اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ وَلَدِي قَلِيلاً لُطْفَكَ، وَاجْعَلْهُ عَبْدَكَ الصَّالِحَ، وَاجْعَلْهُ يَرَى الْخَيْرَ فِي كُلِّ شَيْءٍ، وَأَنْزِلْ عَلَيْهِ بَرَكَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ، وَأَطِعْهُ بِي، وَأَطِعْهُ لِي، وَاجْعَلْهُ مِنْ عِبَادِكَ الصَّالِحِينَ.
O Allah, make my child one who is gentle with Your favors, make him Your righteous servant, make him see good in everything, send down Your blessings upon him, make him obedient to me, and make me obedient to him, and make him among Your righteous servants.
Allahumma ij'al waladi qalilan lutfaka, waj'alhu 'abdak as-salih, waj'alhu yara al-khaira fi kulli shay', wa anzil 'alayhi barakatan min 'indik, wa ati'hu bi, wa ati'hu li, waj'alhu min 'ibadikas-salihin.
When to Read
This dua can be recited by parents for their children at any time, particularly when seeking Allah's guidance for them to develop qualities of patience and forgiveness. It is especially beneficial to make this supplication during times of seeking blessings, such as after salah, during the blessed nights, or when making general dua for one's offspring.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and heartfelt intention. Turn to Allah with humility, raising your hands as is customary in dua. Focus on the meaning and visualize your child embodying these noble traits. You can recite it individually or together with your spouse. It is also beneficial to teach children some of the meanings behind patience and forgiveness and encourage them to make similar duas for themselves as they grow.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua asks Allah to bestow several important qualities upon a child. It seeks for them to be appreciative of Allah's blessings ('gentle with Your favors'), a sign of good character and gratitude. It also prays for them to be a 'righteous servant,' which encompasses obedience to Allah and adherence to His commands. The dua further asks for the child to 'see good in everything,' fostering a positive outlook and preventing cynicism. Seeking 'blessings' from Allah is a gateway to all forms of goodness. The requests for mutual obedience ('make him obedient to me, and make me obedient to him') highlight the importance of a healthy parent-child relationship built on respect and understanding, which can greatly aid in guiding children towards patience and forgiveness. Ultimately, it is a prayer for them to be among the 'righteous servants' of Allah, the highest aspiration for any Muslim.
Source & Authentication
Al-Hakim narrated in Al-Mustadrak that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'Three supplications are answered without doubt: the supplication of the oppressed, the supplication of the traveler, and the supplication of the father for his child.' (Al-Hakim, Mustadrak 3715). Although this specific dua is not the full text of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) words, it is a beautiful supplication embodying the spirit of seeking righteousness for one's children, which is encouraged by the hadith that emphasizes the acceptance of a father's dua for his child.