إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ، اللَّهُمَّ اكْتُبْنِي عِنْدَكَ مَعَ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَاجْعَلْ دَمِي فِي سَبِيلِكَ هَدَرًا، اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ أَحَدِي وَأَنْتَ أَحَدُّي، اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي حُبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يَنْفَعُنِي حُبُّهُ، اللَّهُمَّ مَا رَزَقْتَنِي مِمَّا أُحِبُّ فَاجْعَلْهُ قُوَّةً لِي فِيمَا تُحِبُّ، اللَّهُمَّ وَمَا زَوَيْتَ عَنِّي مِمَّا أُحِبُّ فَاجْعَلْهُ فَرَاغًا لِي فِيمَا تُحِبُّ
Verily, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. O Allah, record me among the martyrs and make my blood-shed in Your cause accepted. O Allah, You are my only one, and You are my unique one. O Allah, grant me Your love and the love of those whose love will benefit me. O Allah, whatever You have provided me that I love, make it strength for me in what You love. O Allah, and whatever You have kept away from me that I love, make it free for me in what You love.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. Allahumma-ktubni 'indaka ma'ash-shuhada'i waj'al dami fi sabilika hadaran. Allahumma anta ahadi wa anta ahadduy. Allahumma-rzukni hubbaka wa hubba man yanfa'uni hubbuhu. Allahumma ma razaqtani mimma uhibbu faj'alhu quwwatan li fima tuhibbu. Allahumma wa ma zawayta 'anni mimma uhibbu faj'alhu faraghan li fima tuhibbu.
When to Read
This powerful dua is a profound expression of faith and submission, particularly relevant when facing the overwhelming pain of loss or grief. It's a supplication to utter when a loved one passes away, or when facing any form of significant loss that shakes one's foundations. The initial phrase, 'Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un,' is a direct response to calamity, a reminder that we are temporary custodians of all that Allah bestows upon us.
How to Read
Begin by reciting the phrase 'Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un' with a sincere heart, acknowledging Allah's decree. Then, recite the full dua with a sense of humility and reliance on Allah. It's best recited in a quiet place where you can reflect and feel the weight of the words, perhaps after obligatory prayers or during times of personal reflection. The essence is to pour your heart out to Allah, seeking His solace and strengthening your connection with Him.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua offers immense spiritual comfort and strength. By acknowledging that 'we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return,' it fosters patience (sabr) and acceptance of divine decree, key virtues in Islam. It seeks Allah's reward for those who face hardship, asking to be counted among the martyrs, a highly esteemed rank. Furthermore, it refines one's love, directing it towards Allah and those who bring one closer to Him, and seeks divine wisdom in both receiving blessings and their absence, turning every situation into an opportunity for spiritual growth and closeness to the Creator.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: 'There is no Muslim who is afflicted by a calamity and then says what Allah has commanded him: 'Verily, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. O Allah, reward me for my affliction and give me something better than it.' – except that Allah will reward him for his affliction and give him something better than it.' Umm Salamah said: 'When Abu Salamah died, I said: 'Verily, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. O Allah, reward me for my affliction and give me something better than it.' Then Allah gave me the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in exchange.' (This refers to the latter part of the dua which she recited later). [Note: The first part of the dua, 'Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un,' is a universal Quranic phrase (Al-Baqarah 2:156) to be said upon calamity. The latter part of the dua provided in the entry is a more comprehensive supplication for strength and spiritual benefit during grief, often recited alongside or after the initial acknowledgment of loss. The scholars have indicated that seeking 'something better' is permissible and even encouraged.]