Dhikr After Prayer: Benefits & Supplications

The Power of Dhikr After Obligatory Prayers: Benefits, Supplications, and Protection

The Remembrances and Their Virtues After the Obligatory Prayer

Allah Almighty created human beings solely for His worship. Therefore, a believer remembers his Creator and Lord throughout the day and night, engaging in acts of worship. Prayer is not only a worship but also a form of remembrance. In Surah Al-Jumu’ah, verse 9, prayer is described as a form of remembrance. Remembrance (dhikr) is both a spiritual and verbal act of worship aimed at praising, exalting, and glorifying Allah. In return, Allah protects His servants from immorality, harm from both humans and jinn, and blesses them with various rewards.

Allah’s command is clear in the Quran:
وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ (Al-Ankabut: 45)
Translation: “Indeed, the remembrance of Allah is the greatest.”
This shows that remembering Allah is an immense act.

Given the greatness and importance of dhikr, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught us several supplications (adhkar) to be recited after the obligatory prayers. Below, I will outline the key supplications along with their virtues.

Eight Key Times for Dhikr: Bringing Tranquility and Protection

Before sharing the supplications, I would like to emphasize to the public, particularly to women, that there are eight key times when engaging in dhikr brings tranquility to the heart, protection from harm, and guards one against magic and the evil of others. These times include:

1. After performing the five obligatory prayers and engaging in their corresponding dhikr.
2. In the morning and evening by reciting the morning and evening supplications (adhkar).
3. Before sleeping, reciting the prescribed duas for sleep.

If you adhere to these practices, you will, Insha’Allah, be safeguarded from all types of evil. Other occasions for dhikr such as when entering the mosque, leaving the mosque, eating, drinking, entering or leaving the bathroom, and others are also important, but these eight times are particularly significant.

There is an Arabic proverb:
الوقایة خیر من العلاج
This is similar to the English saying: “Prevention is better than cure.”
The point is that if you are diligent in performing dhikr, you will be protected not only spiritually but also from physical illnesses, and a wise person is one who takes precautionary measures.

A hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنهم) mentions:
المَلائِكَةُ تُصَلِّي عَلَى أَحَدِكُمْ مَا دَامَ فِي مُصَلَّاهُ، مَا لَمْ يُحْدِثْ: اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ، اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمْهُ، لَا يَزَالُ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي صَلاةٍ مَا دَامَتِ الصَّلاةُ تَحْبِسُهُ، لَا يَمْنَعُهُ أَنْ يَنْقَلِبَ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ إِلَّا الصَّلاةُ (Sahih al-Bukhari: 659)
Translation: “The angels keep praying for one of you as long as you remain in your place of prayer, saying: ‘O Allah! Forgive him, O Allah! Have mercy on him.’ One of you is considered to be in prayer as long as nothing prevents him from returning to his family except for prayer.”

This hadith highlights that sitting after prayer to engage in dhikr is counted as part of the prayer itself, and the angels continue to pray for the one who engages in this practice. Such a person will never be overcome by sadness, frustration, or despair.

Supplications to Recite After the Obligatory Prayers

Now, I will outline the supplications to be recited after the obligatory prayers:

1. الله أكبر
   Translation: “Allah is the Greatest.”
   Evidence: Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهم) narrated:
   كُنْتُ أَعْرِفُ انْقِضَاءَ صَلاةِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِالتَّكْبِيرِ (Sahih al-Bukhari: 842)
   Translation: “I used to recognize the end of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) prayer by hearing the Takbir (Allah is the Greatest).”
   
2. أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ، اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ، تَبَارَكْتَ ذَا الْجَلاَلِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ
   Translation: “I ask Allah for forgiveness, I ask Allah for forgiveness, I ask Allah for forgiveness. O Allah, You are the Source of Peace, and from You comes peace. Blessed are You, the Lord of Glory and Honor.”
   Evidence: Sayyiduna Thawban (رضي الله عنهم) reported:
   كانَ رَسولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا انصرفَ من صلاتِهِ استغفرَ ثلاثًا وقالَ: اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ تَبَارَكْتَ ذَا الجَلاَلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ (Sahih Muslim: 1334)
3. اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ
   Translation: “O Allah, assist me in remembering You, thanking You, and in worshipping You in the best way.”
   Evidence: Muadh bin Jabal (رضي الله عنهم) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) advised him:
   “لَا تَدَعَنَّ فِي دُبُرِ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ أَنْ تَقُولَ: اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ” (Sunan Abu Dawood: 1522)
4. لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ، اللَّهُمَّ لَا مَانِعَ لِمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَلَا مُعْطِيَ لِمَا مَنَعْتَ وَلَا يَنْفَعُ ذَا الْجَدِّ مِنْكَ الْجَدُّ
   Translation: “There is no deity but Allah alone, with no partner to Him. To Him belongs the dominion and to Him belongs all praise, and He is capable of everything. O Allah, there is no one who can withhold what You give, and no one who can give what You withhold, and no wealth or position benefits from You except Your decree.”
   Evidence: Al-Mughira bin Shu’bah (رضي الله عنهم) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) would say this after every prayer:
   “إِذَا سَلَّمَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ …” (Sahih al-Bukhari: 6330)
5. سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ (۳۳)، الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ (۳۳)، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (۳۳)then recite once

: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Translation: “SubhanAllah (33 times), Alhamdulillah (33 times), Allahu Akbar (33 times), then recite: There is no deity but Allah alone, with no partner to Him. To Him belongs the dominion and to Him belongs all praise, and He is capable of everything.”

Reference:

Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
“Whoever says SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, and Allahu Akbar 33 times after every prayer, this will total ninety-nine words, and to complete one hundred, he should say: ‘La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu al-mulku wa lahu al-hamdu wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir’ (There is no god but Allah, He is One, He has no partners; to Him belongs the dominion, and to Him is all praise, and He has power over all things). His sins will be forgiven even if they are as abundant as the foam of the sea.”
(Sahih Muslim: 1352)

Translation:
Whoever says “SubhanAllah” (33 times), “Alhamdulillah” (33 times), and “Allahu Akbar” (33 times) after every prayer, this makes ninety-nine words. To complete the full hundred, one should say: “La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu al-mulku wa lahu al-hamdu wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir” (There is no god but Allah, He is One, He has no partners; to Him belongs the dominion, and to Him is all praise, and He has power over all things). Then, all of his sins will be forgiven, even if they are as numerous as the foam of the sea.

Second Method of Dhikr:

This dhikr is also found with high virtue in a slightly different format, without the “La ilaha illallah” part. Simply saying:

• SubhanAllah (33 times)
• Alhamdulillah (33 times)
• Allahu Akbar (33 times)

Hadith:
Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) reports that the poor people came to the Prophet (SAW) and said:
“The rich have taken the highest ranks and eternal bliss. They pray as we pray, and fast as we fast, but they have extra wealth, which allows them to perform Hajj, Umrah, go for Jihad, and give charity.”
So the Prophet (SAW) replied, “Shall I not tell you something, if you act upon it, you will surpass those who came before you and no one will surpass you after you, and you will be the best of people as long as you continue doing it, except those who do the same. After every prayer, say SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, and Allahu Akbar 33 times.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 843)

Third Method of Dhikr:

• SubhanAllah (33 times)
• Alhamdulillah (33 times)
• Allahu Akbar (34 times)

Hadith:
Hazrat Ka’b bin Ujrah (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
“There are three things to recite after every obligatory prayer that will never fail the one who recites them: SubhanAllah (33 times), Alhamdulillah (33 times), and Allahu Akbar (34 times).”
(Sahih Muslim: 1349)

Fourth Method of Dhikr:

• SubhanAllah (10 times)
• Alhamdulillah (10 times)
• Allahu Akbar (10 times)

Hadith:
Abdullah ibn Amr (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
“There are two qualities that if a Muslim keeps up with, he will certainly enter Paradise. They are easy to do, but few people practice them. The first is to say ‘SubhanAllah’ (10 times), ‘Alhamdulillah’ (10 times), and ‘Allahu Akbar’ (10 times) after each prayer. This is 150 words on the tongue and 1500 in the scale (on the Day of Judgment). The second is to say ‘Allahu Akbar’ (34 times), ‘Alhamdulillah’ (33 times), and ‘SubhanAllah’ (33 times) before going to bed. This is 100 words on the tongue and 1000 in the scale.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood: 5065)

Translation:
There are two deeds, or habits, that if any Muslim practices, they will certainly enter Paradise. These are easy, yet few people do them. The first is to recite ten times “SubhanAllah,” ten times “Alhamdulillah,” and ten times “Allahu Akbar” after every prayer. This totals 150 times on the tongue and will count as 1500 in the scale of deeds on the Day of Judgment. The second is to say “Allahu Akbar” 34 times, “Alhamdulillah” 33 times, and “SubhanAllah” 33 times before lying down to sleep. This will total 100 times on the tongue, and 1000 in the balance of deeds.

I have seen the Messenger of Allah (SAW) count these on his fingers. The people said: “O Messenger of Allah, how can these deeds be easy, yet so few people do them?” He (SAW) said: “Shaytan comes to one of you when he is about to sleep and makes him fall asleep before he recites them. Shaytan also comes to him during his prayer and reminds him of some other matter before he completes these words.”

Reflection on the Virtue of Dhikr:

It is clear from these hadiths how valuable and virtuous dhikr is after prayers, and especially the final narration which highlights how Shaytan tries to divert a person from reciting these words in order to deprive them of their immense reward. It is important to remember that you can choose any of the methods of dhikr mentioned above, and the order of dhikr is usually: SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, and then Allahu Akbar. However, if the order is ever changed, there is no harm in that, as seen in the last hadith where the order was not strictly followed.

(7) After every prayer, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas once, Surah Al-Falaq once, and Surah An-Nas once.

الإخلاص (Al-Ikhlaas)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ (1) اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ (2) لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ (3) وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ (4)
Translation: Say, “He is Allah, [Who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, and there is none comparable to Him.”

الفلق (Al-Falaq)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ (1) مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ (2) وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ (3) وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ (4) وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ (5)
Translation: Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of the dawn, from the evil of what He has created, and from the evil of the darkness when it settles, and from the evil of the blowers in knots, and from the evil of the envier when he envies.”

الناس (An-Naas)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ (1) مَلِكِ النَّاسِ (2) إِلَٰهِ النَّاسِ (3) مِن شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ (4) الَّذِي يُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ (5) مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ (6)
Translation: Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind, from the evil of the whisperer who withdraws, who whispers in the breasts of mankind, of jinn and of mankind.”

Proof:
عَنْ عُقبةَ بنِ عامرٍ، قالَ: أمرَني رسولُ اللَّهِ صلَّى اللَّهُ علَيهِ وسلَّمَ أن أقرأَ بالمعوِّذاتِ دُبُرَ كلِّ صلاةٍ(صحيح أبي داود:1523)
Translation: ‘Uqbah bin Amir (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) ordered me to recite the Mu’awwidhat (the protective chapters) after every prayer.

Here, the term “Mu’awwidhat” refers to the three surahs, because the term “Mu’awwidhat” is used in the plural, which indicates more than two. This is supported by a hadith from Sahih Bukhari (6319), which mentions the term “Mu’awwidhat,” and another narration (5017) in Sahih Bukhari, where the names of the three surahs (Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas) are explicitly mentioned.

In another authentic hadith, the two surahs (Al-Falaq and An-Nas) are specifically mentioned after each prayer:
عَنْ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ قَالَ أَمَرَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ أَقْرَأَ بِالْمُعَوِّذَتَيْنِ فِي دُبُرِ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ(صحيح الترمذي:2903)
Translation: ‘Uqbah bin Amir (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) ordered me to recite the two Mu’awwidhat after every prayer.

Based on this narration, some people believe that only two surahs, Al-Falaq and An-Nas, should be recited after prayer, excluding Al-Ikhlas. However, from the first narration, we understand that the term “Mu’awwidhat” encompasses three surahs, which is the correct interpretation. Additionally, any addition that is proven through an authentic hadith is accepted, so it is recommended to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas as well after every prayer.

Conclusion:

After every prayer, one should recite Surah Al-Ikhlas once, Surah Al-Falaq once, and Surah An-Nas once.

Some calendars may mention reciting these three surahs three times after Fajr and Maghrib prayers, and once after the other prayers (Zuhr, Asr, Isha). The correct practice is to recite each of the three surahs once after every prayer, and to recite them three times in the morning and evening as part of regular remembrance (dhikr).

٭ These three great Surahs—Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas—are effective for protection from illness, magic, and evil. Therefore, they should be recited after every obligatory prayer, as well as during the morning and evening times, and before going to sleep.

(8) Recite Ayat al-Kursi:

آیۃ الکرسی
« اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ » (البقرة:255)

Translation:
Allah is the only true God, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He wills. His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. He is the Most High, the Most Great.

Hadith:
Saying Ayat al-Kursi after every prayer prevents anything from coming between you and entering Paradise, except for death.

• Sahih Al-Bukhari (Hadith 972)

٭ The Prophet ﷺ called this verse the greatest verse of the Qur’an, and it plays a significant role in protecting from the evil of Satan. Therefore, recite it not only after obligatory prayers but also during other times, especially in the morning, evening, and before sleeping.

(9) Dua for Seeking Protection from Various Evils:

اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أعُوذُ بكَ مِنَ الجُبْنِ، وأَعُوذُ بكَ مِنَ البُخْلِ، وأَعُوذُ بكَ مِن أنْ أُرَدَّ إلى أرْذَلِ العُمُرِ، وأَعُوذُ بكَ مِن فِتْنَةِ الدُّنْيَا، وعَذَابِ القَبْرِ
Hadith:

• Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 2822)
  Said ibn Abi Waqqas (RA) taught his children these words, as the Prophet ﷺ used to recite them after every prayer:
  “اللهم إني أعوذ بك من الجبن، وأعوذ بك أن أرد إلى أرذل العمر، وأعوذ بك من فتنة الدنيا، وأعوذ بك من عذاب القبر”
  Translation:
  “O Allah, I seek refuge with You from cowardice, from miserliness, from being returned to the lowest part of old age, from the trials of this world, and from the torment of the grave.”

(10) Recite 10 Times After Fajr and Maghrib:

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

• After Fajr:
  Hadith from Abu Huraira (RA):
  The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever says this after Fajr while seated (before speaking anything) ten times will receive ten rewards, ten sins will be forgiven, ten ranks will be raised, and he will be protected from every harm on that day.”
• Sahih Tirmidhi (Hadith 3474)
  
• After Maghrib:
  Hadith from Ammarah bin Shabib (RA):
  The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever says this ten times after Maghrib, Allah will send His angels to guard him from the devil until the morning.”
• Sahih Tirmidhi (Hadith 3534)
  

Note: Reciting this with “يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ” also brings additional rewards, and reciting 100 times in a day is equivalent to freeing 10 slaves.

(11) Dua After Fajr:

اللَّهمَّ إنِّي أسألُكَ عِلمًا نافعًا ورزقًا طيِّبًا وعملًا متقبَّلًا

Hadith:
Aisha (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ used to say this prayer after Fajr:
“O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, pure sustenance, and accepted deeds.”

• Sunan Ibn Majah (Hadith 762)

(12) Recite After Every Prayer, Especially Fajr:

سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، عَدَدَ خَلْقِهِ، وَرِضَا نَفْسِهِ، وَزِنَةَ عَرْشِهِ، وَمِدَادَ كَلِمَاتِهِ

Hadith:
Juwairiyah (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“I recited four words after leaving you, which weigh more than what you have said since morning.”

• Sahih Muslim (Hadith 6913)

Translation:
“Glory is to Allah, and praise is to Him, in the number of His creation, in His pleasure, in the weight of His Throne, and in the ink of His words.”

(13) Earn the Reward of Hajj and Umrah:

Hadith from Anas bin Malik (RA):
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits to remember Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak’ahs, will earn the reward of a complete Hajj and Umrah.”

• Sahih Tirmidhi (Hadith 586)

Translation:
The reward of performing Hajj and Umrah is given to someone who remembers Allah after Fajr and prays two rak’ahs before sunrise.

A Few Important Warnings:

٭ There is some variation among scholars regarding the authenticity of certain hadiths, so there is no harm in reciting some of the supplications more or less than others. The essential thing is to ensure that you observe the five daily prayers and recite the supplications that are authentically established from the hadiths.

٭ Sometimes due to haste, people may limit themselves to only a few supplications, and there is no harm in that. Similarly, if there is a necessity to leave the mosque, you can also recite these supplications while walking.

٭ Start immediately with the supplications that you remember after the obligatory prayers. For those you do not remember, you may read them. However, try to memorize the remaining supplications as soon as possible.

٭ Many of us are afraid of certain things, especially women, who tend to be more fearful. This is why some practitioners (so-called spiritual healers) exploit this fear to make money by telling people, especially women, “You are under the influence of an evil spirit.” However, by making sure to recite these eight supplications, insha’Allah, you will never need to go to such practitioners.

٭ It is truly unfortunate that many people, after performing their obligatory prayers, immediately start making personal supplications, reading Sunnah prayers, or leaving the mosque, and in doing so, they miss out on numerous blessings and protections.

٭ It is deeply saddening for the Muslim community, especially those who are experts in reciting artificial supplications and creating new tasks, yet show such disregard for the Sunnah of the Messenger ﷺ. After performing their obligatory prayers, they immediately start engaging in collective supplications, which are not supported by authentic hadith. On the one hand, they invent all sorts of rituals, and on the other hand, they avoid the supplications that are clearly established by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as if neither the scholars nor the general public are aware of these authentic supplications, let alone practicing them.