اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي وَسَدِّدْنِي، وَاذْكُرْ بِعُصْمَتِكَ مِنْ سُؤَالِي، وَأَعِذْنِي مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي، وَلَا تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ
O Allah, guide me and set me aright, and remember Your protection in my request, and protect me from the evil of my soul, and do not entrust me to my soul for the blinking of an eye.
Allahumma ihdini wa saddidni, wadhkur bi'usmatika min su'ali, wa a'idhni min sharri nafsi, wa la takilni ila nafsi tarfata 'ainin
When to Read
This profound dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to his companion Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), is perfect for any Muslim seeking divine guidance, including children navigating the complexities of friendships and peer pressure. Recite it when you feel your child is facing difficult social situations, or as a regular supplication for their well-being and moral compass. It's particularly useful during times of transition, like starting a new school or joining new activities.
How to Read
This dua can be recited at any time, but it's most potent when said with sincere intention and concentration. Encourage your child to say it themselves, or recite it for them with conviction. Raising hands slightly while making dua is a Sunnah, and facing the Qiblah is recommended. Ensure the child understands the meaning so their heart is engaged with the words.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is comprehensive, encompassing the best of what a person can ask for. It directly requests Allah's guidance and straightening of one's path, which is crucial for children making choices. Seeking refuge in Allah from the evil of one's own soul protects against bad inclinations that can be amplified by negative peer influence. The plea not to be left to oneself, even for a moment, highlights our utter dependence on Allah, the ultimate protector and guide for our children.
Source & Authentication
Narrated `Ali: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent me, Zubair and Miqdad on a mission and said: 'Go forth, and wherever you find a Mushrik (polytheist), strike the necks of them... but do not kill a child.' Then he said: 'Whatever you get in the form of booty, it is for one fifth, and the rest is for you.' And Ibn Shihab (a narrator) said: 'Ali ibn al-Husayn (a narrator) used to recite this with the sentence: 'Allahumma-h-fadhni min sharri nafsi, wa 'azimi 'alayya al-rushdi' (O Allah, keep me safe from the evil of my soul and grant me steadfastness in guidance). And he used to recite: 'Allahumma-h-dini wa saddidni, wa-dh-kur bi 'usmatika min su'ali, wa a'idhni min sharri nafsi, wa la takilni ila nafsi tarfata 'ain.' (O Allah, guide me and set me aright, and remember Your protection in my request, and protect me from the evil of my soul, and do not entrust me to my soul for the blinking of an eye).'