A mother\u2019s dua during labour is among the most accepted supplications she will ever make. The Prophet \uFDFA said: “Three duas are not rejected: the dua of a parent for their child, the dua of a traveller, and the dua of the oppressed.” (Ibn Majah 3862.) A mother in labour is travelling between two worlds, pleading for her child; her dua enters all three categories.
Here are eight authentic duas, in order of how most mothers use them.
1. The dua of Musa \u2014 the labour dua of choice
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي
Rabbi ishrah li sadri wa yassir li amri wa ihlul \u2018uqdatan min lisani yafqahu qawli.
“My Lord, expand my chest, ease my task, and untie the knot from my tongue, that they may understand my speech.” (Qur\u2019an 20:25\u201328.) Short enough to say in a single breath during a contraction.
2. Hasbunallah \u2014 for fear
حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
Hasbunallahu wa ni\u2018mal-wakeel. “Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.” (Qur\u2019an 3:173.) When fear rises, repeat this between contractions.
3. La ilaha illallah al-Halim al-Karim \u2014 the classical labour dua
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْحَلِيمُ الْكَرِيمُ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ، الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
La ilaha illallahu\u2011l\u2011halimul\u2011kareem. Subhanallahi rabbi\u2011l\u2019arshil\u2011\u2018azheem. Alhamdulillahi rabbi\u2011l\u2019alameen.
“There is no deity but Allah, the Forbearing, the Most Generous. Glory be to Allah, Lord of the mighty Throne. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (Bukhari 6345.) The Prophet \uFDFA prescribed this for times of distress.
4. Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum \u2014 by the Living, the Sustainer
يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيثُ
Ya Hayyu ya Qayyum, bi-rahmatika astaghith. “O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek help.” (Tirmidhi 3524.) The Prophet \uFDFA said this when distressed. Three breaths, three words, maximum weight.
5. Seeking refuge for the baby
أُعِيذُكِ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لَامَّةٍ
U\u2018eedhuka bi-kalimatillahi t-tammah min kulli shaytanin wa hammah wa min kulli \u2018aynin lammah.
“I seek refuge for you in the perfect words of Allah from every devil and poisonous creature, and from every evil eye.” (Bukhari 3371.) Said over the baby as soon as they are placed on your chest.
6. Ayat al-Kursi \u2014 the Throne Verse
Mothers often recite Ayat al-Kursi (Qur\u2019an 2:255) before contractions intensify and again before the baby crowns. It is the greatest verse of the Qur\u2019an and a shield of protection.
7. Surah al-Falaq and an-Nas (the last two surahs)
Three times each, morning and evening and during labour. The Prophet \uFDFA said no-one who says them three times will be harmed by anything.
8. Your own personal dua
Allah hears the language of your heart. Whisper your own words \u2014 ask by name for the health of your baby, for ease, for protection for your family. This is not secondary to the Arabic duas; it is the personal half that the Prophet \uFDFA encouraged.
A small practical tip
Memorise duas #1, #2, and #3 in the last month. Write the transliteration on a small card in your hospital bag. Your doula, spouse, or sister can read them to you when you cannot speak. Many midwives say the silence between contractions is where dua changes the room.
Related reads
Duas cited here are authentic. For deeper fiqh, consult a scholar you trust.