Dua for Fasting: Before, During, and When Breaking Fast

Here are the duas for the three stages of fasting: beginning the fast, during the fast, and breaking the fast.

Niyyah (Intention) for Fasting

The intention for fasting is made in the heart. This verbal formula is used by many Muslims to help focus the intention:

Arabic:

وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَوَيْتُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ

Transliteration:

Wa bi-ṣawmi ghadin nawaytu min shahri ramaḍān

Translation:

"I intend to fast tomorrow for the month of Ramadan."

Source: This formulation is used in classical fiqh texts. The obligation of intention is based on the hadith: "Actions are judged by their intentions." (Narrated by Bukhari, 1; Muslim, 1907)

The intention must be made before Fajr (dawn) for obligatory fasts like Ramadan. For voluntary fasts, you can make the intention before noon if you have not eaten.

Dua for Breaking the Fast (Iftar)

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ

Transliteration:

Allāhumma innī laka ṣumtu wa bika āmantu wa ʿalayka tawakkaltu wa ʿalā rizqika afṭartu

Translation:

"O Allah, for You I have fasted, in You I have believed, upon You I have relied, and with Your provision I break my fast."

Source: Narrated by Abu Dawud, 2358 — graded as mursal (narrated without a direct companion) but widely practiced

Shorter Iftar Dua (More Authentic)

Arabic:

ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الْأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ

Transliteration:

Dhahaba al-ẓama'u wabtallatil-ʿurūqu wa thabata al-ajru inshā'allāh

Translation:

"The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills."

Source: Narrated by Abu Dawud, 2357 — graded as hasan by many scholars including al-Albani

This shorter dua is considered stronger in terms of chain of narration. Many scholars consider it the preferred iftar dua.

Looking for more duas? Browse our complete Dua Collection — organized by occasion with Arabic text, transliteration, and translation.

Dua to Recite During the Day While Fasting

There is no specific prescribed dua to recite during the fast, but the fasting person is in a special state — their duas are answered. The Prophet ﷺ said:

"There are three whose supplications are not rejected: the fasting person until he breaks his fast, the just ruler, and the oppressed person." (Narrated by Tirmidhi, 2528 — graded as hasan)

Use the hours of fasting to make sincere personal supplications. Some recommended adhkar during the day:

• Subhanallah (سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ)
• Alhamdulillah (الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ)
• La ilaha illallah (لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ)
• Astaghfirullah (أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ)

When and How to Recite

For niyyah:

• Make the intention in your heart before Fajr
• The verbal formula is optional — helpful for some, not required

At iftar:

• When the adhan is called or the sun sets, recite the dua before eating
• Break your fast with dates or water first, following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
• Then pray Maghrib, then eat your full iftar meal

During suhoor:

• No specific dua is prescribed for the pre-dawn meal
• Eat with the intention of fasting for Allah
• Make general supplications — the last third of the night is a time of accepted duas

Virtues and Rewards

The Prophet ﷺ said: "When the month of Ramadan arrives, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained." (Narrated by Bukhari, 1899)

He also said: "Fasting is a shield. When one of you is fasting, he should not engage in obscene speech or act foolishly. If someone insults or fights him, he should say: 'I am fasting, I am fasting.'" (Narrated by Bukhari, 1904; Muslim, 1151)

Allah ﷻ says in a hadith qudsi: "Every deed of the son of Adam is for himself, except fasting — it is for Me, and I shall reward for it." (Narrated by Bukhari, 1904; Muslim, 1151)

Related Duas

• Dua for Breaking Fast — a deeper look at the iftar supplication and its variations
• Dua for Laylatul Qadr — the most powerful night of Ramadan has a special supplication
• Dua for Beginning Fasting — specifically focused on the niyyah and opening supplications for the fast