اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهَا وَخَيْرَ مَا جَبَلْتَهَا عَلَيْهِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ مَا جَبَلْتَهَا عَلَيْهِ.
O Allah, I ask You for the good of her and the good of what You have created her with, and I seek refuge in You from the evil of her and the evil of what You have created her with.
Allahumma inni as'aluka khayraha wa khayra ma jabaltaha 'alayhi, wa a'udhu bika min sharriha wa sharri ma jabaltaha 'alayhi.
When to Read
This powerful dua is specifically for when you are seeking a spouse. It's particularly relevant during the engagement period or when you have identified a potential partner and are seeking Allah's blessing and guidance before making a commitment. Recite it with sincerity before or after the proposal, or even during istikhara prayer for marriage.
How to Read
Recite this dua with a sincere heart, focusing on your intention to seek the best for yourself and your potential spouse. It's best recited after you have performed the two rak'at of Istikhara prayer, or at least with full focus and humility. Imagine yourself presenting your need directly to Allah (Glory be to Him). The phrasing focuses on seeking the inherent goodness within the person and the good qualities Allah has bestowed upon them, while also seeking protection from any potential negative traits. This shows a balanced approach, acknowledging that all creation has both good and potential challenges.
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking Allah's guidance in marriage is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This dua is a comprehensive supplication that covers both seeking positive attributes and protection from negative ones. By reciting this, you are entrusting your future to Allah, the All-Knowing and All-Wise. It helps ensure that your choice is not based on superficialities but on the deeper character and disposition of the person, which is crucial for a lasting and blessed union. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The best of you is the best to his wife, and I am the best of you to his wife." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5216). This emphasizes the importance of character in a spouse.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us the dua for seeking goodness when marrying a woman. The dua is: "Allahumma inni as'aluka khayraha wa khayra ma jabaltaha 'alayhi, wa a'udhu bika min sharriha wa sharri ma jabaltaha 'alayhi." This means: 'O Allah, I ask You for the good of her and the good of what You have created her with, and I seek refuge in You from the evil of her and the evil of what You have created her with.' This hadith, found in Sahih Muslim (Book 10, Hadith 3424), highlights the Prophet's (peace be upon him) practical guidance in seeking a spouse. While this specific phrasing is often attributed to the context of marrying a woman, the principle of seeking goodness and protection in a potential spouse applies universally, and variations of the dua can be adapted for men as well, focusing on seeking the goodness of the man and what Allah has created him with.