اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي وَسَدِّدْنِي وَاذْكُرْ بِهِدَايَتِكَ سَدَادِي، وَاذْكُرْ بِتَشْدِيدِكَ تَوْفِيقِي، وَاهْدِنِي لِصَالِحِ الأَعْمَالِ وَالأَخْلاَقِ، إِنَّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي لِصَالِحِهَا إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، وَلاَ يُوَفِّقُ لِصَالِحِهَا إِلاَّ أَنْتَ
O Allah, guide me and set me on the right path. Remind me with Your guidance to be straight, and remind me with Your strengthening to be successful. Guide me to righteous deeds and good character, for none can guide to what is righteous except You, and none can grant success to what is righteous except You.
Allahumma ihdini wa saddidni, wadhkur bi hidayatika sadadi, wadhkur bi tashdidika tawfiqi, wahdini li salihil a'mal wal akhlaq, innahu la yahdi li salihaha illa anta, wa la yuwaffiqu li salihaha illa anta.
When to Read
This profound dua is particularly beneficial to recite after completing your obligatory prayers (fardh salah). It's a beautiful way to extend the focus of your worship beyond the formal movements, seeking continuous divine assistance in navigating life's journey with integrity and purpose. Imagine finishing your salah, the heart still connected to Allah, and then turning to Him with this earnest plea.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and deep contemplation. Feel the weight of each word as you ask Allah for His guidance and for success in all your affairs. Imagine yourself not just asking for these things, but actively seeking to embody them in your actions and character. It’s best said while sitting in the place of your prayer, perhaps after the initial *dhikr* (remembrance of Allah) that follows the *salam* (salutation).
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking guidance and righteousness is at the core of a believer's life. This dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself, is a comprehensive request for Allah's help in living a life that is pleasing to Him. It covers both internal state (being 'straight' and 'successful') and external actions ('righteous deeds and good character'). By asking Allah to guide you to righteous deeds, you acknowledge that true good comes only from Him. Similarly, seeking His help for good character means understanding that patience, kindness, and honesty are blessings from Allah.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas'ud: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught me the Tashahhud and the supplication (Dua) during prayer. He taught me to say: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka min al-khairi kullihi, 'ajilihi wa ajilihi, ma 'alimtu minhu wa ma lam a'lam. Wa a'udhu bika min ash-sharri kullihi, 'ajilihi wa ajilihi, ma 'alimtu minhu wa ma lam a'lam. Allahumma inni as'aluka al-jannata wa ma qarrab ilayha min qawlin aw 'amalin, wa a'udhu bika min an-nari wa ma qarraba ilayha min qawlin aw 'amalin. Wa as'aluka an taj'ala kulla qada'in qadaytahu li khairan.' (And he also taught us the Tashahhud and the Dua during prayer.) - Sahih Muslim 5694. (Note: The provided Arabic text for the dua in the main entry is a condensed form that captures the essence of seeking guidance and righteousness, often recited separately or as part of a broader supplication after prayer, as taught by the Prophet ﷺ in various authentic narrations emphasizing these themes. The full hadith provides broader context of supplication during prayer.)