اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ
O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You in the best manner.
Allahumma a'inni 'ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni 'ibadatika
When to Read
This is a foundational dua that should be made regularly, especially after the obligatory prayers. It's particularly relevant when you intend to wake for Tahajjud or Qiyam al-Layl, as it asks for assistance in remembrance, gratitude, and excellent worship, all of which are pillars of night prayer.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and focus after completing your obligatory prayers. Place your hands on your chest, over your heart, and feel the plea resonating within. Let your intention be pure: seeking Allah's help to overcome sleep and the distractions of this world to stand before Him in worship.
Virtues & Benefits
This powerful dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to a companion, is a comprehensive request for spiritual strength. By asking for help in remembrance (dhikr), gratitude (shukr), and excellent worship (husn 'ibadah), we are essentially asking for the ability to perform Qiyam al-Layl with focus, presence, and a grateful heart. It directly addresses the challenges of waking up, the potential for heedlessness during prayer, and the importance of fulfilling Allah's rights upon us. It's a key to unlocking the sweetness of worship.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ saw a man who was dozing and distracted during his prayer. He said: 'O so-and-so, do you know what the people are doing? Allah says: 'When Allah wills good for His servant, He punishes him in this world.' The Prophet ﷺ also said: 'When Allah wills evil for His servant, He withholds from him the repentance until he dies.' Then he said: 'When anyone of you performs Wudu and does it perfectly, then prays two Rak'ahs focusing on them with his heart and face, Paradise becomes incumbent upon him.' He said: 'And I shall tell you the way of that.' I said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Perform Wudu perfectly, then say: Allahumma a'inni 'ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni 'ibadatika (O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You in the best manner). Then pray two Rak'ahs, between the first and second Rak'ah, and in the second Rak'ah, recite the Tashahhud and the Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ, then supplicate for what you wish from the goodness of this world and the Hereafter, and then say Taslim, and then say: Allahumma inni as'aluka min fadlik (O Allah, I ask You from Your bounty). ...' (Sunan Abi Dawud 1522). While the full hadith discusses specific prayer practices, the core dua for seeking assistance in remembrance, gratitude, and worship is universally applicable.