What Is Dua? Personal Prayer in Islam

Dua (Arabic: دعاء) is pronounced du-AA. It literally means “calling” or “invoking”.

Meaning

Dua is the personal prayer of a believer: asking God for help, guidance, health, forgiveness, or simply pouring out what is in your heart. It is different from salah, the set daily prayer with fixed movements and words. Salah has a set form and times; dua can be made anywhere, at any moment, and in any language.

In Islam there is no priest or saint standing between a person and God. Anyone can speak to Him directly, and the Qur’an promises that He is close:

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ ﴿١٨٦﴾

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.

Muslims understand that God answers every sincere dua in the way He knows is best — by granting it, by giving something better, or by turning away a harm.

How Muslims use it

Many Muslims raise their open palms when making dua. They often begin by praising God and sending blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, then ask for what they need. There are beautiful prayers taught in the Qur’an and by the Prophet ﷺ that Muslims memorise, but simple words in your own language are just as welcome. Muslims also pray for others — family, friends, the sick and the whole of humanity.

Example

“Please make dua for my mother — she’s in hospital.”

To learn about the set daily prayer, read How to Pray, and for the God Muslims call upon, see Who Is Allah?