The 10 Best Dhikr for Ramadan to Multiply Your Rewards

Ramadan is a month of immense blessings, a time when the gates of heaven are opened, and the rewards for good deeds are multiplied. While fasting is the pillar of this month, our worship is not limited to abstaining from food and drink. It’s a time for deep spiritual reflection, connection, and remembrance of Allah (SWT). One of the most accessible yet profound ways to achieve this is through Dhikr—the remembrance of Allah.

This guide is designed to be your complete spiritual toolkit, providing not just a list of the best dhikr for Ramadan, but the ‘why’, ‘when’, and ‘how’ to integrate these powerful remembrances into your daily life. Let’s unlock the immense rewards waiting for us this blessed month.

Why is Dhikr in Ramadan So Powerful?

The significance of dhikr is amplified exponentially during Ramadan for two primary reasons: the nature of the month itself and the promise of multiplied rewards.

The Month of Revelation and Remembrance

Ramadan is divinely distinguished as the month in which the Qur’an was revealed. Allah says, 

“Ramaḍân is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority.”

(Qur’an, 2:185)

Since the Qur’an is the highest and most profound form of dhikr, the entire month is steeped in an atmosphere of remembrance.

Multiplying Your Rewards

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught us that the rewards for voluntary good deeds in Ramadan are elevated to the level of obligatory deeds, and obligatory deeds are multiplied seventyfold. This divine generosity means that every utterance of ‘SubhanAllah’ or ‘Alhamdulillah’ carries a weight far greater than it would at any other time of the year. 

A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Dhikr for Ramadan

Here is a curated list of ten powerful forms of dhikr to make a cornerstone of your worship this Ramadan. Each one is a key to unlocking a specific spiritual benefit, from forgiveness to protection.

1. The Ultimate Dhikr: Recitation of the Holy Qur’an

The single most rewarding dhikr is reciting the Word of Allah. Ramadan and the Qur’an are inseparable. Aim to connect with the Qur’an daily, whether it’s by reciting a few verses, reading the translation, or listening to its beautiful recitation. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 

“Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a tenfold reward.” (Tirmidhi)

2. Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness)

Ramadan is the month of mercy and forgiveness. Constantly seeking forgiveness purifies the heart and washes away sins, allowing your other acts of worship to be accepted. The simplest way to seek forgiveness is:

Arabic: أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ      

Transliteration: Astaghfirullah     

Translation: I seek forgiveness from Allah.

3. The Master of Forgiveness (Sayyid al-Istighfar)

The Prophet (ﷺ) described this dua as the master of all prayers for forgiveness. Reciting it with sincere conviction is a powerful means of attaining Jannah.

Arabic: اَللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ    

Transliteration: Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa ana ‘abduka, wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa’dika mastata’tu, a’udhu bika min sharri ma sana’tu, abu’u laka bini’matika ‘alayya, wa abu’u bidhanbi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta.      

Translation: O Allah, You are my Lord, none has the right to be worshipped except You. You created me, and I am Your servant, and I abide by Your covenant and promise as best I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have committed. I acknowledge Your favour upon me, and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for verily none can forgive sins except You.

4. Tasbih, Tahmid, and Takbir (Glorification, Praise, and Greatness)

These are known as the ‘remaining good deeds’ (al-baqiyat al-salihat). They are light on the tongue but incredibly heavy on the scales.

Arabic: سُبْحَانَ اللهِ، اَلْحَمْدُ لِلهِ، اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ

Transliteration: SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar

Translation: Glory be to Allah, All praise is for Allah, Allah is the Greatest.

5. Tahleel (The Declaration of Oneness)

This is the cornerstone of our faith and the best declaration of Tawhid (the oneness of Allah). The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The best dhikr is ‘La ilaha illAllah”

Arabic: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ

Transliteration: La ilaha illAllah

Translation: There is no god worthy of worship except Allah.

6. Salawat on the Prophet (ﷺ) (Sending Blessings)

Sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is a direct command from Allah in the Qur’an (33:56). For every Salawat you send, Allah sends ten blessings back upon you.

Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

Transliteration: Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad

Translation: O Allah, send your blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.

7. The Dua of Prophet Yunus (A Plea for Mercy)

This powerful plea, made from the belly of the whale by Prophet Yunus (AS), is a potent tool for seeking mercy and relief from distress. The Prophet (ﷺ) said no Muslim supplicates with it for anything except that Allah will respond to him.

Arabic: لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنتَ سُبْحَـٰنَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

Transliteration: La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin

Translation: There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been one of the wrongdoers. (Qur’an, 21:87)

8. Ayat al-Kursi (The Verse of the Throne)

Ayat al-Kursi (Qur’an, 2:255) is the greatest verse in the Qur’an. Reciting it after every obligatory prayer is a means of entering Paradise, and it serves as a powerful protection from Shaytan and all forms of evil.

9. Hawqala (Acknowledging Allah’s Might)

This phrase is an immense treasure from the treasures of Paradise. It is a declaration of ultimate reliance on Allah, acknowledging that no change or power occurs except by His will.

Arabic: لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ

Transliteration: La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah

Translation: There is no might nor power except with Allah.

10. The Special Dua for Laylatul Qadr

The last ten nights of Ramadan contain Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power), a night better than a thousand months. Aisha (RA) asked the Prophet (ﷺ) what she should say if she knew which night it was. He taught her this beautiful dua:

Arabic: اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Transliteration: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni

Translation: O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me.

When are the Best Times for Dhikr in Ramadan?

While dhikr can be done at any time, certain periods in Ramadan are especially virtuous:

• In the Last Third of the Night (Tahajjud): This is a time when Allah descends to the lowest heaven, asking who is seeking forgiveness to be forgiven.
• Between Asr and Maghrib: Especially on Fridays, this is a precious time for dua and remembrance as you await Iftar.
• During the Last Ten Nights: These are the most blessed nights of the year. Increase all forms of worship, especially the dua for Laylatul Qadr.

Practical Tips for a Consistent Dhikr Routine

Integrating dhikr into a busy schedule can be challenging. Here are some actionable tips:

• Start Small & Be Consistent: Choose one or two dhikr and commit to reciting them 10 times after each prayer. Consistency is more beloved to Allah than sporadic, large amounts.
• Implement the Sunnah of counting Dhikr: help you keep track and stay focused, and also earn the reward of acting on the Sunnah. Use your fingers to count your Dhikr; start on your finger tip and count down the creases of each finger of your right hand. 
• Habit Stack: Link your dhikr practice to an existing habit. For example, recite Istighfar while waiting for the kettle to boil or during your daily commute.
• Designate ‘Dhikr Time’: Set aside 5-10 minutes after Fajr and Asr specifically for remembrance.
• Involve Your Family: Make dhikr a family activity after Iftar to create a blessed atmosphere at home.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dhikr in Ramadan (FAQ)