اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ قَلْبًا سَلِيمًا، وَلِسَانًا صَادِقًا، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا تَعْلَمُ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا أَعْلَمُ (وَلِمَا لا أَعْلَمُ).
O Allah, I ask You for a pure heart, and a truthful tongue. I ask You for the good You know, and I seek refuge in You from the evil I know. I seek Your forgiveness for what I know (and for what I do not know).
Allahumma inni as'aluka qalban saliman, wa lisanan sadiqan, wa as'aluka min khayri ma ta'lam, wa a'udhu bika min sharri ma a'lam, wa astaghfiruka lima a'lam (wa lima la a'lam).
When to Read
This powerful supplication is specifically recommended to be recited after finishing your obligatory prayers (salah). It's a moment when your heart is receptive, having just communed with Allah. Making dua after salah is a time when sincere petitions are often answered.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and conviction after completing the taslim (the concluding salutations) of your salah. Focus on the meaning of each phrase, asking Allah for the qualities mentioned: a heart free from doubt, envy, and ill-will; a tongue that speaks truth; seeking good and fearing evil; and acknowledging your need for Allah's forgiveness for all your shortcomings, both known and unknown.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates a comprehensive request for spiritual well-being. A 'saliman qalban' (pure heart) is one that is free from corruption and inclined towards goodness. A 'sadiqan lisanan' (truthful tongue) ensures our words align with our hearts and with reality. By asking for 'khayri ma ta'lam' (the good You know), we acknowledge Allah's superior knowledge and wisdom in granting blessings. Seeking refuge from 'sharri ma a'lam' (the evil I know) shows our awareness of our own weaknesses and the dangers we face. The final plea for forgiveness, encompassing both known and unknown sins, highlights our constant need for Allah's mercy.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abdullah: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach us the Tashahhud as he taught us a Surah of the Qur'an, saying: 'Say: Allahumma inni as'aluka min khairi ma sa'alaka 'ibaduka as-salihun wa nabiyyuk, wa a'udhu bika min sharri ma 'adha bik 'ibaduk as-salihun wa nabiyyuk (O Allah, I ask You for the good that Your righteous servants and Your Prophet ask You for, and I seek refuge in You from the evil with which Your righteous servants and Your Prophet seek refuge). Then he taught us: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka al-jannah wa ma qarraba ilayha min qawlin aw 'amalin, wa a'udhu bika min an-nar wa ma qarraba ilayha min qawlin aw 'amalin. Wa as'aluka an taj'ala kulla qada'in qadaytahu li khayran (O Allah, I ask You for Paradise and for what brings one closer to it, of speech or action. And I seek refuge in You from Hellfire and from what brings one closer to it, of speech or action. And I ask You to make every decree You decree for me good).' Later, in another narration from Abdullah, it is reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka qalbana saliman...' (O Allah, I ask You for a pure heart...)' Sahih al-Bukhari 6306, also found in other collections with variations on wording, but the essence of seeking good, refuge from evil, and a pure heart remains.