Salat al-Hajat (Prayer of Need)

Salat al-Hajat (Arabic: صلاة الحاجة) is a voluntary prayer performed when the believer has a specific need (hajah) and wishes to ask Allah for help in fulfilling it. This prayer is an expression of the believer's faith that Allah is the ultimate source of all help and fulfillment of needs.

The prayer typically consists of two rak'ah, prayed with sincere intention to seek Allah's help. After the prayer, a du'a is recited where the believer presents their need to Allah with humility and trust. There are several narrated du'as for this purpose in Mafatih al-Jinan.

Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: "If one of you has a need, let him perform wudu, pray two rak'ah, praise Allah, send salawat upon the Prophet and his family, and then say: 'La ilaha illallahu al-Halim al-Karim, SubhanAllahi Rabbil-'Arshil-'Azim...'" (Al-Kafi, vol. 3). This narration provides a specific method for Salat al-Hajat.

It is recommended to pray Salat al-Hajat at specific times known for answered prayers: the last third of the night, between adhan and iqamah, during rain, and on Fridays. Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him) said: "When one of you has a need from Allah, let him fast Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and pray two rak'ah on Friday" (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 86). Salat al-Hajat is a beautiful reminder that the believer is never alone with their problems — Allah is always ready to hear and respond.