اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ فِعْلَ خَيْرَاتِ، وَتَرْكَ مُنْكَرَاتِ، وَحُبَّ الْمَسَاكِينِ، وَأَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي، وَتَرْحَمَنِي، وَإِذَا أَرَدْتَ فِتْنَةً فِي قَوْمٍ فَتَوَفَّنِي غَيْرَ مَفْتُونٍ، أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ، وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ، وَحُبَّ عَمَلٍ يُقَرِّبُنِي إِلَى حُبِّكَ
O Allah, I ask You for the deeds of goodness, and abandoning evil deeds, and loving the poor, and for You to forgive me and have mercy upon me. And when You intend a trial for a people, then let me die [a death] without being tested by it. I ask You for Your love, and the love of those who love You, and the love of the deed that brings me closer to Your love.
Allahumma inni as'aluka fi'la khairat, wa tarkal munkarat, wa hubbal masakin, wa an taghfira li, wa tarhamani, wa idha aradta fitnatan fi qaumin fa tawaffani ghaira maftun. As'aluka hubbaka, wa hubba man yuhibbuk, wa hubba 'amalin yuqarribuni ila hubbik.
When to Read
This comprehensive dua is incredibly beneficial when seeking righteous companionship. While not specifically for 'making a friend,' its essence is about seeking Allah's guidance towards good deeds, avoiding evil, and loving those who are close to Him. Recite it when you feel a need for genuine connection, praying for Allah to guide you to people who will inspire you towards good and keep you away from misguidance.
How to Read
Make this dua with sincere intention and focus. Raise your hands as you would in other supplications, facing the Qiblah if possible. Ensure you are in a state of purity. Remember that Allah loves those who ask Him and responds to their calls. The meaning of this dua is profound: you are asking for Allah's help to do good, shun evil, develop compassion, and crucially, to love Him, love those who love Him, and to be guided to actions that draw you nearer to Him. This encompasses the aspiration for friends who embody these very qualities.
Virtues & Benefits
This supplication, though broad, directly cultivates the qualities needed to attract and be attracted to righteous friends. By asking for the ability to do good and avoid evil, you align yourself with virtuous actions. Loving the poor shows compassion, a key trait of good character. Most importantly, asking for Allah's love, the love of those who love Him, and the love of deeds that bring you closer to Him naturally leads you towards people who share these divine affections and pursuits. The mention of asking to die before a trial befalls a people also indicates seeking protection and steadfastness in faith, qualities you'd want in yourself and your companions.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to supplicate: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka al-huda wat-tuqa wal-'afafa wal-ghina.' (O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and richness). And he used to supplicate: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka fi'la al-khairat, wa tarkal munkarat, wa hubbal masakin, wa an taghfira li, wa tarhamani, wa idha aradta fitnatan fi qaumin fa tawaffani ghaira maftun. As'aluka hubbaka, wa hubba man yuhibbuk, wa hubba 'amalin yuqarribuni ila hubbik.' (O Allah, I ask You for the deeds of goodness, and abandoning evil deeds, and loving the poor, and for You to forgive me and have mercy upon me. And when You intend a trial for a people, then let me die [a death] without being tested by it. I ask You for Your love, and the love of those who love You, and the love of the deed that brings me closer to Your love.)