When the heart feels heavy and the noise becomes loud, long words are no more needed — we need but soft words. Munajat are those quiet whispers to the soul: short, steady and sincere phrases that soothe. This piece explores how to bring simple and healing Munajat into daily life, with practical steps and a few gentle phrases to rehearse.
What Is Munajat?
Munajat is an intimate conversation with God. It is the language that users very tender and well selected list of truthful words that come from the heart and touch the heart. They are sort of the voice that trusts, and a small plea that asks for shelter. Unlike normal, well-versef supplication that may include long lists of requests, Munajat often lives in the space between breaths — simple, repeated, and honest.
Why Short Words Work
In moments of fatigue or overwhelm, the mind resists complexity and the heart starts to take over. Munajat, heartfelt and repeated prayers, cut through the noise to ease tension and bring forth much needed ease and comfort. They are repeatable, easy to remember, and they root us back in a steady rhythm of trust. The practice of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the examples of humble predecessors, remind us that a sincere, concise and persistent please often carries more weight than a long, distracted litany.
Our history abounds with examples of old Munajators and great Islamic figures, whose Munajat words, carved their precious marks throughout the years.
Khwaja Abdullah Ansari: A prominent Persian mystic, also known for his Munajat (or Munajat-i Ansari). These a list of greatly intimate prayers that offer examples of direct, personal communication with the God. Supplications of Imam Ali, especially those known to have been found in the Mosque of Kufa, are among the famous munajat of the Imams.
There is also the very famous Munajat of Imam Ali Ibn Abi Taleb.
Here is a list of some of the very famous precious Munajat of the revered Imam.
اللّـهُمَّ إِنّي أَسْأَلُكَ الأَمَانَ يَوْمَ لا يَنْفَعُ مالٌ وَلابَنُونَ إِلاّ مَنْ أَتَىٰ اللهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَليمٍ
O Allah, I ask You for protection on the day when property will not avail, nor sons except he who comes with a heart free (from evil)
وَأَسْاَلُكَ الأَمانَ يَوْمَ يَعَضُّ الظّالِمُ عَلىٰ يَدَيْهِ يَقُولُ يا لَيْتِني اتَّخَذْتُ مَعَ الرَّسُولِ سَبيلاً
And I ask You for protection on the day when the unjust one will bite his hands saying: O would that I had taken a way with the messenger
وَأَسْاَلُكَ الأَمانَ يَوْمَ يُعْرَفُ الْمُجْرِمُونَ بِسيمـاهُمْ فَيُؤْخَذُ بِالنَّواصي وَالأَقْدامِ
And I ask You for protection on the day when the guilty shall be recognised by their marks so they shall be seized by the forelocks and the feet
وَأَسْاَلُكَ الأَمانَ يَوْمَ لا يَجْزي والِدٌ عَنْ وَلَدِهِ وَلا مَوْلُودٌ هُوَ جازٍ عَنْ والِدِهِ شَيْئاً إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللهِ حَقٌّ
And I ask You for protection on the day when a father shall not give any satisfaction for his son nor shall the child give any satisfaction for his father, Surely the promise of Allah is true
وَأَسْاَلُكَ الأَمانَ يَوْمَ لا يَنْفَعُ الظّالِمينَ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ وَلَهُمُ اللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوءُ الدّارِ
And I ask You for protection on the day when the unjust shall not benefit from their excuse; for them is curse and for them is the evil abode
وَأَسْاَلُكَ الأَمانَ يَوْمَ لا تَمْلِكُ نَفْسٌ لِنَفْسٍ شَيْئاً وَالأَمْرُ يَوْمَئِذٍ للهِ
And I ask You for protection on the day when no soul shall control anything for (another) soul and the command on that day shall be entirely Allah’s
وَأَسْاَلُكَ الأَمانَ يَوْمَ يَفِرُّ الْمَرْءُ مِنْ أَخيهِ وَأُمِّهِ وَأَبِيهِ وَصاحِبَتِهِ وَبَنيهِ …
And I ask You for protection on the day when a man shall flee from his brother, and his mother, his father, his spouse, and his children, each one of them on that day will have a concern which will occupy him
A brief whispered phrase, offered with presence, can change a day. It can turn a spiral of worry into a pause of surrender.
Build a Gentle Daily Practice
You don’t need extra time — only tiny pauses. Here is a three-step practice to make munajat a daily refuge:
- Choose two short phrases you can repeat: one for morning, one for evenings.
- Anchor them to ordinary moments: after washing your hands, while waiting for tea, or during a short walk.
- Repeat them slowly three to five times. Let the words be a gentle rhythm, not a rush.
A simple 1-minute template
- Take three slow breaths.
- Whisper your chosen phrase twice.
- Close with one sentence of trust: “I leave this to You.”
Short Munajat Phrases to Try
These are gentle, simple phrases you can keep in your pocket and use throughout the day.
Examples:
“Ya Muqallib al-qulub, thabbit qalbi” — O Turner of hearts, steady my heart.
“Allahumma, rudd qalbi ilayk” — O God, return my heart to You.
“Rabbi, yasir amri, wa karm bi rahmatik” — My Lord, ease my affairs and bless me with Your mercy.
Pick one that feels natural. The exact wording is less important than the presence and the soft honesty behind it.
Lessons from Our Predecessors
The early generations taught us that sincerity outweighs eloquence. They repeated short invocations, often in times of hardship, as a way to keep their hearts anchored. Learn from them by favoring clarity and humility over performance.
When Words Aren’t Enough
Sometimes no words come. That is okay. Silence offered with intentionality can be a form of munajat: a small surrender, a breath turned toward God. When speech fails, trust the posture of the heart — it is itself a petition.
Practical Tips for Carrying Munajat into the Day
- Set gentle reminders: a soft alarm with a phrase, or a bookmark with a line to read.
- Make a small card: write one short phrase and place it by your kettle, pillow, or phone.
- Use transitions: move from one activity to another with two slow breaths and a whispered phrase.
A Tiny Evening Ritual
Before sleep, sit for one minute and speak three brief prayers: gratitude for one small thing, a request for calm, and a short phrase of trust. This ritual trains the heart to close the day with gentleness.
Evening example (three lines)
1) “Alhamdulillah for this small kindness.”
2) “O Allah, ease tomorrow’s burdens.”
3) “I entrust my worry to You.”
Where Munajat Meets Action
Munajat is not an escape from responsibility. It softens the heart so that action can come from steadiness rather than anxiety. After a whisper of munajat, the next step might be a calm phone call, a small task, or a patient conversation — all done with a steadier spirit.
Closing: Start Small, Keep Kind
The secret of munajat is not in length or novelty; it is in consistency and tenderness. Start with two phrases, anchor them to daily moments, and let them be little lifelines. Over time those short whispers will shape a softer inner climate: less fear, more trust; less reactivity, more rest.
If you would like a printable set of short munajat phrases (cards or graphics) for The Muslim Tribune, I can prepare a gentle collection that readers can download and keep by their bedside.
Maha Youssuf
Chief Editor, Muslim Tribune
& the Editorial Team
