اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ نُورًا وَنُورًا عَلَى نُورٍ
O Allah, I ask You for light, and light upon light.
Allahumma inni as'aluka nooran wa nooran 'ala noor
When to Read
This beautiful dua is specifically recommended to be recited when looking into a mirror. It's a moment to reflect not just on our outward appearance, but more importantly, on the inner state of our hearts and souls. As we see our physical eyes, we ask Allah to bestow upon us inner light and to increase that light, illuminating our path in this life and the next.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and focus. As you look into the mirror, visualize the light of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) entering your heart and soul, purifying it and guiding you. Let the reflection serve as a reminder to seek the true, eternal light that comes from faith and good deeds.
Virtues & Benefits
This supplication is a profound request for spiritual illumination. 'Noor' (light) in this context refers to the light of faith, knowledge, guidance, and divine pleasure. Asking for 'noor 'ala noor' (light upon light) signifies a continuous increase in this blessed illumination, making one's understanding clearer, one's path more evident, and one's connection with Allah stronger.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say when he looked in the mirror: 'O Allah, make my outward form beautiful as You have made my outward form beautiful, and forbid my evil deeds, and make me from those who, when they see the favor of your grace, know how to praise. O Allah, grant me faith and light and guidance.' (This is the translation of a related hadith. The specific wording for the mirror dua is found in other narrations, such as the one cited in Sunan Ibn Majah.) Another narration states: 'When one of you looks in the mirror, let him say: O Allah, as You have made my creation beautiful, so make my character beautiful, and protect my face from the Fire.' (Narrated by Abu Ya'la, and classified as Hasan by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jami' 4722). The dua for 'light upon light' is a distinct yet related supplication for spiritual illumination.