Arabic vocabulary
دُعَاءٌprayers in Arabic
دُعَاءٌ is how you say “prayers” in Arabic. Hear it pronounced and see it used in a real example sentence from classical texts below.
Root د ع و (d-ʿ-w)noun (verbal noun / maṣdar)Pronounced duʿāʾ
Meaning of prayers in Arabic
- prayer, supplication, or petition to God — asking God humbly for something desired — for oneself, on someone's behalf (li-), or against someone (ʿalā)
- a calling, calling out to, or summoning — the base sense of the root: to call someone so that they come or respond
Duʿāʾ is the standard word for personal prayer or supplication in Islamic practice, distinct from the formal ritual prayer (ṣalāh). It grows from the root's core sense 'to call' — to call upon God is to ask something of Him, whether seeking good for oneself or another, or invoking harm on someone.
Words from the same root
- دَعَاform I verb: to call, call out to, summon; to pray or supplicate (to God)
- دَعْوَةٌa call; an invitation, e.g. to a meal
- دَعْوَىalternate verbal noun of daʿā, used for prayer to God
- مُدَاعَاةٌform III: posing a riddle or enigma to someone, or contending in doing so
- دَاعٍone who calls or summons (e.g. the caller to prayer)
- دَاعِيَةٌtropical use: milk left remaining in the udder
Common questions
- How do you say "prayers" in Arabic?
- دُعَاءٌ (duʿāʾ) — supplication or prayer, a humble petition addressed to God, distinct from the ritual prayer ṣalāh.
- What is the difference between دُعَاءٌ and دَعْوَةٌ?
- Both come from the same verb دَعَا ('to call'); duʿāʾ centers on prayer or supplication to God, while daʿwah is used more for a call or invitation, such as to a meal.
Definitions synthesised from Lane's Arabic-English Lexicon (E. W. Lane, 1863–1893).
Example sentences
وَمنع إِجَابَة الدُّعَاء وقسوة الْقلب
And the blocking of answered prayers and hardness of the heart.
الدُّعَاءِ — of prayers. al- = 'the'; the 'of…' word: 'of the supplication, of prayer'.
From: Returning to God →
Related words
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