Our beloved Prophet 
has emphasized on dua and dhikr as main parts of the believers’ daily routines. He taught us many adhkar (remembrances of Allah 
) that are easy to do and also bring immense barakah into one’s life.
Remembering Allah and speaking to Him ensures peace and serenity of the mind, as well as, success in this life and the Hereafter. Reciting dhikr throughout the day as we carry out our routine tasks shields us from sins as we become more heedful of Allah .
The psychology behind adhkar
Duke University’s Harold G. Koenig, M.D., reported that over 1,500 reputable medical studies indicate that people who are religious and pray more have better mental and physical health. He added, “The benefits of devout religious practice, particularly involvement in a faith community and religious commitment, are that people cope better. In general, they cope with stress better, they experience greater well-being because they have more hope, they’re more optimistic, they experience less depression, less anxiety, and they commit suicide less often. They have stronger immune systems, lower blood pressure, and probably better cardiovascular functioning.”
Allah gives us the best and truest form of worship through salah, the Qur’an and dua. We have the keys to a peaceful and productive life when we sincerely submit to Allah and make these a regular part of our lives. If prayers said in our own words can have a powerful effect on well-being, what about specific prayers taught to us by the final Messenger of God ? The aim of such adhkar is peace, serenity, and contentment in one’s life by having a constant connection to Allah . Having a good well-being and state of mind is the root to productivity in all areas, and there is no better source of happiness in our lives than with Allah .
The Prophet
said:
“Should I not inform you of the best of your deed, and the purest of them with your Master, and the highest of them in your ranks, and what is better for you than spending gold and silver, and better for you than meeting your enemy and striking their necks, and they strike your necks?” They said: “Of course.” He
.” [Jami at-Tirmidhi]
Note that being in a state of wudu (ablution) is not required to perform these types of dhikr, although it is recommended.
Adhkar for any time of the day
1. A palm tree planted for you in Paradise
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ
Transliteration: Subhaanallaahil-‘adheemi wa bihamdihi
Translation: Glorified is Allah, the Most Greatest and praised is He
The benefit: the Prophet said,
“For him who says: ‘Subhan-Allahi wa bi hamdihi (Allah is free from imperfection, and I begin with praising Him, and to Him),’ a palm-tree will be planted in Jannah.” [Jami at-Tirmidhi]
2. The reward of freeing a slave and protection from Shaytan
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Transliteration: Laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa ‘alaa kulli shay’in Qadeer.
Translation: None has the right to be worshiped but Allah alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and His are the praise and He is Able to do all things.
The benefit: The Prophet Muhammad said:
“If anyone says in the morning: ‘There is no god but Allah alone Who has no partner; to Him belong the dominions, to Him praise is due, and He is Omnipotent,’ he will have a reward equivalent to that for setting free a slave from among the descendants of Isma’il. He will have ten good deeds recorded for him, ten evil deeds deducted from him, he will be advanced ten degrees, and will be guarded against the Devil till the evening. If he says them in the evening, he will have a similar recompense till the morning.” [Sunan Abi Dawud]
3. To have barakah in your food
Before you begin eating: بِسْمِ اللَّه
If you forget: بِسْمِ اللَّه أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ
Transliteration: Bismillah; Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu
Translation: In the Name of Allah; I begin with the Name of Allah at the beginning and at the end
The benefit: Allah’s Messenger said:
When a person enters his house and mentions the name of Allah at the time of entering it and while eating the food, Satan says (addressing himself: You have no place to spend the night and no evening meal; but when he enters without mentioning the name of Allah, the Satan says: You have found a place to spend the night, and when he does not mention the name of Allah while eating food, he (the Satan) says: You have found a place to spend the night and evening meal. [Sahih Muslim]
4. Light on the tongue, heavy on the scales
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ
Transliteration: Subhaanal-laahi wa bihamdih Subhaanal-laahil-‘Adheem
Translation: Glorified is God and praised is He, Glorified is God the Most Greatest
The benefit: Our Prophet Muhammad said in a famous hadith:
“There are two statements that are light for the tongue to remember, heavy in the scales and are dear to the Merciful: ‘Subhaanal-laahi wa bihamdihi, Subhaanal-laahil-‘Adheem (Glory be to Allah and His is the praise, (and) Allah, the Greatest is free from imperfection)’.” [Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
5. For energy, optimism, spiritual strength and good memory
أعوذُ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ
Transliteration: A’uuthu billaahi minashshaytanir rajeem
Translation: I seek the protection of Allah from Satan the outcast
The benefit: The Qur’an and sunnah teach us that shaytan uses plenty of tricks to make us feel lazy, scared, pessimistic, angry, distracted, and forgetful. Saying “a’uuthu billaahi minashshaytanir rajeem” protects us from the tricks of Shaytan. To learn more about this, watch this video by Shaykh Yasir Qadhi
6. Asking Allah for health and well being
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَاىَ وَأَهْلِي وَمَالِي اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُرْ عَوْرَاتِي وَآمِنْ رَوْعَاتِي وَاحْفَظْنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَىَّ وَمِنْ خَلْفِي وَعَنْ يَمِينِي وَعَنْ شِمَالِي وَمِنْ فَوْقِي وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أُغْتَالَ مِنْ تَحْتِي
Transliteration: Allahumma inni as’alukal-‘afwa wal-‘afiyah fid-dunya wal-akhirah. Allahumma inni as’alukal-‘afwa wal-‘afiyah fi dini wa dunyaya wa ahli wa mali. Allahum-mastur ‘awrati, wa amin raw’ati wahfazni min bayni yadayya, wa min khalfi, wa ‘an yamini wa ‘an shimali, wa min fawqi, wa ‘audhu bika an ughtala min tahti
Translation: O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and well-being in this world and in the Hereafter. O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and well-being in my religious and my worldly affairs. O Allah, conceal my faults, calm my fears, and protect me from before me and behind me, from my right and my left, and from above me, and I seek refuge in You from being taken unaware from beneath me
The benefit: It was narrated that Ibn Umar 
said: “The Messenger of Allah never abandoned these supplications, every morning and evening: Allahumma inni as’alukal-‘afwa wal-‘afiyah fid-dunya wal-akhirah. Allahumma inni as’alukal-‘afwa wal-‘afiyah fi dini wa dunyaya wa ahli wa mali. Allahum-mastur ‘awrati, wa amin raw’ati wahfazni min bayni yadayya, wa min khalfi, wa ‘an yamini wa ‘an shimali, wa min fawqi, wa ‘audhu bika an ughtala min tahti (O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and well-being in this world and in the Hereafter. O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and well-being in my religious and my worldly affairs. O Allah, conceal my faults, calm my fears, and protect me from before me and behind me, from my right and my left, and from above me, and I seek refuge in You from being taken unaware from beneath me).” [Sunan Ibn Majah]
Additionally, after the death of the Prophet Muhammad , this dua was still remembered and recommended to the people. Al ‘Afiyah is the general term for good health, protection, safety and contentment, and is something that every human strives for in their lives. It was narrated that, “Abu Bakr stood upon the Minbar, then wept, and said: ‘The Messenger of Allah stood upon the Minbar the first year (of Hijrah), then wept, and said: “Ask Allah for pardon and Al-`Afiyah, for verily, none has been given anything better than Al-`Afiyah.’” [Jami at-Tirmidhi]
7. To be pleased on The Day of Judgement
رَضِيتُ باللهِ رَبَّاً، وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِيناً، وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ صَلَى اللهُ عَلِيهِ وَسَلَّمَ نَبِيَّاً
Transliteration: Radheetu billaahi Rabban, wa bil-‘Islaami deenan, wa bi-Muhammadin (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) Nabiyyan
Translation: I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as my religion and with Muhammad as my Prophet.
The benefit: Prophet Muhammad said:
“Allah has promised that anyone who says this three times every morning or evening will be pleased on the Day of Resurrection.” [Sunan Ibn Majah]
8. A solution for all of your worries
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
Transliteration: ‘Astaghfirullaaha wa ‘atoobu ‘ilayhi
Translation: I seek the forgiveness of Allah and repent to Him.
The benefit: Prophet Muhammad said:
“Sometimes I perceive a veil over my heart, and I supplicate Allah for forgiveness a hundred times in a day.” [Sahih Muslim].
Asking for forgiveness is a major source of barakah and a cause for success in this life and the Hereafter.
9. Say this once to be blessed ten times
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى نَّبينا مُحَمَّد
Transliteration: Allahumma salli wa sallim ‘alaa nabiyyinaa Muhammadin
Translation: O Allah, please send your blessings and peace on our Prophet Muhammad
The benefit: Prophet Muhammad said, “he who sends blessings on me once, Allah sends him blessings ten times.” [Sunan an-Nasa’i]
10. The most beloved words to Allah
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ لاَ اِلهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Translation: Subhaanallaahi, walhamdu lillaahi, wa laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu wallaahu ‘Akbar
Transliteration: Glorified is Allah and the praise is for Allah and there is none worthy of worship but Allah and Allah is the Most Greatest
The benefit: Allah’s Messenger said:
The most beloved words to Allah are four: Subhaanallaah (Glorified is Allah ), Walhamdu lillaah (the praise is for Allah ), Wa laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaah (there is none worthy of worship but Allah ) and Wallaahu ‘Akbar (Allah is the Most Exalted).” [Sahih Muslim]
Adhkar at specific times of the day
1. Upon waking up
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدَ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ للهِ، ولَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ العَلِيِّ الْعَظيِمِ، ربِّ اغْفِرلِي
Transliteration: Laa ‘illaha ‘illallahu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa ‘alaa kulli shay’in Qadeer. Subhaanallahi, walhamdu lillaahi, wa laa ‘ilaha ‘illallahu, wallaahu ‘akbar, wa laa hawla wa laa Quwwata ‘illaa billaahil-‘Aliyyil-‘Adheem, Rabbighfir lee
Translation: There is none worthy of worship but Allah alone, Who has no partner, His is the dominion and to Him belongs all praise, and He is able to do all things. Glory is to Allah. Praise is to Allah. There is none worthy of worship but Allah. Allah is the Most Greatest. There is no might and no power except by Allah’s leave, the Exalted, the Mighty. My Lord, forgive me.
The benefit: Prophet Muhammad :
“Whoever says this will be forgiven, and if he supplicates Allah , his prayer will be answered; if he performs ablution and prays, his prayer will be accepted.” [Sunan Ibn Majah]
2. Protection from calamity, in the morning and evening
بِسْمِ اللهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
Transliteration: Bismillaahil-lathee laa yadhurru ma’as-mihi shay’un fil-‘ardhi wa laa fis-samaa’i wa Huwas-Samee ‘ul- ‘Aleem
Translation: In the name of Allah, Who with His Name nothing can cause harm in the earth nor in the heavens, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing
The benefit: Messenger of Allah said:
“He who recites three times every morning and evening: ‘Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma’as-mihi shai’un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama’i, wa Huwas-Sami’ul-‘Alim (In the Name of Allah with Whose Name there is protection against every kind of harm in the earth or in the heaven, and He is the All-Hearing and All- Knowing),’ nothing will harm him.” [Sunan Abi Dawud and Jami at-Tirmidhi]
3. Before sleeping:
i. Protection from Shaytan during sleep
اللهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
Transliteration: Allaahu laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoom, laa ta’khuthuhu sinatun wa laa nawm, lahu maa fis-samaawaati wa maa fil-‘ardh, man thal-lathee yashfa’u ‘indahu ‘illaa bi’ithnihi, ya’lamu maa bayna ‘aydeehim wa maa khalfahum, wa laa yuheetoona bishay’im-min ‘ilmihi ‘illaa bimaa shaa’a, wasi’a kursiyyuhus-samaawaati wal’ardha, wa laa ya’ooduhu hifdhuhumaa, wa Huwal- ‘Aliyyul- ‘Adheem
Translation: Allah – There is no God but He, the Ever-Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never encompass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most Elevated, the Most Exalted. [Qur’an: Chapter 2, Verse 255]
The benefit: “Whoever reads this when he lies down to sleep will have a guardian from Allah remain with him and Satan will not be able to come near him until he rises in the morning.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
ii. Two verses that will suffice anyone!
آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِنْ رُسُلِهِ وَقَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ (285) لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا اكْتَسَبَتْ رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِنْ نَسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا أَنْتَ مَوْلَانَا فَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ (286)
Transliteration: ‘Aamanar-Rasoolu bimaa ‘unzila ilaihi mir-Rabbihi walmu’minoon, kullun ‘aamana billaahi wa malaa’ikatihi wa Kutubihi wa Rusulihi, laa nufarriqu bayna ‘ahadim-mir-Rusulihi, wa qaaloo sami’naa wa ‘ata’naa ghufraanaka Rabbanaa wa ‘ilaykal-maseer. Laa yukallifullaahu nafsan ‘illaa wus’ahaa, lahaa maa kasabat wa ‘alayhaa mak-tasabat, Rabbanaa laa tu’aakhithnaa ‘in naseenaa ‘aw ‘akhta’naa, Rabbanaa wa laa tahmil ‘alaynaa ‘isran kamaa hamaltahu ‘alal-latheena min qablinaa, Rabbanaa wa laa tuhammilnaa maa laa taaqata lanaa bihi, wa’fu ‘annaa, waghfir lanaa warhamnaa, ‘Anta Mawlaanaa fansurnaa ‘alal-qawmil-kaafireen.
Translation: “The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. They say: “We make no distinction between any of His Messengers,” and they say: “We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return.” Allah burdens not a person beyond what he can bear. He gets the reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned. Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error. Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us. Our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Protector, and help us against the disbelieving people.” [Qur’an: Chapter 2, Verses 285 – 286]
The benefit: The Messenger of Allah :
“These two verses will be sufficient for anyone who recites them at night before sleeping.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
These adkhar are taken from the book “Fortress of the Muslim” by Darussalam Publications. (Click the link to get a free copy!)
These are a few drops of the sea of barakah that come with adhkar. Which adhkar have brought boundless barakah to your life and helped you be more productive? Share with us in the comments!
