First of all, we earnestly implore Allah to facilitate marriage for you very soon. There is nothing wrong as far as Shari`ah is concerned if you invoke Allah to make it easy for you to get married. One of the supplications in the Qur’an is this: (And of them (also) is he who saith: “Our Lord! Give unto us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and guard us from the doom of Fire.”) (Al-Baqarah 2:201).

The commentators explain the good in this world as a righteous spouse. You can invoke Allah to grant you a righteous spouse. If there is a particular person you want to marry, then you can ask Allah to grant you what is good or facilitate the matter for you if it really entails good, as you do not know what is really good for you. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told us that we should turn to Allah and seek His help in all matters. He alone knows all the hidden things and only He has the perfect knowledge of the future. He has power to make things easy for us and guide us to right decisions. Therefore, you are advised to have full trust in Allah and at the same time ask Him to grant you a righteous spouse and to make easy what is good for you.

Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states: We are to use our God-given resources and expend our best efforts while praying to Allah for guiding and blessing us to realize all legitimate aspirations and dreams. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Look and aspire for what is most beneficial (for you) and seek the help of Allah (while putting forth the best of your efforts) and never feign helplessness.” If, having done that, your efforts do not materialize, simply say “that was Allah’s will.” In other words, simply praying without putting forth our best efforts is not the way of Islam as taught by our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). So I advise you never give up prayer, but while doing so never be slack in doing your best to achieve your desired goal.

Here are some suggested ways:

1. Ask the people who are in positions of authority (such as imams, leaders in the community, older people who can be trusted) to help you in your search for a good husband.

2. Try to utilize the opportunities available in your community to meet prospective marriage candidates. Such avenues include marriage seminars, conferences, seminars, lectures, get-togethers.

While trying your best, never stop praying to Allah to grant you your wish. In order to do this, you may use any of the relevant prayers or supplications or improvise your own; for du`aa’can be made in your own tongue and there is no taboo on praying for things of this world and other world. I can list below a few du`aa’ that can be used for this purpose:

Rabbi inni lima anzalta ilayya min kharyin faqeer.
(My Lord, I am ever needful of any favor that You may send my way.)

Allahumma, rahmataka arju fala takilni ila nafsi tarafata `aynin wa aslih li sha’ni kullahu.
(O Allah, I beseech Your mercy, so do not abandon me to my own devices even for an instant; and straighten all of my affairs for me.)

Allahumma aghnini bi halalika `an haramika wa bi ta`atika `an ma`siyatika wa bi fadlika `amman siwaka
(O Allah, make me self-sufficient with what You have declared as halal for me so that I am not compelled to resort to that which is haram; and make me self-sufficient with Your obedience so that I am not compelled to disobey You; and make me self-sufficient with Your favor so that I do not need to look to others for favor.)

While you may read any of the above with the purpose you have in mind at all times; however, you are best advised to do so following two rak`ahs of Salat al-Hajah (Prayer for a need).