اللَّهُمَّ اهدِنِي لِمَن هَدَيتَ، وَعَافِنِي لِمَن عَافَيتَ، وَتَوَلَّنِي لِمَن تَوَلَّيتَ، وَبَارِك لِي فِيمَا أَعطَيتَ، وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيتَ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقضِي وَلا يُقضَى عَلَيكَ، وَإِنَّهُ لا يَذِلُّ مَن وَالَيتَ، تَبَارَكتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيتَ
O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, grant me well-being among those You have granted well-being, take me into Your care among those You have taken into Your care, bless me in what You have given, and protect me from the evil of what You have decreed. For You decree, and none can decree against You. And none can humiliate whom You have befriended. Blessed and Exalted are You, our Lord.
Allahumma ihdini liman hadait, wa 'afini liman 'aafait, wa tawallani liman tawallait, wa barik li fima a'tait, wa qini sharra ma qadait, fa innaka taqdhi wa la yuqdha 'alaik, wa innahu la yadhillu man walait, tabarakta Rabbana wa ta'alait.
When to Read
This powerful supplication is perfect for recitation at any time, but especially beneficial during the later stages of life. It's a request for continued guidance, health, protection, and divine support as one navigates the challenges of aging. Consider reciting it during your morning or evening supplications, or whenever you feel the need for Allah's special care and assistance.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a humble heart, reflecting on each phrase. It’s recommended to raise your hands slightly, as was the practice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, when making such earnest pleas. Focus on the meaning of each word, envisioning Allah's power and mercy as you ask for His help. The Prophet ﷺ often repeated his supplications three times, so you may choose to do the same for added emphasis.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, encapsulates essential requests for a believer in any stage of life, particularly poignant for elders. It asks for: 1. **Guidance:** 'Ihdini liman hadait' – seeking steadfastness on the straight path, which becomes even more crucial as life’s journey nears its end. 2. **Well-being:** 'Wa 'afini liman 'aafait' – requesting continued physical and spiritual health, a paramount concern in old age. 3. **Divine Care:** 'Wa tawallani liman tawallait' – asking to be taken under Allah’s special protection and guardianship. 4. **Blessings:** 'Wa barik li fima a'tait' – seeking abundance and goodness in all that Allah has provided, including health, family, and provision. 5. **Protection from Evil Decree:** 'Wa qini sharra ma qadait' – a profound request to be shielded from the potential hardships and trials of old age and the final outcome of our deeds. The dua concludes by acknowledging Allah's absolute sovereignty and the impossibility of His decree being overturned or overcome, affirming that those under His protection are never humiliated. It's a holistic request for divine sufficiency.
Source & Authentication
Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ visited a bedouin who was not in the habit of visiting anyone. The Prophet ﷺ said to him: 'O so-and-so, what prevents you from visiting us?' He said: 'I do not visit you except that I am afraid of you.' He said: 'You have nothing more to fear from me than that I will not say good to you.' He said: 'How do you say good?' He said: 'I say: O Allah, guide me among those whom You have guided, and grant me well-being among those whom You have granted well-being, and take me into Your care among those whom You have taken into Your care, and bless me in what You have given, and protect me from the evil of what You have decreed. For You decree, and none can decree against You. And none can humiliate whom You have befriended. Blessed and Exalted are You, our Lord.' (He said): 'And I say this in the morning every day and in the evening.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Then you will not be sent away, or any good will come to you.' He said: 'And I say: O Allah, grant me sustenance by the grace of Your provisions.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Say in the morning: O Allah, Owner of all sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will, You exalt whom You will and You humble whom You will, in Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent. (Quran 3:26)' He said: 'And I say: O Allah, Lord of my prayer, make it a light, and a source of my heart, and a removal of my anxiety and a removal of my grief.' Mu'awiyah said: 'And the Prophet ﷺ taught me this and I would not leave it.'