اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي وَسَدِّدْنِي، وَاذْكُرْ بِهِدَايَتِكَ سَدادَ طَرِيقِي، وَاذْكُرْ بِتَوْفِيقِكَ اسْتِقامَةَ أَمْرِي، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّهُ لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ.
O Allah, guide me and make me righteous, and by Your guidance direct me to the right way, and by Your success make my affairs straight, and I bear witness that there is no god but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.
Allahumma ihdini wa saddidni, wadhkur bi-hidāyatik sadāda ṭarīqī, wadhkur bi-tawfīqik istiqāmata amrī, wa ashhadu annahu lā ilāha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atūbu ilaik.
When to Read
This powerful dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to his own companion Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) when he asked for a comprehensive supplication, can be recited for your children. You can make it a habit to recite it for them after Fajr prayer, or at any time you make personal dua, asking Allah to instill in them a love for truth and honesty. Imagine saying this as you gently place your hand on your child's head before they start their day or head to school.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and heartfelt conviction. Face the Qiblah if possible, raise your hands in supplication as the Prophet ﷺ used to do, and focus on the meaning of the words. Ask Allah to grant your children the ability to speak truthfully, to be honest in their dealings, and to always choose the path of righteousness. You can also teach this dua to your older children so they can recite it for themselves.
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that this dua is sufficient for all worldly and religious needs. By reciting it for your children, you are asking Allah to imbue them with the core values of Islam: guidance, righteousness, and steadfastness. Honesty and truthfulness are cornerstones of a believer's character, pleasing to Allah and essential for building strong relationships within the community. This dua helps cultivate these noble traits from a young age, leading them to a life of integrity and spiritual well-being.
Source & Authentication
Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, teach me a comprehensive supplication.' He said, 'Say: O Allah, guide me and make me righteous, and by Your guidance direct me to the right way, and by Your success make my affairs straight, and I bear witness that there is no god but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.' (Sahih Muslim 771). While this hadith is addressed to Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) for his own guidance, the principle of asking Allah for guidance and righteousness applies universally. When we make dua for our children, we are asking Allah to bestow these qualities upon them.