اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادُكَ الصَّالِحُونَ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا اسْتَعَاذَ بِكَ مِنْهُ عِبَادُكَ الصَّالِحُونَ
O Allah, I ask You for the good that Your righteous servants ask of You, and I seek refuge in You from the evil that Your righteous servants seek refuge from.
Allahumma inni as'aluka min khairi ma sa'alaka 'ibadukal-salihun, wa a'udhu bika min sharri ma-sta'adha bika minhu 'ibadukal-salihun
When to Read
This profound dua is recited in the final Tashahhud of the prayer, just before concluding with the Tasleem (saying 'Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah' to the right and left). It's a crucial moment when you are closest to your Lord, after completing the main acts of worship within the Salah. This is the time to ask for what truly matters, drawing from the wisdom of those who came before us.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely with concentration (khushu') during the final sitting of your prayer, after reciting the Tashahhud and Salawat on the Prophet ﷺ. Picture yourself in the presence of Allah, expressing your deepest desires for good and seeking His protection from all harm, just as the best of His creation did. Raise your hands slightly, if you can, as is the custom when making dua in prayer. Ensure your pronunciation is clear and your intention is pure.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates the essence of seeking the best in both worlds. By asking Allah for what His 'ibad al-salihun (righteous servants) asked for, you are tapping into a proven method of supplication that is beloved to Allah. It covers a comprehensive range of blessings – the good of this life (wealth, health, family, knowledge, peace) and, more importantly, the immense good of the Hereafter (Jannah, closeness to Allah, forgiveness, ease on the Day of Judgment). Simultaneously, you are seeking refuge from all forms of evil, both worldly and otherworldly, that could hinder your spiritual progress or lead to ruin. It teaches us to emulate the supplications of those whose faith and connection with Allah were strong.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Ibn Mas'ud that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught them the Tashahhud, he also taught them a specific dua to say in the end of the prayer: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka min khairi ma sa'alaka 'ibadukal-salihun, wa a'udhu bika min sharri ma-sta'adha bika minhu 'ibadukal-salihun.' (O Allah, I ask You for the good that Your righteous servants ask of You, and I seek refuge in You from the evil that Your righteous servants seek refuge from.)