اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ رِضَاكَ وَالْجَنَّةَ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ وَالنَّارِ
O Allah, I ask for Your pleasure and Paradise, and I seek refuge in You from Your anger and the Fire.
Allahumma inni as'aluka ridak wal-jannah, wa a'udhu bika min sakhatik wan-nar
When to Read
This powerful dua is specifically recommended to be recited after finishing the obligatory prayers (fard salah). It's an excellent habit to make it a regular part of your post-prayer remembrance (dhikr), as it encapsulates seeking the ultimate goals: Allah's pleasure and the eternal bliss of Jannah, while also seeking protection from His displeasure and the Hellfire.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely with a humble heart after completing your Tasleem (the final salutation) in your prayer. Focus on the meaning of the words as you utter them. It's a direct request to Allah, so speak to Him with conviction and hope. You can raise your hands slightly in supplication after prayer for emphasis, as this is a recommended practice during dua.
Virtues & Benefits
This supplication is incredibly comprehensive. It asks for two of the greatest things a believer can attain: 1. **Allah's Pleasure (Ridwanullah):** This is the highest aspiration, as Allah's pleasure means He is pleased with us, which is a key to entering Jannah. The Quran mentions the pleasure of Allah as being "better" (At-Tawbah 9:72). 2. **Paradise (Jannah):** The ultimate abode of eternal reward for the righteous. Simultaneously, it seeks refuge from two severe punishments: 1. **Allah's Anger (Sakhatullah):** His displeasure, which leads to His punishment. 2. **The Fire (An-Nar):** The Hellfire, a place of immense suffering. Making this a habit after every prayer means you are consistently striving for the best and seeking protection from the worst, with every Salah acting as a stepping stone towards those goals. The narrator of the hadith, Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), mentioned that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to say this after completing his prayer.
Source & Authentication
The hadith is narrated by Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) commanded me and one of his daughters to recite these words after the prayer: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka ridak wal-jannah, wa a'udhu bika min sakhatik wan-nar.' (O Allah, I ask for Your pleasure and Paradise, and I seek refuge in You from Your anger and the Fire.)" - Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3513. While the specific command was to Ali and a daughter, the essence of seeking Allah's pleasure and refuge from His anger and the Fire after prayer is universally applicable to all Muslims.