اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
Guide us to the straight path – The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.
Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim. Siratal-ladhina an'amta 'alayhim ghayril-maghdubi 'alayhim wa lad-dallin.
When to Read
This profound dua, part of Surah Al-Fatiha, is recited in every unit (rak'ah) of all five daily prayers. It is also a powerful plea for guidance to be made at any time, especially when seeking clarity, making decisions, or reaffirming one's commitment to truth.
How to Read
Recite with a present heart, deeply reflecting on its meaning. Understand that you are asking Allah, the All-Knower, for the most precious gift of correct guidance and protection from deviation. Feel the weight of your request and the hope it carries.
Virtues & Benefits
Allah Himself teaches us this essential dua. It is a direct plea for the **straight path**, identified as the path of 'those upon whom You have bestowed favor' – namely, the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous (An-Nisa 4:69). By reciting it, you seek alignment with the best of humanity and protection from the paths of those who earned Allah's wrath or went astray. It is also a fundamental pillar of every prayer; the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, 'There is no prayer for one who does not recite the Opening of the Book (Al-Fatiha)' (Sahih al-Bukhari 756).