Salatul Hajat: Muslims have been obligated to perform Salah five times a day, Allah SWT does not need these prayers but it is us who need His blessings and guidance. Apart from these obligatory prayers, Islam places great importance on Nafil (which is a type of optional salah).
How to Pray Salatul Hajat?
In our last post we talked about Sunnah Fasting & Its Benefits and today we shall focus on salatul hajat and its benefits. The optional prayers are means to gain something extra or as a bonus, which includes Salat e Istikhara, Tahajjud, and Ishraq (post-sunrise prayer, performed roughly 15 to 20 minutes after sunrise, once the sun has fully risen).
This is where an extraordinary prayer called Salatul hajaat (the prayer of need) comes in. Salatul Hajat is a simple yet powerful prayer to beg Allah SWT for your hajaat (need).
1 – Is Salat Ul Hajat Authentic?
It should be pointed out that the prayer which is in question is a special type of prayer, described in the following Hadith:
“Whoever needs something to be done by Allah or by a human being should perfectly perform ablution and offer two voluntary rakaahs. He follows that by glorifying Allah SWT and send salutations upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He then says:
There is no god but Allah the Clement and Wise.
There is no god but Allah the High and Mighty.
Glory be to Allah, Lord of the Tremendous Throne.
All praise is to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
I ask you (O Allah) everything that leads to your mercy, and your tremendous forgiveness, enrichment in all good, and freedom from all sin.
Do not leave a sin of mine (O Allah), except that you forgive it, nor any concern except that you create for it an opening, nor any need in which there is your good pleasure except that you fulfill it, O Most Merciful!
TIRMIDHI & IBN MAJAH
Please note that this hadith is graded weak (da’if) by al-Tirmidhi himself and by many later scholars, because of a weak narrator in its chain. Some scholars still allow acting on such narrations for virtuous deeds and supplication, while others do not, so this is a matter on which scholars differ. An explanation goes to show that a hadith being classified as ‘dhaeef (weak)’ does not mean that it is fabricated, or unacceptable. Al-Tirmidhi described it as gharib, meaning it is reported through a single line of transmission, and its chain includes a narrator (Fa’id ibn Abd al-Rahman) whom scholars consider weak. A weak hadith is not the same as a fabricated one, which is why some scholars allow acting on it for supplication and virtuous deeds while others do not. Many jurists across the schools, including the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali traditions, mention this prayer as recommended, while some contemporary scholars consider the hadith too weak to rely on. It is not a fabricated report, and it should not be called an innovation lightly, but you may follow the opinion of the scholar you trust.
2 – How To Pray Salatul Hajat?
The way to be described on how to pray Salatul Hajat is mentioned in Hadith and also derived from the way of the pious. The prayer of need is very simple: It begins with
- Make Wudhu (abulution)
- Perform 2 rakahs of prayer- with the intention of Salatul Hajat
- Praise Allah SWT
- Send blessings and peace upon the Messenger ﷺ.
- Recite the following dua
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْحَلِيمُ الْكَرِيمُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ أَسْأَلُكَ مُوجِبَاتِ رَحْمَتِكَ وَعَزَائِمَ مَغْفِرَتِكَ وَالْغَنِيمَةَ مِنْ كُلِّ بِرٍّ وَالسَّلَامَةَ مِنْ كُلِّ إِثْمٍ لَا تَدَعْ لِي ذَنْبَاً إِلَّا غَفَرْتَهُ وَلَا هَمَّاً إِلَّا فَرَّجْتَهُ وَلَا حَاجَةً هِيَ لَكَ رِضَاً إِلَّا قَضَيْتَهَا يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ
- Ask Allah SWT for your need, if circumstances do not allow you to pray, you can still turn to Allah SWT recite the dua and raise your hands in supplication.
For further guidance, you can watch the below video and also go through these Tips For Acceptance Of Dua.
3 – Is Salatul Hajat Meant For Any Specific Need?
Salat al-Hajat is simply to ask Allah SWT to help you with some pressing matter. It’s not about making choices or decisions. It is only to ask for Allah SWTs assistance when in time of hardships and need. You can ask Allah SWT for anything your heart desires, ranging from new clothes to asking Allah for a spouse. This prayer is meant for everything. But the key is to believe in the dua you make and following the Sunnah on how to make dua and then trust that Allah answers in the way and at the time He knows is best.
4 – Is There Any Specific Time For Salatul Hajat?
No there isn’t any specific time to pray Salatul Hajat but it should be avoided being prayed at the times forbidden by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ :
5- What If I Don’t Accept The Authenticity Of This Salah?
Due to some disagreements between scholars, some people have a hard time making this prayer a part of their lives. It needs to be remembered, the only reason to perform Nafil prayers is to purify one`s heart from all wrongdoings and become closer to Allah SWT by attaining His blessings. This prayer isn’t obligatory that leaving it out of your life will displease Allah SWT, you can still turn to Allah SWT in supplication in many ways and times mentioned in Quran and Sunnah, Best Times To Make Dua.
May Allah SWT grant us His guidance to pray to Him most rightfully!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many rakahs is Salatul Hajat?
The narration speaks of two rakahs, which are prayed like any voluntary prayer, followed by the dua. Some scholars mention praying more, but the narration only specifies two.
Is the hadith of Salatul Hajat authentic?
It is graded weak by al-Tirmidhi and many scholars. Some jurists allow acting on it for virtuous deeds, while others prefer to make general voluntary prayer and dua instead. Follow the view of a qualified scholar you trust.
When is the best time to pray Salatul Hajat?
There is no fixed time, but avoid the times when voluntary prayer is prohibited. Many people choose the last part of the night, a time when dua is especially hopeful.
Can I make the dua in my own language?
You can say the transmitted Arabic dua and also ask Allah for your needs in your own words, since He understands every language.
What if my need is not fulfilled?
Allah may answer in a different way, delay the answer, or give something better. Keep making dua with patience, as discussed in our post on asking Allah for forgiveness.