اَللَّهُمَّ اَلْهِمْنِي رُشْدِي وَقِنِي شَرَّ نَفْسِي
O Allah, inspire within me guidance and protect me from the evil of my soul.
Allahumma alhimni rushdi wa qini sharra nafsi
When to Read
This dua is particularly potent when recited during Tahajjud, the voluntary night prayer. As you stand in the stillness of the night, seeking closeness to Allah and dedicating yourself to understanding His Book, this supplication can open your heart to deeper reflection and insight into the Quranic verses you recite or ponder.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a humble heart. Focus your intention on seeking Allah's help to grasp the profound meanings of the Quran. Visualize your heart opening to the divine wisdom contained within the verses. It can be recited once or multiple times, especially at the beginning or end of your Tahajjud prayer, or during the moments of prostration (sujood).
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking Allah's inspiration for guidance ('rushdi') is a direct request for the intellect and spiritual sense to be illuminated, enabling a clearer perception of truth. Protecting oneself from the 'evil of the soul' (sharra nafsi) is crucial, as arrogance, misinterpretation, or a lack of sincerity can create barriers to understanding Allah's words. This dua, by asking for both illumination and inner purity, helps prepare the heart to receive the light of the Quran.
Source & Authentication
The Hadith is narrated by Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to supplicate: 'O Allah, I ask You for the guidance that is perfect, piety that will save me, and certainty that will not leave me in doubt.' He also used to say: 'O Allah, inspire within me guidance and protect me from the evil of my soul.' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3500). While the first part of the hadith focuses on general guidance and certainty, the second part, 'Allahumma alhimni rushdi wa qini sharra nafsi,' is directly relevant to seeking inner capacity for understanding and avoiding self-deception, which are vital for comprehending the Quran.