اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي وَسَدِّدْنِي، وَاذْكُرْ بِالهُدَى هِدَايَتَكَ لِلطَّرِيقِ، وَالسَّدَادِ سَدَادَ السَّهْمِ
O Allah, guide me and make me firm (in right conduct). And remind, through guidance, Your guidance to the right path, and through firmness, the straightness of an arrow.
Allahumma ihdini wa sad-didni, wadhkur bil-huda hidāyataka lit-tarīqi, was-sadādi sadād-as-sahmi.
When to Read
This profound dua is best recited immediately after finishing your obligatory prayers (Salat). It's a perfect moment to connect with Allah after seeking His presence during prayer, asking Him to imbue your life with direction and unwavering resolve as you re-engage with the world.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely after you complete the Tasleem (saying 'Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah' on both sides). Raise your hands in supplication as you normally would after prayer, focusing on the meaning of each word. Visualize the guidance of Allah as a clear path before you and your own resolve as strong and unwavering as a well-aimed arrow.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates a comprehensive request for divine assistance. 'Ihdini' (guide me) asks for Allah's direction in all aspects of life, from major decisions to daily routines, ensuring we stay on His Deen. 'Sad-didni' (make me firm/straighten me) seeks steadfastness in the face of challenges and temptations, asking Allah to keep us aligned with righteousness. The latter part of the dua uses beautiful metaphors, comparing guidance to finding the right path and firmness to the unswerving trajectory of an arrow, illustrating the clarity and precision we are seeking from our Creator.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas'ud: The Prophet ﷺ supplicated: 'O Allah, I ask You for guidance, righteousness, chastity, and self-sufficiency.' And he supplicated: 'O Allah, guide me and make me firm (in right conduct). And remind, through guidance, Your guidance to the right path, and through firmness, the straightness of an arrow.' (Sahih Muslim 2721 also has a similar narration). Sunan Abi Dawud 969: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught us the Tashahhud and mentioned two of the supplications: 'O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the punishment of Hell, I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave, I seek refuge with You from the trial of the Dajjal, and I seek refuge with You from the trial of life and death.' Then one of the narrators mentioned a similar wording to this: 'O Allah, guide me and make me firm (in right conduct). And remind, through guidance, Your guidance to the right path, and through firmness, the straightness of an arrow.'