Suggestions for what you may or may not ask for in your dua(s):

A. When supplicating for someone, begin with yourself.
The Qur’an says that the believers pray, “Our Lord, forgive us and our brethren in faith who have preceded us in faith.” Ubayy b. Ka’b reported, “When someone requested the Prophet (s) to pray for him, he used to begin by supplicating for his own self.” (Reported by Tirmidhi with a sound chain of authorities)
Source: Fiqh-us-Sunnah, volume 4: 113b
B. Pray for your parents who have passed away since it still counts towards their good deeds.
Abu Hurairah reported, “The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, ‘When a person dies all his good deeds cease except for three: a continuous act of charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous son who prays for him’.”
Source: Muslim, and the Sunan.
C. Do not wish for death in your dua.
It is makruh or “disliked” to wish for one’s death, or pray to Allah for it, due to poverty, distress, illness, or the like. The six canonical compilers of hadith narrate on the authority of Anas that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Let no one among you wish for death due to any hardship that may befall him. But if one has no other choice, but to do so, one should say: “O Allah! Grant me life as long as life is good for me, and cause me to die when death is better for me.”
The wisdom in the prohibition against wishing for death becomes obvious from a hadith narrated by Umm al-Fadl: “The Prophet, peace be upon him, went to see Al-’Abbas. He found him wishing for death. Thereupon the Prophet said: ‘O Abbas! O Uncle of Allah’s Messenger! Do not wish for death. If you do good and live long, your good deeds will multiply. Then that is better for you. If you are not good and your death is delayed, you may seek Allah’s forgiveness. That is better for you. So do not wish for death’.” (Narrated by Ahmad and Al-Hakim, who says it is sound according to Muslim’s criteria)
Source: Fiqh-us-Sunnah, volume 4, #13a
D. Avoid supplicating against (cursing) yourself, your family, or property.
Jabir reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “Do not supplicate against your own selves, your children, your servants, or your property, lest you should supplicate at a time when supplications are accepted.”
Source: Fiqh-us-Sunnah, volume 4: 113

Dua Video: Sample Du’as with English Translation

E. Do Not Ask Dua from the Dead Whoever They Are. Ask Dua ONLY From Allah.

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Qur’anic Duas:

Asking for Allah’s bounty and protection

Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the life to come and keep us safe from the torment of the Fire (2:201)

Asking for guidance:

Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate from the truth after You have guided us, and bestow upon us mercy from Your grace. Verily You are the Giver of bounties without measure. (3:8)

Asking for strength and patience (sabr) during tough times

Our Lord! Impose not on us that which we have not the strength to bear, grant us forgiveness and have mercy on us. You are our Protector. Help us against those who deny the truth. (2:286)

Trusting in Allah and Repenting:

Our Lord! In You we have placed our trust, and to You do we turn in repentance, for unto You is the end of all journeys. (60:4)

Asking for knowledge and wisdom

“O my Lord! advance me in knowledge. (20: 114)
“O my Lord! bestow wisdom on me and join me with the righteous;” (26: 83)

Seeking Provisions

“O my Lord! truly am I in (desperate) need of any good that thou dost send me!” (28: 24)

Before initiating a big project (e.g. taking an exam or making a major presentation, etc.)

“O my Lord! expand me my breast;
Ease my task for me;
And remove the impediment from my speech.
So they may understand what I say:” (20: 26-28)

Giving thanks

Then Praise be to Allah Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth Lord and Cherisher of all the worlds! To Him be Glory throughout the heavens and the earth: and He is Exalted in Power Full of Wisdom! (45.37)

Source: The Alim Software, version 6.0

Dua Video: Set of Du’as from the Qur’an

Du’as from the Qur’an in Arabic with English Subtitles by the superb Qari Basit

Download 21 duas from the Qur’an in pdf format

Please click here to view the 21 duas from the Qur’an and to download them. This is just a compilation of some of the duas from the Qur’an. There are more duas in the Qur’an.

Dua Video: If anything bad has happened

Recite this dua if anything bad (death, etc.) has happened.