Dua for Having Children: Dua of Prophet Zakariya

September 13, 2026

Evlat İsteme Duası: Arapçası, Okunuşu ve Anlamı

Explanation

These are verses of the Holy Quran recited to ask for a child and to wish for a righteous heir (Maryam 5-6, al-Mu’min 67). Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) prayed to his Lord in this way.

At the beginning of Surah Maryam, Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him), though he had grown old and his wife was barren, implores his Lord in secret and says: “Grant me from Yourself an heir (a child) who will inherit from me and from the family of Ya’qub.” The same surah relates that his dua was accepted and that he was given the glad tidings of Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him). Verse 67 of Surah al-Mu’min, in turn, reminds us that man is created from dust, from a drop of fluid and from a clinging clot, and brought into the world as an infant. The source recommends reciting these verses as a dua.

Dua Text

فَهَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ وَلِيًّا ۞ يَرِثُنِي وَيَرِثُ مِنْ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ ۞ يُخْرِجُكُمْ طِفْلًا ثُمَّ لِتَبْلُغُوا أَشُدَّكُمْ

Transliteration

Fahab li min ladunka waliyya. Yarithuni wa yarithu min ali Ya’qub. Yukhrijukum tiflan thumma litablughu ashuddakum.

Meaning

So grant me from Yourself an heir (a son). Who will inherit from me and inherit from the family of Ya’qub. Then He brings you out as an infant, then so that you may reach your full strength.

What Is Asked in This Dua

A righteous child and a pious generation who will inherit from the person are asked for. It is the dua of Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him); it is the dua of those who have no children and of those who wish for their children to be righteous.

When and How to Recite

It has no set time, and the source does not give a number either. Those who wish for a child can recite it after the prayers, in the pre-dawn hours (sahar) and at times when duas are hoped to be accepted.

The source book states that when these verses are recited as a dua, they help in asking for a child and wishing for a righteous heir; and that those suffering from this kind of difficulty should keep reciting these verses.

Since this is a Quranic dua, it is good manners to recite it with wudu and, if possible, to recite the verses in full in Arabic. Spouses who wish for a child reciting it together and praying without giving up on taking the means and seeking medical treatment is in keeping with the example of Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him).

Virtue

The source book states that when the verses above are recited as a dua, they help in asking for a child and wishing for a righteous heir; and that those suffering from this kind of difficulty would benefit from praying with these verses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which verses are recited to ask for a child?

Verses 5-6 of Surah Maryam and verse 67 of Surah al-Mu’min are recited as a dua; this is the dua of Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him).

When is this dua recited?

It has no set time; it can be recited after the prayers and at times when duas are hoped to be accepted, such as the pre-dawn hours (sahar).

Does the dua ask only for a child?

No; it also asks that the child be righteous and become an heir.

Was the dua of Prophet Zakariya accepted?

Yes; in Surah Maryam he is given the glad tidings of Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him). That is why the dua is considered an example of asking without losing hope.

Can this dua be recited without wudu?

Since it consists of Quranic verses, reciting it from memory without touching the Mushaf is possible without wudu as well; however, reciting it with wudu is in keeping with good manners.

Source

Maryam 19:5-6; al-Mu'min 40:67.

The text on this page was prepared by Dua Kitaplığı based on the work cited above. The Arabic text has been transcribed from the original with its vowel marks, and the transliteration in Latin letters and the English meaning are given separately. No virtue or number that does not appear in the source is added to this page. How do we prepare our content?

Published: 13 September 2026 · Last updated: 9 October 2026