Ruku is the sacred bowing position in Salah, where the believer lowers themselves in humility and reverence before Allah ﷻ, saying “Subhana Rabbiyal Azim” — Glory is to my Lord, the Most Great. As they rise from Ruku, they proclaim “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah” — Allah hears the one who praises Him — and immediately follow it with the dua “Rabbana lakal hamd”, meaning Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.
Though short, this dua carries deep meaning. It expresses heartfelt gratitude, recognition of Allah’s majesty, and a continuation of spiritual consciousness between movements of prayer. Firmly rooted in the authentic Sunnah, it is recited in every rak’ah and holds a special place in the structure of Salah.
In this blog, you’ll find the authentic Dua After Ruku in Arabic, clear transliteration, accurate English translation, and the hadith source — along with recognized variations and when to use them.
Authentic Dua After Ruku — Arabic, Transliteration & Translation
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ، مِلْءَ السَّمَاوَاتِ، وَمِلْءَ الْأَرْضِ، وَمِلْءَ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ بَعْدُ، أَهْلَ الثَّنَاءِ وَالْمَجْدِ، أَحَقُّ مَا قَالَ الْعَبْدُ، وَكُلُّنَا لَكَ عَبْدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ لَا مَانِعَ لِمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَلَا مُعْطِيَ لِمَا مَنَعْتَ، وَلَا يَنْفَعُ ذَا الْجَدِّ مِنْكَ الْجَدُّ. Transliteration: Allāhumma Rabbanā laka al-ḥamd, mil’a as-samāwāti wa mil’a al-arḍ, wa mil’a mā shi’ta min shay’in baʿd. Ahl ath-thanā’i wal-majd. Aḥaqqu mā qāla al-ʿabd, wa kullunā laka ʿabd. Allāhumma lā māniʿa limā aʿṭayta, wa lā muʿṭiya limā manaʿta, wa lā yanfaʿu dhā al-jaddi minka al-jaddu. English Translation: O Allah, our Lord — to You belongs all praise, praise that fills the heavens, the earth, and whatever else You will beyond that. You are the One truly worthy of all praise and glory. The most truthful words a servant can utter — and we are all Your servants. O Allah, none can withhold what You grant, and none can grant what You withhold. No wealth or power can avail anyone against You.
This powerful supplication — taught by the Prophet ﷺ — is recited upon rising from Ruku. It centers the heart in gratitude, reminds the believer of Allah’s complete control over every blessing and trial, and affirms that all strength, status, and provision begin and end with Him alone.
Hadith Source for this Dua After Ruku
This noble supplication after Ruku is firmly rooted in the authentic Sunnah. It is reported in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, with narrations from companions such as Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa (رضي الله عنه). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would consistently recite this dua after rising from Ruku, especially in longer prayers like Qiyam al-Layl.
In a narration from Sahih Muslim (477b): “When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ raised his head from Ruku, he would say: اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ، مِلْءَ السَّمَاوَاتِ، وَمِلْءَ الْأَرْضِ…” This hadith highlights the Prophet’s ﷺ use of expansive, meaningful praise — invoking Allah’s majesty across all realms of creation. Scholars regard this as a strongly recommended Sunnah, applicable for imams, individuals, and followers alike — whether in obligatory or voluntary Salah. It reflects how deeply the Prophet ﷺ infused every part of the prayer with intentional devotion and divine acknowledgment.
When and How to Recite Dua After Ruku?
This dua is recited immediately after rising from Ruku in each rak’ah of Salah. After completing the bowing position, the worshipper says:
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ Samiʿa-llāhu liman ḥamidah — Allah hears the one who praises Him and then follows it with: رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ… Rabbana lakal hamd… — either in its concise form or the complete extended version. This supplication can be recited by anyone in prayer — the imam, the person praying alone, or a follower in congregation. It is valid in both obligatory (Fard) and voluntary (Nafl) prayers.
Depending on the nature of the Salah, the dua may be said audibly or silently. The Prophet ﷺ was known to alternate between the brief and comprehensive forms, reflecting balance and variation in worship. Following this practice brings both spiritual depth and alignment with his Sunnah.
Variations of the Dua (Optional but Sahih)?
The most familiar version recited after Ruku is: رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ Rabbana lakal hamd — Our Lord, to You belongs all praise However, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ authentically recited three other variations, all of which are equally valid: رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ Rabbana wa lakal hamd — Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ Allahumma Rabbana lakal hamd — O Allah, our Lord, to You belongs all praise اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ Allahumma Rabbana wa lakal hamd — O Allah, our Lord, and to You belongs all praise Each variation carries subtle depth — whether by connecting phrases through conjunction, or starting with a direct invocation to Allah ﷻ. These wordings are found in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, and are part of the Prophet’s ﷺ flexible recitation pattern.
Scholars such as Imam al-Nawawi, Ibn Hajar, and Ibn al-Qayyim emphasized rotating between them as a way to maintain sincerity, attentiveness, and alignment with the Sunnah. Varying the dua prevents mechanical repetition and helps the heart stay present during Salah.
Related Duas During Salah
Every movement in Salah offers a distinct opportunity for remembrance. These authentic duas, closely linked to the dua after Ruku, complete the spiritual rhythm of prayer — combining praise, forgiveness, and protection.
1. Dua Before Tasleem Just before concluding the prayer, the Prophet ﷺ would seek refuge from major trials: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ Translation: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, the grave, the trials of life and death, and the evil of the false messiah.
Read: Dua Before Tasleem
2. Dua Between Sujood While seated between the two prostrations, the Prophet ﷺ would say: رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي، رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي Translation: My Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me.
Read: Dua Between Sujood
3. Tasbih During Ruku During Ruku itself — the bowing posture — the Prophet ﷺ glorified Allah with: سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ Translation: Glory is to my Lord, the Most Great.
Read: Tasbih in Ruku
These related duas, when practiced mindfully, elevate the prayer from motion to meaning — aligning every action with the prophetic tradition and deepening one’s spiritual awareness.
FAQs — Dua After Ruku
Yes, the long version is valid in all types of prayer — both obligatory and voluntary. However, the Prophet ﷺ would rotate between short and extended versions to keep the heart attentive. Alternating follows the Sunnah and helps maintain spiritual focus. No, the hands are not raised after Ruku. Once you stand up, the hands remain lowered or return to the chest based on your school of thought. Saying “Rabbana lakal hamd” does not require any hand movement. The follower should say “Rabbana lakal hamd” silently. Only the imam says “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah” aloud. This quiet response from the congregation is part of the etiquette established in authentic hadith. Not compulsory, but highly recommended. Learning all authentic versions lets you revive the full Prophetic practice, vary your recitation, and avoid becoming repetitive in Salah. No, that position is meant strictly for praising Allah ﷻ. Personal supplications should be made during Sujood or right before Tasleem, which are the designated moments for asking your needs.
Mohammed Basheer is the founder of Sukoonly.com, an Islamic blog focused on duas, prophetic healing, and Qur’anic wisdom. He writes with sincerity and spiritual depth for seekers around the world.