How can I pray Salat al-Hajah?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

If a person is in need whether he wants to get something from Allah or from a person, he can perform the Salaatul-Haajah (prayer of need). This is the opinion of the Four Schools of Fiqh for the Hadeeth that the Prophet said: “If any one wants something from Allah, or from a human being, he should perform ablution and do it well, then pray two Rak'ahs, then extol Allah Most High and invoke blessing on the Prophet, then say:

“There is no god but Allah, the Clement and Generous. Glory be to Allah, the Lord of the mighty throne. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe. I ask You for words which will guarantee Your Mercy, actions which will make certain Your Forgiveness, a supply of every virtue, and freedom from every offence. Do not leave me a sin which You do not pardon, a care which You do not remove, or a want that meets with Your pleasure which You do not supply, O Most Merciful of the merciful ones.” [At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah]

Ibn Maajah narrated in the same narration that after saying the supplication, one may ask from Allah whatever he needs from the matters of this world or the Hereafter, and Allah will grant it for him.

The Four Schools of Fiqh agreed upon performing this prayer.

The way of performing this prayer is as follows: one performs two Rak'ahs in the permissible time of prayers. After finishing them, he praises Allah and asks blessings for the Prophet and then recites the above Du'aa’.

You should know that the needs especially the needs of this world can be achieved by two ways:

Firstly, obeying Allah by following His Commands and avoiding His Prohibitions. Allah Says (what means):

• {And whoever fears Allah —He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah — then He is sufficient for him.} [Quran 65:2-3]

• {Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.} [16: 97]

Secondly, Making Du'aa’, fulfilling its conditions especially fearing Allah, being sincere and keeping away from what is forbidden. The prayer of need embeds both conditions; i.e., praying which is a good act and making Du'aa’ after finishing the prayer.

Allah knows best.