اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ فِعْلَ الْخَيْرَاتِ، وَتَرْكَ الْمُنْكَرَاتِ، وَحُبَّ الْمَسَاكِينِ، وَإِذَا أَرَدْتَ فِي النَّاسِ فِتْنَةً فَتَوَفَّنِي غَيْرَ مَفْتُونٍ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ، وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ، وَحُبَّ عَمَلٍ يُقَرِّبُ إِلَى حُبِّكَ
O Allah, I ask You for the ability to do good deeds, to abandon evil deeds, and to love the poor. And when You intend to test people, take me to Yourself [in death] without testing me. And I ask You for Your love, and the love of those who love You, and the love of any deed that brings me closer to Your love.
Allahumma inni as'aluka fi'lal khayrat, wa tarkal munkarat, wa hubbal masakin, wa idha aradta fin-nasi fitnatan fa tawaffani ghaira maftoon. Wa as'aluka hubbak, wa hubba man yuhibbuk, wa hubba 'amalin yuqarribu ila hubbik.
When to Read
This dua is profound for anyone who feels the sting of injustice, either witnessing it directly or hearing about it. When you see a grave wrong being committed, and your heart swells with anger, and you feel a strong urge to react, recite this. It's a comprehensive plea for guidance and for the strength to channel your feelings into productive action rather than destructive rage. It's also beneficial when you feel overwhelmed by the state of the world and the prevalence of wrongdoing.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and a humble heart. Focus on each part of the request: the commitment to good, the avoidance of evil, the empathy for the less fortunate, and the ultimate plea for protection from trials and for divine love. Visualize the Prophet's ﷺ own supplications for these noble qualities. It can be recited anytime, but it is particularly potent during moments of emotional turmoil when faced with injustice.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to Abu Dhar (may Allah be pleased with him), is a powerful tool for spiritual and emotional regulation. It helps us: 1. **Channel righteous anger constructively:** Instead of succumbing to destructive rage, we ask Allah to enable us to 'do good deeds' and 'abandon evil deeds' in response to injustice. 2. **Cultivate empathy:** Asking for the 'love of the poor' softens the heart and reminds us of those most affected by societal ills. 3. **Seek protection from fitnah:** The plea to be taken before being tested by widespread trials is a profound request for spiritual preservation. 4. **Attain Divine Love:** The ultimate goal is to gain Allah's love and the love of those who love Him, which naturally guides our actions towards what is pleasing to Him.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said to Abu Dhar (may Allah be pleased with him): 'O Abu Dhar, shall I not teach you two qualities which are lighter to carry on the back and will bring you the most benefit?' Abu Dhar said: 'Yes, O Messenger of Allah!' He said: 'O Abu Dhar, guard against that which is forbidden, and it will be enough for you to be a worshipper. And be content with what Allah has divided for you, and it will be enough for you to be rich. O Abu Dhar, love the poor and draw near to them, and Allah will draw near to you on the Day of Resurrection. O Abu Dhar, speak the truth even if it is bitter. O Abu Dhar, do not fear the blame of any blamer in the matter of Allah.' Then he placed his hand on his chest and said: 'O Abu Dhar, surely the most excellent of deeds is to love for the sake of Allah and to hate for the sake of Allah, and to make your sustenance by way of trade, and to guard against evil.' Then he said: 'O Abu Dhar, I see that you are weak. I love for myself what I love for you. O Abu Dhar, take from your leader (i.e. ruler) and do not ask for it. For surely, it is sustenance, and the best sustenance is that which is not asked for. And behind him is a prohibitor and a keeper (i.e. an angel). And I see you have a lean flock. So, go to the people of the distant villages and their sheep, and take from them, and do not be ashamed.' He then said: 'O Abu Dhar, if you take the command of some affairs, then beware of the temptation of your own self and your desires, for indeed, the worst of the affairs for you is that which you have tempted yourself with. And if you are asked to rule, then be merciful. And if you are given charge of the sheep, then do not neglect them, and do not betray them.' He then said: 'O Abu Dhar, shall I not teach you a treasure from the treasures of Paradise?' Abu Dhar said: 'Yes, O Messenger of Allah!' He said: 'La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.' (There is no might nor power except with Allah). Then he said: 'O Abu Dhar, do you know what is the best deed?' Abu Dhar said: 'That is knowledge and striving in the way of Allah.' The Prophet ﷺ said: 'No.' He said: 'Then what is it?' He said: 'To be silent except for good.' Then he said: 'O Abu Dhar, do you know the first of the three who will enter Paradise?' Abu Dhar said: 'Allah and His Messenger know best.' He said: 'A ruler who rules justly, a man who finds no need of others because of his austerity, and a man who is poor and has a family, and says: "La ilaha illallah" (There is no god but Allah) while being patient.' Then he said: 'O Abu Dhar, do you know the first of the three whom Allah will look at on the Day of Resurrection with His glance?' Abu Dhar said: 'Allah and His Messenger know best.' He said: 'A man who was given the wealth and its rights were not fulfilled, and a man who sold a free man and ate his price, and a man who was in debt and dies while he owes the debt, and he did not make any arrangement for its payment.' He said: 'O Abu Dhar, when you cook meat, put more water in it, so that you may have some broth for your neighbours.' Then he said: 'O Abu Dhar, when you anger, then hold your tongue and remain silent.'