Places Where Duas Are Accepted: Sites in Makkah and Madinah Where the Acceptance of Dua Is Hoped For

Every visitor to Makkah and Madinah carries in their bag a long list of supplications requested by their loved ones. In this article, we look at the places popularly known as the places where duas are accepted, namely the surroundings of the Kaaba, Safa and Marwah, the sites of Hajj and the places of visitation in Madinah, where the acceptance of supplication is hoped for. We set out, in cautious language, which narration each place is based on, how authentic these narrations are, and the times and states highlighted in the sources for the acceptance of supplication. Let us say from the outset: only Allah accepts supplications, and no place offers any assurance that a supplication will certainly be accepted; these are blessed places where the hope of acceptance grows stronger.

What Does the Acceptance of Dua Depend On?

In the Holy Qur’an, Allah states that He is near to His servants and responds to the supplication of the one who calls upon Him (al-Baqarah 2:186). In another verse, He says, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you” (al-Mu’min 40:60). These verses show that supplication is not tied to a particular place and can be made anywhere and at any time.

The hadiths, meanwhile, draw attention to states that may prevent a supplication from being accepted. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked how the supplication could be accepted of a man who, having travelled a long way with dishevelled hair, raises his hands to the sky saying “O my Lord”, while what he eats, drinks and wears is unlawful (Muslim). He also stated that a servant’s supplication will be answered as long as they do not become hasty and say, “I supplicated, but it was not accepted” (Bukhari, Muslim). Accordingly, lawful earnings, sincerity, patience and persistence are as important as the place of supplication.

Do places where duas are accepted really exist?

The Qur’an and authentic hadiths state that certain places and times are virtuous, and that the Prophet made supplication at some of them in particular. For this reason, scholars have said that the acceptance of supplication is especially hoped for in these places. However, it is not correct to say that “every supplication made here is certainly accepted”. The manner and timing of acceptance lie within Allah’s decree; a supplication is sometimes accepted in the way it was asked, and sometimes with a better response.

Masjid al-Haram and the Surroundings of the Kaaba

Masjid al-Haram is the most virtuous mosque on earth, and the Prophet stated that prayer performed here is far more virtuous than prayer in other mosques. Certain points around the Kaaba are particularly associated with supplication. We have explained the location and history of these points in detail in our article on the parts of the Kaaba.

The Multazam

The Multazam is the short section of wall between the Black Stone and the door of the Kaaba. A narration found in Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah reports that a Companion made supplication with his chest and face pressed against this wall, and said that he had seen the Prophet doing the same. Hadith scholars have stated that there is weakness in the chain of transmission of this narration; nevertheless, making supplication at the Multazam has been regarded as good by many scholars. No specific supplication text to be recited at the Multazam is authentically known.

Today, reaching the Multazam is very difficult, especially during busy periods. It is not right to push or hurt anyone, or to enter a dangerous crowd, in order to reach it; it is also possible to stand at a suitable spot facing the Multazam and make supplication there.

The Hijr (Hatim) and the Mizab al-Rahmah

The Hijr is the section on the north side of the Kaaba enclosed by a low, semicircular wall. Aisha relates that when she wanted to pray inside the Kaaba, the Prophet took her to the Hijr and said, “Pray here, for this is part of the House” (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi). For this reason, praying and making supplication in the Hijr is regarded as good. The Mizab al-Rahmah, known as the golden waterspout through which water flows from the roof of the Kaaba, is also above this section; some sources also count the area beneath the Mizab among the places of supplication. Entry to the Hijr may be regulated from time to time because of the crowds.

Behind the Station of Ibrahim

The Holy Qur’an says, “Take the station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer” (al-Baqarah 2:125). Performing the tawaf prayer behind the Station of Ibrahim (Maqam Ibrahim) if possible is based on this verse. It is good to raise your hands and supplicate after the prayer; when it is crowded, however, it is also sufficient to perform the tawaf prayer elsewhere in the mosque.

Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone

It is narrated that, during tawaf, the Prophet recited the “Rabbenâ âtinâ…” supplication between these two corners (Abu Dawud). You can find the transliteration of this supplication and the other remembrances of tawaf in our article Umrah Duas. For the moment you first see the Kaaba, you can look at our article on the dua to recite on seeing the Kaaba.

The Hills of Safa and Marwah

Safa and Marwah, where sa’i is performed, are among the places where the Prophet made long supplications. According to the narration of Jabir, the Prophet climbed Safa until he could see the Kaaba, turned towards the qiblah, declared the oneness of Allah and said the takbir, repeating this three times and supplicating in between; he did the same at Marwah (Muslim).

This authentic narration shows that supplicating while facing the qiblah at Safa and Marwah is in keeping with the Sunnah. When you stop on the hills to supplicate, you should move to the side so as not to block the flow of those performing sa’i.

Is dua made during sa’i?

Yes, it is good to occupy yourself with supplication, remembrance, tasbih and salawat throughout sa’i. There is no specific supplication that must be recited during the circuits; a person can repeat the supplications they know or express their wishes in their own language. The transliteration of the remembrance declaring Allah’s oneness that is recited at Safa and Marwah can be found in our article on Umrah duas.

The Sites of Hajj: Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina

When it comes to supplication in the Hajj season, the first place that comes to mind is Arafat. The Prophet stated that the best supplication is the one made on the Day of Arafah (Tirmidhi). At Muzdalifah, the Qur’an commands that Allah be remembered at al-Mash’ar al-Haram (al-Baqarah 2:198); the Prophet, too, faced the qiblah here on the morning of Eid and supplicated until it had become light (Muslim).

In Mina, it is authentically reported that, after stoning the small and middle jamrahs, the Prophet faced the qiblah, raised his hands and supplicated for a long time (Bukhari). You can find the transliterations and meanings of the remembrances recited at these sites in detail in our article Hajj Duas.

Can those performing Umrah make dua at Arafat?

Umrah travellers can see Arafat during their visiting programmes in Makkah and make supplication there; supplication can be made at any time and in any place. However, the special virtue mentioned in the hadiths about Arafat belongs to the wuquf performed on the Day of Arafah during Hajj and to the supplication of that day. It is important to know that being at Arafat on a visit outside Hajj does not count as the wuquf.

Places in Madinah Where the Acceptance of Dua Is Hoped For

At the heart of Madinah stands the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi). The Prophet stated that a prayer performed in this mosque is better than a thousand prayers performed in other mosques, except Masjid al-Haram (Bukhari, Muslim). In a place where prayer is so virtuous, the supplications made after the prayers also carry a special value.

What is special about dua made in the Rawdah?

The Prophet stated that the area between his house and his pulpit (minbar) is one of the gardens of Paradise (Bukhari, Muslim). Because of this virtue, praying and making supplication in the Rawdah is one of the acts of worship that visitors long for most. There is no obligatory supplication set for the Rawdah; a person may make whatever supplication they wish. We have explained the appointment and the etiquette of greeting in our article Dua for Visiting the Rawdah.

Quba Mosque

It is authentically reported that the Prophet went to Quba Mosque every Saturday, sometimes on foot and sometimes riding, and prayed there (Bukhari, Muslim). A hadith in Tirmidhi also states that a prayer performed in Quba Mosque is like an Umrah. For this reason, visiting Quba during the days spent in Madinah, performing two rak’ahs of prayer and making supplication there is a good practice.

Times and States in Which the Acceptance of Dua Is Hoped For

In authentic hadiths, certain times and states, as well as places, are associated with the acceptance of supplication. Making the most of these times during the days you spend in Makkah and Madinah will help you use your dua list more consciously:

Umrah and Hajj travellers can experience many of these times at once. For example, a supplication made at Masjid al-Haram, while travelling, between the adhan and the iqamah, or in prostration brings many blessed causes together. For the supplication made while drinking Zamzam and the status of the narration on this subject, you can take a look at our article Zamzam Dua.

Popular Lists and a Cautious Approach

On the internet and in some booklets, you frequently come across lists such as “15 places in Makkah where duas are accepted”. A significant part of these lists is based on a letter attributed in older sources to Hasan al-Basri, and on similar reports. As some of these reports have no authentic basis going back to the Prophet, scholars have approached these lists with caution.

Most of the places on these lists are blessed places in any case, and there is no harm in making supplication there. The problem lies in attaching a promise of certain acceptance to these places and, for that sake, putting oneself or others in danger in the crowds. On disputed matters, we recommend that you consult the current explanations of Diyanet (Türkiye’s Presidency of Religious Affairs).

When you come across such a list, asking the following questions will help you evaluate the information correctly:

1. Is there a verse or an authentic hadith stating the virtue of this place?
2. If there is a narration, is its source clearly stated?
3. Does the text present the acceptance of supplication as a definite promise?
4. Does the suggested practice put me or others in difficulty in the crowds?

Where in Makkah is the acceptance of dua hoped for?

In the light of authentic narrations and the assessments of scholars, the places that stand out in Makkah are the surroundings of the Kaaba and the tawaf area, the Multazam, the Hijr, the area behind the Station of Ibrahim and the hills of Safa and Marwah, as well as, during the Hajj season, Arafat, al-Mash’ar al-Haram in Muzdalifah, and the areas beside the small and middle jamrahs in Mina. Some of these are known through authentic hadiths, and others through the recommendations of scholars or through narrations whose chains of transmission are disputed. What they all have in common is that the person making supplication must be mindful of the crowds and the rights of others.

Are there places in Istanbul or other cities where duas are accepted?

Saying that a particular shrine, mosque or place is “a place where duas are certainly accepted” is only possible on the basis of authentic religious evidence, and most such descriptions are based on popular belief. Mosques are the houses of Allah, and supplication can be made in every mosque, indeed everywhere. What truly determines the acceptance of supplication is not so much the place as sincerity, lawful earnings and submission to Allah.

The Etiquette of Supplication in Blessed Places

To make the best use of the short time you will spend in these places, it helps to pay attention to the following points:

• Prepare your list in advance: Before the journey, write down the names of those who have asked you to pray for them, as well as your own wishes.
• Begin with praise and salawat: Beginning a supplication with praise of Allah and blessings upon the Prophet is part of the etiquette of supplication.
• Face the qiblah: Whenever possible, supplicate while facing the qiblah and raising your hands.
• Supplicate in your own language: Rather than repeating texts whose meaning you do not know, supplicate sincerely in your own language.
• Do not block the flow: In the tawaf, sa’i and Jamarat areas, move to the side for long supplications.
• Do not push and shove: Do not hurt anyone in order to reach a particular spot; violating the rights of others runs contrary to the spirit of worship.
• Persist and keep your hope alive: Even if you do not see the response to your supplication straight away, do not stop supplicating.

Important: The places in this article are places where the acceptance of supplication is hoped for; no place is an assurance that a supplication will certainly be accepted. Because of crowd and security arrangements, access to spots such as the Multazam, the Hijr and the Rawdah may be restricted from time to time; ask your guide about the current situation.

Planning Your Journey of Supplication

The days in Makkah and Madinah offer opportunities for supplication that will be remembered for a lifetime. Many visitors plan their days around the prayer times, setting aside the last third of the night, the time between the adhan and the iqamah, and Friday for supplication. Dividing your dua list into sections and reciting a different section at each place also makes things easier. To make the most of these opportunities in peace, accommodation close to the mosque, a comfortable programme and an experienced guide make things much easier.

At RotaNur, we prepare programmes that allow sufficient time for worship at Masjid al-Haram and the Prophet’s Mosque. You can explore the option that suits you among our Umrah tours, and reach us through our contact page with any questions. May our Lord respond to all our supplications in the best way.

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