اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنَى
O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and contentment (richness of heart).
Allahumma inni as'alukal-huda wat-tuqa wal-'afafa wal-ghina
When to Read
This profound dua is perfect for reciting at any time, but especially when you feel a need to recommit to your path and seek Allah's assistance in doing good deeds with sincerity and excellence. It's excellent to say in the morning, after prayers, or whenever you're contemplating your actions and striving to please Allah.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a heart that genuinely yearns for Allah's help. Raise your hands if you are able, as this is a part of the Sunnah when making dua. Focus on the meaning of each word and reflect on your own shortcomings and your hope for Allah's favor. Make it a regular habit, perhaps after your obligatory prayers, to infuse your day with this intention.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates a comprehensive request for spiritual and material well-being, all aimed at enabling one to perform excellent deeds. 'Guidance' (Huda) is the foundational knowledge and direction to do right. 'Piety' (Tuqa) is the consciousness of Allah that prevents us from sin. 'Chastity' (Afaf) refers to being protected from wrongdoing, whether through self-restraint or Allah's grace. 'Contentment' (Gkina) is the richness of heart that makes one independent of others, focused solely on Allah. By asking for these, we are asking Allah to equip us with the inner and outer means to excel in whatever good deeds we undertake.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'No one dies except that he regrets. They said: What regret, O Messenger of Allah? He said: For an evildoer, he regrets that he did not do good, and for the doer of good, he regrets that he did not do more good.' [Sahih Muslim 2721] Another narration states: 'The Prophet (ﷺ) used to seek refuge in Allah from the evil of what he had done, and seek refuge in Allah from the evil of what he had not done. And he used to say: Allahumma inni as'alukal-huda wat-tuqa wal-'afafa wal-ghina.' (O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and contentment.)