اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهَا وَخَيْرَ مَا جَبَلْتَهَا عَلَيْهِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ مَا جَبَلْتَهَا عَلَيْهِ
O Allah, I ask You for its goodness and the goodness of what You have naturally created it with, and I seek refuge in You from its evil and the evil of what You have naturally created it with.
Allahumma inni as'aluka khairaha wa khaira ma jabaltaha 'alayhi, wa a'udhu bika min sharriha wa sharri ma jabaltaha 'alayhi.
When to Read
This dua is recommended to be recited when a child is born, specifically when a parent is contemplating or choosing a name for their newborn. It's an expression of entrusting the child and the decision to Allah. It can be recited immediately after the birth or at any point during the naming process.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a humble heart, directing your supplication to Allah. Raise your hands if you are able. It is best to recite it individually or as a couple. Focus on the meaning of the words, asking Allah to bless the child with a good name and a righteous character, and to protect them from evil influences.
Virtues & Benefits
Choosing a good name for a child is a significant right the child has over the parent. This dua invokes Allah's blessing and protection over the newborn and the chosen name, seeking the best of both this life and the hereafter. It acknowledges Allah's perfect creation and His dominion over all matters, including the character and destiny of our children. By seeking His guidance, parents aim to select a name that carries a positive meaning and reflects Islamic values, which can be a source of ongoing blessing for the child.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas: That the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Give your children good names, for if you give them good names, it will be like you are giving them a good reputation. And if you give them evil names, it will be like you are giving them an evil reputation.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 5102). It was narrated from 'A'ishah: That the Prophet (ﷺ) used to change evil names. (Sunan Abi Dawud 5101). Ibn 'Abbas said: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'A man among you may ask for his need in his prayer, but he is not given it until the time he is given it is beneficial for him, or until he is given what Allah has decreed for him. A man may ask Allah for something, but Allah says: 'Postpone this for My slave because of what I know of his benefit.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 5103). It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The most beloved of names to Allah are 'Abdullah and 'Abdur Rahman.' (Sahih Muslim 2132). The dua mentioned above is a general supplication for seeking goodness when starting any endeavor, and it is particularly fitting when seeking Allah's blessing and guidance in naming a newborn, as it encompasses seeking the best of the child's nature and protection from its potential evils.