❖ Sunnah Supplications Recited at the Beginning of Salah
After Folding Hands Over the Chest
At the beginning of Salah, after saying Takbeer al-Tahreema and before recitation of the Qur’an, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to recite specific opening supplications (du‘āʾ al-istiftāḥ). These supplications, reported authentically from the Prophet ﷺ by the Companions, express praise for Allah, purification from sins, and humble devotion.
➊ Supplication for Purification from Sins
Narrator: Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه
◈ Hadith:
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to remain silent for a brief moment between the initial Takbeer and the recitation.
I asked: “May my parents be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, what do you recite in that pause?”
He ﷺ replied:
اَللّٰهُمَّ بَاعِدْ بَیْنِيْ وَبَیْنَ خَطَایَايَ كَمَا بَاعَدتَّ بَیْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ، اَللّٰهُمَّ نَقِّنِيْ مِنَ الْخَطَایَا كَمَا یُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الْأَبْیَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، اَللّٰهُمَّ اغْسِلْ خَطَایَايَ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ
◈ Translation:
“O Allah! Create a distance between me and my sins just as You have distanced the East from the West.
O Allah! Purify me from sins as a white garment is cleansed from filth.
O Allah! Wash away my sins with water, snow, and hail.”
Reference:
Bukhari: 447 – Book of Adhan, Muslim: 895
➋ Comprehensive Praise and Glorification
Narrator: Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما
◈ Hadith:
During prayer, a man said behind the Prophet ﷺ:
ﷲُ أَكْبَرُ كَبِیْرًا، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ كَثِیْرًا، وَسُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِیْلًا
◈ Translation:
“Allah is the Greatest, very Great!
All praise is for Allah, in abundance!
And Glory be to Allah, morning and evening!”
Upon hearing this, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“The gates of the heavens have been opened for this.”
Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما said:
“Since I heard this from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, I have never abandoned these words.”
Reference:
Muslim: 106 – Book of Masajid, Chapter: What to Say Between Takbeer and Recitation
➌ Opening Supplication of Salah
Narrator: ‘Ā’ishah رضي الله عنها
◈ Hadith:
‘Ā’ishah رضي الله عنها reported:
When the Prophet ﷺ would begin his Salah, he would recite:
سُبْحَانَكَ اللّٰهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالٰى جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلٰهَ غَیْرُكَ
◈ Translation:
“Glory be to You, O Allah, and all praise is Yours.
Blessed is Your Name, exalted is Your Majesty.
There is none worthy of worship besides You.”
Reference:
Tirmidhi: 342 – Book of Salah,
Abu Dawud: 677,
Ibn Majah: 608 – Book of Establishing Prayer
Authenticated by al-Hakim (1/532) and Imam al-Dhahabi.
