It is a moment of spiritual reflection for Muslims upon completing the recitation of the Quran (khatam al-Quran خَتْم الْقُرْآن). It is a tradition to accompany such an occasion with a heartfelt supplication (dua دُعَاء), beseeching Allah for His mercies, guidance, and blessings. We delve into the importance of this practice, as well as the Arabic supplications, transliterations, and translations, below.

Dua Examples with Arabic, Transliteration, and Translation

1. Sunnah-Inspired Dua

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمْنِي بِالْقُرْآنِ، وَاجْعَلْهُ لِي إِمَامًا وَنُورًا وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً، اللَّهُمَّ ذَكِّرْنِي مِنْهُ مَا نَسِيتُ، وَعَلِّمْنِي مِنْهُ مَا جَهِلْتُ، وَارْزُقْنِي تِلَاوَتَهُ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ وَأَطْرَافَ النَّهَارِ، وَاجْعَلْهُ لِي حُجَّةً يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ.

Transliteration:

Allāhumma-rḥamni bil-Qur’ān, waj’alhu lī imāman wa nūran wa hudan wa raḥmah. Allāhumma dhakkirni minhu mā nasītu, wa ‘allimni minhu mā jahiltu, warzuqni tilāwatahu ānā’a al-layli wa aṭrāfa an-nahār, waj’alhu lī ḥujjatan yā Rabba al-‘ālamīn.

Translation:

O Allah, have mercy on me through the Quran. Make it a guiding light, guidance, and mercy for me. “O Allah, remind me of what I have forgotten from it, teach me what I am ignorant of, grant me its recitation at night and day, and make it a proof for me, O Lord of the worlds.”

2. General Dua for Guidance

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ مَا سَأَلَكَ بِهِ عِبَادُكَ الصَّالِحُونَ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا اسْتَعَاذَكَ مِنْهُ عِبَادُكَ الصَّالِحُونَ.

Transliteration:

Allāhumma innī as’aluka khayra mā sa’alaka bihi ‘ibāduka aṣ-ṣāliḥūn, wa a‘ūdhu bika min sharri mā ista‘ādhaKA minhu ‘ibāduka aṣ-ṣāliḥūn.

Translation:

“O Allah, I ask You for the good that Your righteous servants have asked of You, and I seek refuge in You from the evil from which Your righteous servants sought refuge.”

3. Personal Supplication After Completion

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلِ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيعَ قَلْبِي، وَنُورَ صَدْرِي، وَجَلَاءَ حُزْنِي، وَذَهَابَ هَمِّي.

Transliteration:

Allāhumma-j’al al-Qur’āna rabī’a qalbī, wa nūra �adrī, wa jalā’a ḥuznī, wa dhahaba hammī.

Translation:

“O Allah, make the Quran the spring of my heart, the light of my chest, the remover of my sadness, and the dispeller of my worries.”

Why Make Dua After Completing the Quran?

The Quran is Allah’s timeless guidance, and reciting it is an act of worship. After completing the Quran, everyone can ask for their dua. It’s not just a haircut—it’s a communion between the reader and God.

Dua Before Reciting the Quran

Arabic:

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Transliteration:

A‘ūdhu billāhi min ash-shayṭān ir-rajīm
Bismillāh ir-Raḥmān ir-Raḥīm

Translation:

I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Common Practices and Flexibility

Reciting Surah Al-Fatihah: Many begin their dua by repeating the opening chapter of the Quran: Arabic: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ Transliteration: Al-ḥamdu lillāhi Rabbi al-‘ālamīn

• Translation: “All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.”

Ayat al-Kursi (The Throne Verse): Some recite Quran 2:255 before supplicating: Arabic: اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ…

The Essence of the Dua

The dua after khatam al-Quran is a deeply personal act. Whether it is recited in Arabic, English, or any other language, its essence lies in sincerity (Ikhlās – إِخْلَاص). Just as dua is encouraged in moments of need—before traveling, during Istikhara, or when entering one’s home—it holds special meaning after the Quran. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the value of sincere supplication, regardless of the occasion or wording.

Arabic: الدُّعَاءُ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ Translation: “Supplication is worship.” (Sunan At-Tirmidhi)

Final Words

Completing the Quran is a journey of the heart. The dua when finishing the Quran—whether through the examples above or your own words—should reflect gratitude, humility, and resolve to embody its teachings. May Allah accept every effort and make the Quran a lasting source of guidance. Arabic: وَقُلْ رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا Transliteration: Wa qul Rabbi zidnī ‘ilmā. Translation: “And say: My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” (Quran 20:114) (Note: For specific rulings or authenticity of supplications, consult qualified Islamic scholars or sources.)