Ṣalāt al-Ḥājah—the Prayer of Need

Q: Is there a specific prayer I can perform when I have a need or concern, whether with Allah or with another person?

A: Yes. In the Hanbali school, it is recommended (sunnah) to perform Ṣalāt al-Ḥājah—the Prayer of Need—whenever a person faces a significant concern, whether seeking relief or success from Allah ﷻ or needing assistance in a matter involving another person.

The recommended method is:

1. Perform wuḍūʾ with care and excellence.

2. Pray two rakʿahs of voluntary prayer.

3. Praise Allah and send ṣalawāt upon the Prophet ﷺ.

4. Then recite the following supplication:

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْحَلِيمُ الْكَرِيمُ، لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ، الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، أَسْأَلُكَ مُوجِبَاتِ رَحْمَتِكَ، وَعَزَائِمَ مَغْفِرَتِكَ، وَالْغَنِيمَةَ مِنْ كُلِّ بِرٍّ، وَالسَّلَامَةَ مِنْ كُلِّ إِثْمٍ، لَا تَدَعْ لِي ذَنْبًا إِلَّا غَفَرْتَهُ، وَلَا هَمًّا إِلَّا فَرَّجْتَهُ، وَلَا حَاجَةً هِيَ لَكَ رِضًا إِلَّا قَضَيْتَهَا يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.

Transliteration:

Lā ilāha illā Allāhu al-Ḥalīmu al-Karīm. Lā ilāha illā Allāhu al-ʿAliyyu al-ʿAẓīm. Subḥāna Allāhi Rabb al-ʿArsh al-ʿAẓīm. Al-ḥamdu lillāhi Rabbi al-ʿĀlamīn. Asʾaluk mujibāti raḥmatik, wa ʿazāʾima maghfiratik, wa al-ghanīmata min kulli birrin, wa al-salāmata min kulli ithmin. Lā tadaʿ lī dhanban illā ghafartahu, wa lā hamman illā farrajtahu, wa lā ḥājatan hiya laka riḍan illā qaḍaytahā yā Arḥama al-Rāḥimīn.

Translation:

There is no god but Allah, al-Ḥalīmu al-Karīm (the Forbearing, the Generous).There is no god but Allah, al-ʿAliyyu al-ʿAẓīm (the Most High, the Magnificent). Glory be to Allah, Lord of the Mighty Throne. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. I ask You for the means that bring about raḥmatik (Your mercy), and the resolutions that bring about Your forgiveness, and the bounty from every form of goodness, and safety from every sin. Do not leave for me any sin except that You forgive it, nor any worry except that You relieve it,nor any need—pleasing to You—except that You fulfill it, yā Arḥama al-Rāḥimīn (O Most Merciful of the merciful).

Source: Sharḥ Muntahā al-Irādāt & Kashshāf al-Qināʿ