اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ فِعْلَ الْخَيْرَاتِ وَتَرْكَ الْمُنْكَرَاتِ وَحُبَّ الْمَسَاكِينِ وَأَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي وَتَرْحَمَنِي وَإِذَا أَرَدْتَ فِتْنَةَ قَوْمٍ فَتَوَفَّنِي غَيْرَ مَفْتُونٍ أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ وَحُبَّ عَمَلٍ يُقَرِّبُ إِلَى حُبِّكَ
O Allah, I ask You for the performance of good deeds, the abandonment of evil deeds, and the love of the poor. And that You forgive me and have mercy on me. And if You intend a trial for a people, then take me to You without being put to trial. I ask You for Your love, the love of those who love You, and the love of deeds that bring me closer to Your love.
Allahumma inni as'aluka fi'lal-khayrat, wa tarkal-munkarat, wa hubbal-masakeen, wa an taghfira li wa tarhamani. Wa idha aradta fitnata qawmin fatawaffani ghayra maftoon. As'aluka hubbak, wa hubba man yuhibbuk, wa hubba 'amalin yuqarribu ila hubbik.
When to Read
This comprehensive dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself, can be recited at any time of day or night, particularly during your personal supplications (dua) for your children. It is especially beneficial to recite it for them, asking Allah to instill these beautiful qualities in their hearts from a young age. As children grow, parents can also teach them this powerful dua to recite for themselves, encouraging them to reflect on its profound meanings regarding goodness and compassion towards all people.
How to Read
When reciting this dua for your children, or teaching it to them, begin by praising Allah and sending salutations upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Raise your hands in supplication, a sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, and reflect on the deep meanings of each phrase. Focus on asking Allah to cultivate in your children's hearts a genuine desire to do good, to shun evil, and especially to have **love and compassion for the poor and needy (masakeen)**. Understand that 'love of the poor' encompasses a broader empathy for all those in need and indeed, all of Allah's creation. Recite with sincerity and conviction, truly believing that Allah can instill these noble traits.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua for your children, or teaching it to them, brings numerous benefits rooted in the prophetic guidance: 1. **Cultivates a Love for Good Deeds:** The dua explicitly asks for 'the performance of good deeds' (*fi'lal-khayrat*), encouraging children to proactively seek and engage in actions that please Allah and benefit humanity. 2. **Fosters Empathy and Compassion:** The mention of 'the love of the poor' (*hubbal-masakeen*) directly targets the development of empathy, kindness, and mercy towards the less fortunate, a cornerstone of Islamic character. 3. **Develops Moral Conscience:** By asking for 'the abandonment of evil deeds' (*tarkal-munkarat*), children are guided to avoid harmful actions, both for themselves and others, building a strong moral compass. 4. **Instills Allah's Love:** The ultimate request for 'Your love, the love of those who love You, and the love of deeds that bring me closer to Your love' anchors their character in devotion to Allah, ensuring their empathy stems from a divine source. 5. **Shapes Righteous Character:** This comprehensive dua contributes to the overall development of a righteous, well-rounded Muslim personality that is kind, just, and compassionate towards all of Allah's creation, reflecting the Prophet's ﷺ teachings of mercy to all.
Source & Authentication
Mu'adh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'I saw my Lord, the Mighty and Sublime, in the most beautiful form. He said: 'O Muhammad!' I said: 'Here I am, my Lord, at Your service.' He said: 'What did the High Assembly dispute about?' I said: 'I do not know, my Lord.' He repeated it three times. He said: 'Then I saw Him place His Hand between my shoulders, until I felt the coolness of His fingertips between my breasts. And everything became clear to me, and I knew. He said: 'O Muhammad!' I said: 'Here I am, my Lord, at Your service.' He said: 'What did the High Assembly dispute about?' I said: 'About the expiations.' He said: 'What are they?' I said: 'Walking to the congregational prayers, sitting in the mosques after prayers, performing ablution thoroughly despite difficulties.' He said: 'Then what?' I said: 'Feeding people, being soft in speech, and praying at night when people are sleeping.' He said: 'Ask (Allah).' I said: `Allahumma inni as'aluka fi'lal-khayrat, wa tarkal-munkarat, wa hubbal-masakeen, wa an taghfira li wa tarhamani. Wa idha aradta fitnata qawmin fatawaffani ghayra maftoon. As'aluka hubbak, wa hubba man yuhibbuk, wa hubba 'amalin yuqarribu ila hubbik.` (O Allah, I ask You for the performance of good deeds, the abandonment of evil deeds, the love of the poor, and that You forgive me and have mercy on me. And if You intend a trial for a people, then take me to You without being put to trial. I ask You for Your love, the love of those who love You, and the love of deeds that bring me closer to Your love.)' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'It is true, so study it and learn it.'