اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ
O Allah, help me to remember You, to give thanks to You, and to worship You in the best way.
Allahumma a'inni 'ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni 'ibadatik.
When to Read
This dua is recited before starting any act of worship, including waking up for Tahajjud. It can be said as you are stirring or upon fully waking, to set the intention and seek Allah's assistance to overcome the initial discomfort and laziness that can accompany waking for night prayer.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a heartfelt plea to Allah. Visualize yourself actively remembering Allah, being grateful for the opportunity to worship, and performing the prayer with devotion. It's best recited before you even begin to get out of bed, grounding your intention for the worship ahead.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua encapsulates the essence of a believer's success. By asking Allah for help in remembrance, gratitude, and good worship, one is seeking the very tools needed to overcome the struggle of waking for Tahajjud. It transforms the act from a burden into an act of seeking Allah's pleasure. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this to his companion Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) when he asked for a dua to say upon waking. (Sunan Abi Dawud 1530).
Source & Authentication
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Abu Bakr: 'Should I not teach you some words to say when you wake up, and when you go to bed?' Abu Bakr said: 'Yes, O Messenger of Allah!' He said: 'Say: O Allah, Knower of the unseen and the apparent, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Lord of everything and its Sovereign, I bear witness that there is no god but You. I seek refuge in You from the evil of my soul and from the evil of Satan and his polytheism, and from bringing evil upon myself or casting it upon any Muslim.' And he said: 'Say when you wake up: O Allah, I ask You for the knowledge that is useful, and the good provisions, and the deeds that are accepted.' And when you go to bed, say: O Allah, I ask You for a good provision of sleep, and the good provisions of the day, and seek refuge in You from the night, and from the miseries of the day, and I ask You for the glad tidings of all good, and seek refuge in You from all evil.' Abu Dawud said: 'I found the following in Abu Bakr's copy: O Allah, help me to remember You, and to give thanks to You, and to worship You in the best way.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 1530, also found in Sunan An-Nasa'i 1301 with slight variation).