Palestine is a land steeped in history, faith, and struggle. For decades, the Palestinian people have endured unimaginable hardships, living under constant fear and insecurity. As conflicts escalate and peace remains elusive, Muslims around the world turn to one of their most powerful tools—dua (supplication). Making dua for Palestine is an act of solidarity, empathy, and faith, a means of seeking divine intervention in the face of overwhelming adversity.
In this blog post, we will explore the significance of making dua and have included some specific supplications that can be recited, with each dua for Palestine in English, and how these prayers can serve as a source of strength and hope for both the oppressed and those who stand with them.
The Power of Dua
Dua is a fundamental aspect of Islamic worship. It is the act of calling upon Allah SWT for help, guidance, and mercy. Dua is not just a ritual but a profound expression of a believer’s trust in the wisdom and power of Allah SWT. When words and actions seem insufficient in the face of the suffering and injustice in Palestine, dua becomes a powerful recourse.
The Prophet Muhammad SAW emphasized the importance of dua, stating, “Dua is the essence of worship” (Tirmidhi). In times of crisis, Muslims are encouraged to turn to Allah SWT with sincerity and humility, asking for relief, protection, and justice for the oppressed.
Why Make Dua for Palestine?
Making dua for Palestine is not only an act of empathy but also a religious obligation to stand against oppression and injustice. The Prophet Muhammad SAW reminded us that the Ummah (global Muslim community) is like one body; when one part is in pain, the whole body feels it. Thus, the suffering of Palestinians should resonate deeply with every Muslim.
Al-Nu’man ibn Bashir reported: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever.” [Sahih Bukhari and Muslim].
By making dua for Palestine, we are not only seeking Allah’s intervention in a dire situation but also reaffirming our belief in the power of prayer. It is a way to connect spiritually with our brothers and sisters in Palestine, offering them our support in the form of supplication, even if we are unable to assist physically or politically.
Specific Duas for Palestine in English
Here are some specific duas that can be recited for the people of Palestine. These prayers call upon Allah for protection, justice, and peace.
1. Dua for Protection from Oppression
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ ظُلْمِ الْمُلْكِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ الْقَهَّارِ
Transliteration: Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min dhulmil-mulk, wa min sharri al-qahhar.
Translation: “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the injustice of rulers and from the evil of the One who exercises power.”
2. Dua for Forgiveness
اللهُـمِّ اغْفِـرْ لِحَيِّـنا وَمَيِّتِـنا وَشـاهِدِنا، وَغائِبِـنا، وَصَغيـرِن وَكَبيـرِنا، وَذَكَـرِنا وَأُنْثـانا. اللهُـمِّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْـتَهُ مِنّا فَأَحْيِـهِ عَلى الإِسْلام، وَمَن تَوَفَّـيْتََهُ مِنّا فَتَوَفَّـهُ عَلى الإِيـمان، اللهُـمِّ لا تَحْـرِمْنـا أَجْـرَه، وَلا تُضِـلَّنا بَعْـدَه
Transliteration: Allahum-maghfir lihayyinaa, wa mayyitinaa, wa shaahidinaa, wa ghaa’ibinaa, wa sagheerinaa wa kabeerinaa, wa thakarinaa wa ‘unthaanaa. Allahumma man ‘ahyaytahu minnaa fa’ahyihi ‘alal-‘Islaami, wa man tawaffaytahu minnaa fatawaffahu ‘alal-‘eemaani, Allahumma laa tahrimnaa ‘ajrahu wa laa tudhillanaa ba’dahu. [Sahih Abu Dawud: 3201 and Tirmidhi: 1024]
Translation: “Oh Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those present and those absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whom among us You keep alive, then let such a life be upon Islam, and whom among us You take unto Yourself, then let such a death be upon faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not let us stray after him.”
3. Dua for the Martyred
اللهُـمِّ اغْفِـرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْـه ، وَعافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْـه ، وَأَكْـرِمْ نُزُلَـه ، وَوَسِّـعْ مُدْخَـلَه ، وَاغْسِلْـهُ بِالْمـاءِ وَالثَّـلْجِ وَالْبَـرَدْ ، وَنَقِّـهِ مِنَ الْخطـايا كَما نَـقّيْتَ الـثَّوْبَ الأَبْيَـضَ مِنَ الدَّنَـسْ ، وَأَبْـدِلْهُ داراً خَـيْراً مِنْ دارِه ، وَأَهْلاً خَـيْراً مِنْ أَهْلِـه ، وَزَوْجَـاً خَـيْراً مِنْ زَوْجِه ، وَأَدْخِـلْهُ الْجَـنَّة ، وَأَعِـذْهُ مِنْ عَذابِ القَـبْر وَعَذابِ النّـار
Transliteration: Allaahum-maghfir lahu warhamhu, wa ‘aafihi, wa’fu ‘anhu, wa ‘akrim nuzulahu, wa wassi’ mudkhalahu, waghsilhu bilmaa’i waththalji walbaradi, wa naqqihi minal-khataayaa kamaa naqqaytath-thawbal-‘abyadha minad-danasi, wa ‘abdilhu daaran khayran min daarihi, wa ‘ahlan khayran min ‘ahlihi, wa zawjan khayran min zawjihi, wa ‘adkhilhul-jannata, wa ‘a’udhu min ‘adhabil-qabri wa ‘athaabin-naar. [Sahih Muslim]
Translation: “O Allah, forgive them and have mercy on them and give them strength and pardon them. Be generous to them and cause their entrance to be wide and wash them with water and snow and hail. Cleanse them of their transgressions as white cloth is cleansed of stains. Give them an abode better than their home, and a family better than their family and a spouse better than their spouse. Take them into Paradise and protect them from the punishment of the grave, and from the punishment of Hell-fire.”
4. Dua Against Enemies
اللَّهُمَّ مُنْزِلَ الْكِتَاب
سَرِيعَ الْحِسَاب
اهْزِم الأَحْزَاب
اللَّهُمَّ اهْزِمْهُمْ وَ زَلْزِلْهُم
Transliteration: Allāhumma munzila ‘l-kitāb, sarī`a ‘l-ḥisāb, ihzimi ‘l-aḥzāb, Allāhumma-hzimhum wa zalzilhum.
Translation: “O Allah, Revealer of the Book, Swift to account, defeat the groups (of disbelievers). O Allah, defeat them and shake them.”
The Role of Dua in Activism
While dua is a spiritual act, it also plays an important role in activism. It is a reminder that while we do everything within our power to help those in need—through donations, advocacy, and raising awareness—we also rely on Allah’s will and wisdom.
Making dua for Palestine does not negate the need for practical efforts to support the Palestinian cause. Rather, it complements these efforts, imbuing them with spiritual purpose and reminding us of the greater context of our actions. Dua connects our worldly actions to our faith, ensuring that our activism is rooted in the principles of justice, compassion, and humility.
Conclusion: Dua as a Lifeline for Palestine
In times of strife, when news of violence and suffering in Palestine feels overwhelming, turning to dua offers a sense of hope and agency. It allows us to seek divine assistance, express our solidarity, and draw strength from our faith. Making dua for Palestine is not only a spiritual duty but also a powerful tool for resilience and resistance against oppression.
For those of us far from the conflict, dua bridges the gap, allowing us to connect with the pain of our brothers and sisters in Palestine and to offer them our support in the most meaningful way we can. It serves as a reminder that no matter how dire the situation may seem, there is always hope when we place our trust in Allah.
Remember, you can make dua for Palestine in English as well as Arabic, praying for peace, for justice, and for the well-being of all those who are suffering. May our prayers be answered, and may we see a day when Palestine is free, and its people can live in peace and dignity. Ameen.