اللَّهُمَّ لَا تُؤَاخِذْنِي بِغِرَّةِ (أي بغفلة) وَلَا تُدْرِكْنِي بِغَرَّةِ (أي بغفلة) وَلَا تَجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ
O Allah, do not seize me in my heedlessness, do not let me be overtaken by heedlessness, and do not make me among the heedless.
Allahumma la tu'akhidhnī bi-ghirrati wa la tudriknī bi-ghirrati wa la taj'alnī min al-ghāfilīn
When to Read
This dua is suitable to be recited after the Isha prayer, especially if you intend to stay up for optional night prayers (Qiyam al-layl). It’s a beautiful way to acknowledge our human tendency towards heedlessness and seek Allah's protection from it, particularly when aiming for a night of worship.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a focused heart after offering your Isha prayer. It's a personal supplication, so ensure you understand its meaning and ask Allah with conviction. Make it a habit before you settle down for the night, or when you consciously decide to stay awake for prayer.
Virtues & Benefits
This supplication seeks Allah's protection from heedlessness, which can lead to missing out on opportunities for good deeds and spiritual growth. By asking not to be seized or overtaken by heedlessness, we are essentially asking to remain aware and present in our worship and our lives. It’s a profound request to be counted among those who are mindful and attentive to Allah's commands, making our Qiyam al-layl, if we perform it, more meaningful and accepted.
Source & Authentication
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) never used to leave these words unsaid when evening came: 'Allahumma la tu’akhidhni bi-ghirrati wa la tudriknī bi-ghirrati wa la taj’alnī min al-ghāfilīn'. (Sahih. This was stated by Al-Albani in Sahih Abi Dawud. The phrase 'bi-ghirrati' means: in my heedlessness. The phrase 'la tudriknī bi-ghirrati' means: do not let me be overtaken by heedlessness. This is a request for Allah not to seize him suddenly in his heedlessness, and not to let him be overtaken by heedlessness).