During Ramadan, Muslims all over the world pray long night prayers shoulder to shoulder, and many are left wondering what to recite and what supplications to make. This guide explains the dua in taraweeh that Muslims generally recite. It has clear Arabic, transliteration, meaning and translations in English and Urdu so that you can pray with understanding and concentration.
What Is Taraweeh?
Taraweeh is the special night prayer of Ramadan. It is performed in congregation after Isha and before Witr. The word comes from ‘rest’ because worshippers traditionally rested after every four rak’ahs. Most mosques have eight or twenty rak’ahs, and many complete the recitation of the entire Quran over the month. This is a Sunnah of great reward. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever prays in Ramadan out of faith and hoping for reward, his previous sins will be forgiven” (Bukhari and Muslim).
Is There a Fixed Supplication Between the Rak’ahs?
Many people look for the dua in taraweeh prayer as if it is one set text, but it is useful to be clear about what is established. There is no authentic narration in which the Prophet (saw) prescribed a particular du’a to be recited after every four rak’ahs. The tasbeeh below is an ancient practice, especially among the Hanafi tradition, and it is a collection of beautiful praise of Allah and a request for safety from the Fire. You can recite with a clear heart, but in the breaks you can use any dhikr, istighfar or personal dua.
If you are wondering which dua to recite in taraweeh when you are actually in the prayer, the answer is the Quran being recited along with the usual words in ruku, sujood and the final sitting. Sujood in particular is a time the Prophet ﷺ encouraged us to make more duaa.
Taraweeh Dua in Arabic
The following tasbeeh is the most common taraweeh dua in Arabic recited between sets of four rak’ahs. Whether you are looking for dua for taraweeh in Arabic or taraweeh ki dua in Arabic, this is the text most people mean.
Arabic:
سُبْحَانَ ذِي الْمُلْكِ وَالْمَلَكُوتِ
سُبْحَانَ ذِي الْعِزَّةِ وَالْعَظَمَةِ وَالْهَيْبَةِ وَالْقُدْرَةِ وَالْكِبْرِيَاءِ وَالْجَبَرُوتِ
سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِكِ الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لَا يَنَامُ وَلَا يَمُوتُ
سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ
اللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْنِي مِنَ النَّارِ، يَا مُجِيرُ، يَا مُجِيرُ، يَا مُجِيرُ
Transliteration:
Subhana dhil-mulki wal-malakut. Subhana dhil-izzati wal-azamati wal-haybati wal-qudrati wal-kibriya’i wal-jabarut. Subhanal-Malikil-Hayyil-ladhi la yanamu wa la yamut. Subbuhun Quddusun, Rabbuna wa Rabbul-mala’ikati war-ruh. Allahumma ajirni minan-nar, ya Mujir, ya Mujir, ya Mujir.
This dua taraweeh (English Transliteration) is for those who cannot read Arabic script comfortably yet. The quickest way to learn it is to listen to a reciter and repeat line by line.
Taraweeh Dua in English
The English taraweeh dua below is a translation of the meaning of the Arabic tasbeeh. This is what people mean by the taraweeh ki dua in English that is recited in many households.
English meaning:
Glory be to the Owner of the Kingdom and the realm of dominion.
Glory be to the Owner of might, greatness, awe, power, majesty and sovereignty.
Glory be to the King, the Ever-Living, who neither sleeps nor dies.
Most Glorified, Most Holy, our Lord and the Lord of the angels and the Spirit.
O Allah, protect me from the Fire. O Protector, O Protector, O Protector.
If you want the meaning of ‘taraweeh dua’ in English in simple terms: the first three lines say that Allah is perfect, all-powerful and eternally alive; the last line asks Him to save you from Hellfire. To grasp this meaning is what makes a memorised phrase a heartfelt act of worship.
This tasbeeh can also be called dua e taraweeh in English. Some mosques write it on their notice boards as ‘tasbeeh taraweeh dua’ in English. They all mean the same words. The best dua for taraweeh in English is to speak honestly to Allah in the language that you are most comfortable with.
Dua in Between Taraweeh Prayer
The pauses are a good time for dhikr and reflection, and the dua between the taraweeh prayer rounds is an opportunity to refresh your focus before the next set. Look at the dua in between taraweeh like an opportunity and not a ritual to be rushed through. In addition to the tasbeeh above, you can also recite any of the following short and beautiful supplications.
A comprehensive dua for this world and the next:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire. (Quran 2:201)
Asking for Paradise and refuge from the Fire:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ
O Allah, I ask You for Paradise, and I seek refuge in You from the Fire.
Seeking forgiveness:
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Magnificent; there is no god but Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer, and I turn to Him in repentance.
Dua After 4 Rakat Taraweeh in English
After every four rak’ahs, there is a short break, so many worshippers find themselves searching for the dua after 4 rakats of taraweeh in English. Here is an easy pattern for you to follow:
- Or say the above tasbeeh in Arabic or think of the meaning in English.
- Send blessings on the Prophet (PBUH).
- Make a short personal dua in your own words for forgiveness, guidance and the good of both worlds.
For example, you can say in English: “O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, protect me from the Fire and admit me to Paradise. Pause calmly and leisurely, and you will return to the next four rak’ahs with a fresh heart.
Dua After Taraweeh in English
The dua after taraweeh in English for Witr, which most congregations say immediately after the last of the taraweeh. These are the prayers normally said at this stage.
Dua Qunoot (recited in the final rak’ah of Witr in the Hanafi tradition):
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ وَنُثْنِي عَلَيْكَ الْخَيْرَ وَنَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ يَفْجُرُكَ
اللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّي وَنَسْجُدُ وَإِلَيْكَ نَسْعَى وَنَحْفِدُ وَنَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشَى عَذَابَكَ إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ بِالْكُفَّارِ مُلْحِقٌ
O Allah, we seek Your help and Your forgiveness. We believe in You and rely on You. We praise You with all good and thank You, and we do not deny You. We cast off and forsake whoever disobeys You. O Allah, You alone we worship; to You we pray and prostrate; to You we hasten and strive. We hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment, for Your punishment will surely overtake the disbelievers.
Other schools of thought may recite a different qunoot, so follow your imam and your school.
After Witr: The Prophet ﷺ used to say the following three times, raising his voice and lengthening the last time (reported by Nasa’i):
سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ
Glory be to the King, the Most Holy.
For the last ten nights of Ramadan: Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked what she should say if she found Laylat al-Qadr, and the Prophet ﷺ taught her this dua (Tirmidhi):
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
O Allah, You are most forgiving and love to forgive, so forgive me.
Taraweeh Ki Dua in Urdu
اگر آپ اردو میں مفہوم سمجھنا چاہتے ہیں تو taraweeh ki dua in urdu کا ترجمہ یہ ہے:
پاک ہے وہ ذات جو بادشاہی اور عالمِ ملکوت کی مالک ہے۔
پاک ہے وہ جو عزت، عظمت، ہیبت، قدرت، کبریائی اور جبروت والا ہے۔
پاک ہے وہ بادشاہ جو زندہ ہے، نہ سوتا ہے اور نہ مرتا ہے۔
نہایت پاک، نہایت مقدس، ہمارا رب اور فرشتوں اور روح (جبریل) کا رب۔
اے اللہ! مجھے آگ سے پناہ دے، اے پناہ دینے والے، اے پناہ دینے والے، اے پناہ دینے والے۔
How to Make Your Taraweeh More Meaningful
- Discover its meaning. Even a short translation of what you say changes the way you feel in prayer.
- Follow the Qur’an. Read the translation of the recited portion of the prayer that night, preferably before or after the prayer.
- Set your personal duas. Write down what you want to ask Allah for so you don’t get distracted in the breaks.
- Rest, eat, hydrate. A light iftar and enough water make you present for the entire prayer.
- Stick to your guns. It is better to establish a constant habit throughout the month than to pray long on some nights and miss the others.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- The obligation of the tasbeeh or forcing others to do tasbeeh. It’s a tradition, not a requirement.
- Quickly through the Arabic, not thinking.
- Speaking loudly during breaks, disturbing others who are praying or reciting quietly.
- You are waiting for the “official” break to make your dua, and you miss out on sujood as a time of dua.
Common Questions and Answers
Is there a particular tasbeeh that we have to recite between the rak’ahs?
No, many do this, but you may recite any dhikr, istighfar or dua, or rest quietly.
Can I recite dua in my language in Taraweeh?
Sure. In sujood and in between, you can ask Allah in any language you understand. You need the Arabic words in the prayer itself, in the parts that are recited.
How many rak’ahs for taraweeh?
Both eight and twenty rak’ahs are practised globally, and both are supported by scholars. Follow the practice of your mosque and your school.
What do I do if I do not know the Arabic?
Start by memorising one line at a time, use the transliteration, and keep a short translation with you so you know what you are saying.
Is the qunoot recited in every rak’ah?
No, it is recited in the last rak’ah of Witr, and some schools only recite it in the second half of Ramadan or at other times, so follow your imam’s practice.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of Taraweeh is not in the exact words of any du’aa but rather in the presence of the heart. Learn the tasbeeh, know its meaning, make personal duas with your heart in your own words, and keep your focus on Allah all night. May Allah accept your fasting and your night prayers, forgive your sins and give you Laylat al-Qadr.
