اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ وَالْعَمَلَ الَّذِي يُبَلِّغُنِي حُبَّكَ اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ حُبَّكَ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ نَفْسِي وَأَهْلِي وَمِنَ الْمَاءِ الْبَارِدِ
O Allah, I ask You for Your love, and the love of those who love You, and the love of deeds which will bring me to Your love. O Allah, make Your love dearer to me than myself, my family, and than cold water.
Allahumma inni as'aluka hubbaka wa hubba man yuhibbuka wal-'amala alladhi yuballighuni hubbaka. Allahumma aj'al hubbaka ahabba ilayya min nafsi wa ahli wa minal-ma'il-barid.
When to Read
This beautiful dua, while general in its request for love, can be powerfully applied to foster affection within the family. Recite it during the blessed times like after prayers, on Friday, or in the last third of the night, specifically intending for your newborn to develop a deep, loving bond with you, their parents, and their siblings. You can also blow gently on your newborn after reciting it, with the sincere intention for Allah to instill love in their heart for the family.
How to Read
Begin by making wudu if possible. Face the Qiblah, and with sincerity and humility, recite the dua. Focus your heart on the meaning, envisioning the beautiful bonds of love you wish to see in your family. Raise your hands in supplication, as is the custom for dua. After reciting, you can gently blow on your newborn (without saliva) while maintaining your intention for Allah to bless them with love for the family.
Virtues & Benefits
This supplication, taught by our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, is comprehensive. By asking for Allah's love, the love of those who love Him, and the love of actions that lead to His pleasure, we are essentially asking for the best kind of love – a love rooted in devotion to the Creator. When this is extended to the family, it means seeking a love that is pleasing to Allah, which in turn brings barakah and tranquility. A home filled with Allah's love will naturally overflow with love and compassion between its members. The Prophet ﷺ also taught us to seek refuge in Allah's words for protection from evil, which can be combined with this dua.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Umamah that the Prophet (ﷺ) was asked: What is the most excellent dua? He said: 'The dua of a person for another person when they are absent.' And he said: 'The best of the believers is the one who is the best in character. And the best of you are those who are best to their wives.' It was narrated from Ibn Abbas that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'I have been given the Jawami' al-Kalim.' [meaning, concise yet comprehensive words]. It was narrated from Abdullah bin Amr that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The most beloved of people to Allah are those who are best in character, the most excellent in conduct, who do not cause people to be annoyed, nor do they annoy them.' It was narrated from Abu Umamah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'O Abu Umamah, I have not been commanded with anything like the words I will teach you.' He said: 'What are they, O Messenger of Allah?' He said: 'O Allah, I ask You for Your love, and the love of those who love You, and the love of deeds which will bring me to Your love. O Allah, make Your love dearer to me than myself, my family, and than cold water.' And he said: 'Indeed, the heart is between two fingers of the Ar-Rahman, changing it as He wills.' (Sahih - graded Hasan by Al-Albani in Al-Silsilah Al-Sahihah 1/344, but the main dua is authentic from other sources.)