5 Dua in Ruku in Arabic and English

Dua in Ruku

Here are some heartfelt prayers to recite while in the position of ruku (bowing), facing the qiblah (direction of the Kaaba). Ruku is a humble act of worship, typically done during our daily prayers (salah).

Find below the beautiful dua in Arabic (original text), English (translation) and Transliteration (phonetic pronunciation).

1. Dua in Ruku in Arabic

The dua in ruku in Arabic is:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

TransliterationSubhana Rabbiyal-’Adheem

Dua in Ruku in English

The dua in English is O How Perfect is my Lord, the Supreme.

It is declaring Allah to be free from all imperfections, and acknowledging His Supremacy and Highness.

According to some scholars, it suffices to only say the remembrances once; be it a Tasbeeh or a supplication or praise. There is no limit after that.

Dua in Ruku Hadith

On the authority of Hudhaifah (رضي الله عنه), who said: I performed prayer with the Prophet (ﷺ) one night and he (ﷺ) opened his recitation with (the chapter entitled) al-Baqarah [The second chapter of the Qur’an].

I said (to myself): perhaps he (ﷺ) will bow in Rukoo’ after one hundred (verses); then, he continued, so I said (to myself): perhaps, he will perform the whole prayer with it (i.e. Soorah al-Baqarah). Then, he (ﷺ) continued, so I said: Perhaps he will perform one Rak’ah with it (i.e. Soorah al-Baqarah).

Then, he (ﷺ) began to recite (the chapter entitled) an-Nisa [The forth chapter of the Qur’an], so he read it (in its entirety). Then, he (ﷺ) began to recite (the chapter entitled) Ali Imran [The third chapter of the Qur’an], so he read it (in its entirety). And he was reciting it Mutarassilan (leisurely).

Whenever he came across a verse containing Tasbeeh, he would declare Allah to be free from Imperfections (i.e. saying: SubhanAllah); and whenever he came across a request, he would make that request (from Allah); and whenever he came across something to seek refuge from, he would seek refuge (with Allah) from it.

After all of this he (ﷺ) bowed in Rukoo’ and began saying: ‘Subhana Rabbiyal-Adheem’ [I declare my Rabb, the Supreme, to be free from all imperfections].

So, his bowing in Rukoo’ was similar (in length) to his standing in Qiyam. Then, he (ﷺ) said: ‘Sami’Allahu li-man Hamidah(u)’ [Allah responds to one who praises Him].

Then, he stood for a long standing, nearly as long as his bowing in Rukoo’. Then, he (ﷺ) prostrated in Sajdah and said: ‘Subhana Rabbiyal-A’la’ [I declare my Rabb, the Most High, to be free from all imperfections]. So, his prostration in Sajdah was nearly as long as his standing in Qiyam.

[Reported by Imam Muslim in his ‘Saheeh’, no. 772]

The very best of what one bowing in Rukoo’ can say is: ‘Subhana Rabbiyal-Adheem’ [I declare my Rabb, the Supreme, to be free from all imperfections] since it is Allah, the One Free From All Imperfections, Who has commanded His worshipers with these (words).

And he (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) who delivers the message from Him, the ‘ambassador’ between Him and His worshipers [i.e. the Prophet (ﷺ)] has designated this specific position for this specific Dhikr (word of praise) when (the following words) were revealed:

Then, glorify (with praises) the Name of your Lord, the Supreme [i.e. by declaring Him to be Free of All Imperfections].’ [Soorah al-Waqi’ah, 56:74]

RELATED: 6 Dua in Sujood in Arabic, English and Hadith

2. Dua in Rukoo

On the authority of A’ishah (رضي الله عنه), who said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to frequently say in his bowing and his prostration:

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَبِحَمْدِكَ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي

TransliterationSubhanak-Allahumma Rabbana wa Bi-Hamdika, Allahummagh-fir Lee.

Meaning in English: O How Perfect You are, O Allah, our Lord, and Praiseworthy. O Allah, forgive me.

[Reported by Al-Bukhari no. 817 and Muslim, no. 484]

This is zikr declaring Allah to be free from all imperfections, Worthy of All Praise.

3. Dua Ruku

On the authority of A’ishah (رضى الله عنها), who said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say – in his bowing and his prostration:

سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ، رَبُّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ

TransliterationSubboohun Quddoosun, Rabbul-Malā’ikati war-Rooh.

Meaning: O How Perfect You are, Most Pure (free of any defects), Lord of the Angels and the Spirit.

[Reported by Muslim 487, Abu Dawood 872]

This is a dua for declaring Allah to be free from all imperfections & Affirming His Ruboobeeyah (Lordship)

The Prophet (ﷺ) taught us to say: ‘Subboohun Quddoosun’ which means ‘O How Perfect You are, Most Pure (free of any defects)…’

This phrase honors Allah with two of His beautiful names, highlighting:

  • His exaltation and glorification
  • His freedom from any imperfections or defects
  • The uniqueness of His attributes, which cannot be shared with any created being
  • The affirmation of His perfect nature, unmatched by anyone or anything

Reciting this invocation reminds us of Allah’s transcendence, perfection, and unparalleled greatness.

4. Dua

سُبْحَانَ ذِي الْجَبَرُوتِ، وَالْمَلَكُوتِ، وَالْكِبْرِيَاءِ، وَالْعَظَمَةِ

TransliterationSubhana Dhil-Jabaroot, wal-Malakoot, wal-Kibriya’, wal-’Adhamah

Meaning: O How Perfect You are, Owner of Absolute Power, Sovereignty, Greatness and Majesty.

This zikr is declaring Allah to be Free From All Imperfections & Affirmation of His Supremacy, Sovereignty, Greatness and Majesty.

Dua in Ruku

Text of the Hadeeth

On the authority of ‘Awf ibn Malik al-Ashja’ee (رضي الله عنه), who said: I stood up to perform prayer with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) one night.

So, he stood up and recited Soorah al-Baqarah [The second chapter of the Qur’an], and he did not pass by any verse mentioning Rahmah (mercy) except that he paused and asked (for Allah’s mercy); nor did he pass by any verse mentioning ‘Adhab (punishment) except that he paused and sought refuge (in Allah, from His punishment).

Then, he (ﷺ) bowed the length of his standing in Qiyam, saying in his bowing: Subhana Dhil-Jabaroot wal-Malakoot wal-Kibriya’ wal-’Adhamah [O How Perfect You are, Owner of Absolute Power, Sovereignty, Greatness and Majesty].

Then, he prostrated the length of his standing. Then, he said in his prostration the like of what he said in his bowing (i.e. Subhāna Dhil-Jabaroot wal-Malakoot wal-Kibriya’ wal-‘Adhamah). Then, he (ﷺ) stood up (in Qiyam) and recited Ali Imran [The third chapter of the Qur’an], then he recited one soorah (chapter) after another.

[Reported by Abu Dawood, no. 873]

The Prophet (ﷺ) taught us to say: ‘O How Perfect You are, Owner of Absolute Power and Sovereignty…’

This phrase praises Allah, affirming that He is:

  • Free from imperfections
  • Purified from all uncleanness

The words ‘Al-Jabaroot’ (Absolute Power) and ‘Al-Malakoot’ (Sovereignty) come from the roots ‘Al-Jabr’ and ‘Al-Mulk’, emphasizing Allah’s:

  • Omnipotence (Al-Jabbar)
  • Sovereignty (Al-Malik)

These names and attributes highlight Allah’s absolute authority, power, and dominion, reminding us of His majesty and perfection.

Dua #5

On the authority of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه) who said in a lengthy Hadeeth: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) bowed in Rukoo’, he would say:

اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ رَكَعْتُ، وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ، وَلَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ، خَشَعَ لَكَ سَمْعِي، وَبَصَرِي، وَمُخِّي، وَعَظْمِي، وَعَصَبِي، [وَمَا اسْتَقَلَّتْ بِهِ قَدَمِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ‏]

TransliterationAllahumma laka raka’tu, wa bika aamantu, wa laka Aslamtu. khasha’a laka sam’ee, wa basaree, wa mukh-khee, wa ’adhmee, wa ’asabee. [wa mastaqallat bihi qadamee lil-lahi rabbil-’Alamin].

Meaning: O Allah! to You I have bowed, and in You I have believed, and to You I have submitted. My hearing, my sight, my mind, my bones and my nerves are all humbled before You. [and what my feet have mounted upon (for travel) for the sake of Allah, the Lord of all worlds].

[Reported by Muslim no. 771]

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Allahumma laka Raka’tu…’ which means ‘O Allah, to You I have bowed…’

By delaying the verb ‘Raka’tu’ (I have bowed), the phrase emphasizes that bowing is a right exclusive to Allah alone, conveying: ‘My bowing is only for You, not for anyone else.’

The Prophet (ﷺ) continued: ‘…wa Bika Āman tu…’ meaning ‘…and in You I have believed…’ which affirms his faith in Allah and acknowledges His divinity.

Then, he said: ‘…wa laka Aslam-tu…’ meaning ‘…and to You I have submitted…’ which means he willingly surrenders and obeys Allah.

Finally, he said: ‘…Khasha’a laka Sam’ee wa Basaree wa Mukh-khee wa ‘Adhmee wa ‘Asabee…’ meaning ‘…my hearing, sight, mind, bones, and nerves are all humbled before You…’ which signifies that all aspects of himself are:

  • Submitted to Allah
  • Humbly broken before His honor
  • Fragile and surrendered to His will

This beautiful prayer showcases the Prophet’s (ﷺ) humility, faith, and surrender to Allah.

Similar Posts