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 manner.
Allahumma a'inni 'ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni 'ibadatik.
When to Read
This powerful supplication is particularly relevant when you find yourself struggling to wake up for Tahajjud or Qiyam al-Layl (night prayer). Recite it just before you try to rise from your sleep, or even as you are lying in bed, asking Allah for the strength and ability to overcome the sleepiness and laziness that often impede our night worship.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a humble heart, recognizing that true ability to worship Allah comes only from Him. Imagine yourself performing acts of remembrance, gratitude, and beautiful worship as you say the words. It's best recited when you are conscious of your struggle, perhaps when your alarm rings and you feel the pull of sleep, or when you resolve to pray Tahajjud but feel the inertia of laziness.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is a comprehensive request for assistance in the core aspects of our relationship with Allah: remembering Him (dhikr), being grateful to Him (shukr), and worshipping Him well (husn 'ibadah). By asking for help in these areas, we are essentially asking for the spiritual energy and focus needed to overcome physical and mental obstacles like sleepiness and laziness. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this to a companion who asked him for advice on how to pray well, indicating its broad applicability to improving all forms of worship, including night prayer.
Source & Authentication
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "A strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than a weak believer, although there is good in both. Be keen to do that which benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not desist from seeking help from Allah. And if you are afflicted with something, then do not say: 'If only I had done that,' but say: 'Qaddara Allahu wa ma sha'a fa'ala' (Allah has decreed and whatever He wills He does), for 'if' opens the way for the Shaytan." Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) was also reported to have said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) taught us: 'Allahumma a'inni 'ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni 'ibadatik.' (O Allah, help me to remember You, to give thanks to You, and to worship You in the best manner.)" - [Sunan Abi Dawud 1530, Sahih Muslim 2664]