One of the most powerful ways to combine extra prayer with dua is through Salat al-Istikharah, which is specifically taught by the Prophet ﷺ for seeking guidance and having your matters resolved in the best way. You pray two units of voluntary prayer, then make the special supplication asking Allah to choose what is best for you. This is a beautiful way to hand your worries to Allah while actively seeking His help. The Prophet ﷺ said: "If any of you intends to undertake a matter, then let him pray two supererogatory units of prayer and after which he should supplicate..." [Dua: Supplication for seeking guidance (Al-Istikharah)]
Another excellent practice is the Duha (forenoon) prayer, which the Prophet ﷺ himself used to pray. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to offer the Duha Prayer as four Rak‘ahs and sometimes as much more as Allah willed." [Sahih Muslim, hadith 11280] This prayer is a beloved act of devotion that brings you closer to Allah, and making dua after it is a blessed time.
You can also make dua during the last third of the night, especially with the Qunoot Al-Witr prayer, where you raise your hands and sincerely ask Allah for guidance, protection, and forgiveness. The dua of Qunoot includes the beautiful words: "O Allah, guide me along with those whom You have guided, pardon me along with those whom You have pardoned, be an ally to me along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless for me that which You have bestowed." [Dua: Qunoot Al-Witr]
Practical advice: Before making your dua, start by praising Allah, sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, and then ask for your needs with sincerity and humility. You can also use the dua of the Night of Power: "O Allah, You are the Most forgiving, and You love to forgive, so forgive me" [Dua: Night of Power]—forgiveness opens the doors to acceptance. Remember, the key is not just the extra prayer itself, but the sincerity and presence of heart you bring to it. You can find all these duas and prayer times in your Al Muslim Plus app—check the Invocations section for the full texts and the Prayer section for guidance on voluntary prayers.