اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ رِضَاكَ وَالْجَنَّةَ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ وَالنَّارِ
O Allah, I ask for Your pleasure and Paradise, and I seek refuge in You from Your displeasure and the Fire.
Allahumma inni as'aluka ridak wal-jannah wa a'udhu bika min sakhatika wan-nar
When to Read
This comprehensive dua is perfect for recitation during Tahajjud, particularly in the profound moments of the night when one is seeking Allah's closeness. It can be included in your personal supplications during the prostration (sajdah) or while sitting after the prayer. It's a beautiful way to encapsulate your ultimate desires: Allah's pleasure, Paradise, and protection from His anger and the Hellfire.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a focused heart. Visualize the meaning of seeking Allah's pleasure above all else, and His protection from His anger. Combine it with the acts of worship during Tahajjud, such as reciting Quran, making istighfar (seeking forgiveness), and reflecting on Allah's blessings. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized that sincere supplication is a powerful means of drawing closer to Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking Allah's pleasure is the ultimate goal for a believer, as it is the key to true happiness and success in this life and the next. Paradise is the eternal abode of bliss promised to those who earn Allah's pleasure. Conversely, seeking refuge from Allah's displeasure and the Fire is a crucial act of protection. Reciting this during Tahajjud amplifies its significance, as night prayers are a time when supplications are believed to be readily accepted. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Our Lord descends to the nearest heaven in the last third of the night and says, 'Who is calling on Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me to grant his request, so that I may fulfill it? Who is seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?' (Sahih al-Bukhari 1145, Sahih Muslim 758).
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to say after finishing his prayer: اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَفْتُ، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ. (This is a different dua but highlights seeking forgiveness and acknowledging Allah's power). Another relevant teaching from the Prophet ﷺ is: 'When you go to your bed, recite the Ayatul Kursi and the last verse of Surah Al-Baqarah. Allah will appoint a guard for you and Satan will not come near you until morning.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 5010). While not the exact dua, these traditions emphasize the importance of supplication and seeking protection during the night.