Opening and Closing Dua's

Salams and happy Juma'a!

Thanks to our wonderful dad, we were able to start a nice little weekly halaqa, starting first with our family members, then hopefully moving on to have other girls join, and then watching a movie afterward. Its a nice way to keep our selves refreshed with Islam's wonderful message, to socialize with other young Muslimahs and have just plain good fun.

This weekend when we were discussing topic ideas for the halaqa, it hit us that there needs to be an opening and closing dua. After some googling and a short talk with our friendly neighbourhood Imam, we learned the duas and decided to share it with you too :) Below are the duas, written out by "Sisters Halaqa". They also have their own blog with great articles that you should check out.

Suggestions when beginning a speech

It is desirable that any speech should begin with the praise (al-hamd) of Allah. It is also desirable to send salawaat upon the Prophet saws, and some form of istighfaar (asking the forgiveness of Allah).

Innalhamda lillahee, nahmaduhu wa nasta'eenuhu wa nastaghfiruhu, wa na'oodhu billaahi min shuroori anfusinaa wa min sayyiaati a'maalinaa. Mainyah dihillaahu falaa mudillilahu, wa mainyudlil falaa haadiya lah.

"Alhumdulillah. Indeed, all praise is due to Allah. We praise Him and seek His Help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from our souls' evils and our wrong doings. He whom Allah guides, no one can misguide; and he whom He misguides, no one can guide."
(Ibn Mas'ud and Ibn 'Abbas in Muslim, Abu Dawud, an-Nasai and others)

Wa ashhadu anlaa ilaaha illalaahu, wahdahu laashareeka lahu, wa ash hadu anna muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluh.

"I bear witness that there is no god except Allah- alone without any partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His 'abd (servant) and Messenger."

Allahumma salli 'alaa muhammadinwa 'alaa aali muhammadinwa 'alaa aali muhammadin kamaa sallayta 'alaa aali ibraaheema innaka hameedumajeed. Allahumma baarik 'alaa muhammadinwa 'alaa aali muhammadin kamaa baarakta 'alaa aali ibraaheema wa 'alaa aali ibraheema innaka hameedum majeed.

"O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad, just as You sent prayers upon Ibraheem and upon the followers of Ibraheem. Verily you are full of praise and majesty. O Allaah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, just as You sent blessings upon Ibraheem and upon the family of Ibraheem. Verily, You are full of praise and majesty." ( Al-Bukhari with Al-Fath)

Closing Dua

The Messenger of Allah stated: "When one of your prays, begin with the praise and lauding of Allah. Then make prayers upon the Prophet, and supplicate whatever you with of Allah."
(Fidhalah ibn 'Ubaid in Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and At-Tirmidhi)

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When closing the speech

The Messenger of Allah stated: "When one of your prays, begin with the praise and lauding of Allah. Then make prayers upon the Prophet, and supplicate whatever you with of Allah."
(Fidhalah ibn 'Ubaid in Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and At-Tirmidhi)

Closing Du'a

Subhaana rabbika rabbil'izzati 'ammaa yasifoon. Wasalaamul 'alal mursaleen. Walhamdu lillaahi rabbil 'aalameen.

"Glory be to your Lord, the Lord of Might above what they describe. And peace be upon those sent. And praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds." (Surah As-Saffat 37:180-182)

Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika, ash hadu anlaa ilaaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atoobu ilaik.

"How perfect You are O Allaah, and I praise You. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance"
(Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhee, Ibn Majah).

Conclude with Surah Al-'Asr (surah 103)