اللَّهُمَّ أَحْيِنِي مِسْكِينًا وَأَمِتْنِي مِسْكِينًا وَاحْشُرْنِي فِي زُمْرَةِ الْمَسَاكِينِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
O Allah, let me live as a poor person, and let me die as a poor person, and raise me among the poor on the Day of Resurrection.
Allahumma ahyini miskinan wa amitni miskinan wa-ḥshurni fi zumrati-l-masakin yawma-l-qiyamah
When to Read
This dua is profoundly reflective. It's best recited during times of contemplation, perhaps after Fajr prayer, or before sleep, when you are reflecting on your life and your connection to others. It's not about seeking poverty, but about cultivating a humble heart that remembers the less fortunate and strives to alleviate their suffering.
How to Read
Recite this dua with a sincere heart, focusing on the intention behind it. It’s not a literal wish for destitution, but a powerful supplication to remain grounded, connected to the struggles of the poor, and to avoid the arrogance that wealth can sometimes bring. Ponder on the meaning of 'miskin' (needy/poor) not just in terms of material lack, but also spiritual neediness before Allah. After reciting, try to actively remember those struggling around you and consider how you can help.
Virtues & Benefits
This hadith, though seemingly paradoxical, is a profound lesson in humility and empathy. By asking to be raised among the poor, the Prophet ﷺ is teaching us to value the state of those who are often overlooked and to avoid the spiritual dangers of wealth and status. The benefits lie not in the state of poverty itself, but in the character it cultivates: compassion, gratitude, and a deep understanding of humanity. The Prophet ﷺ himself said, 'You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you of something that, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salam amongst yourselves.' (Sahih Muslim 54). This dua encourages that very connection.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'O Allah, let me live as a poor person, and let me die as a poor person, and raise me among the poor on the Day of Resurrection.' He was asked why, and he said: 'Indeed the poor will enter Paradise before the wealthy, by half a day, which is five hundred years.' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2352). Graded Hasan by Al-Tirmidhi.