يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيْثُ
O Ever-Living, O Self-Subsisting Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek help.
Yā ḥayyu yā qayyūmu bi-raḥmatika astaghīth.
When to Read
This powerful dua is perfect for those moments when you feel drained, overwhelmed, or simply need a boost of spiritual and physical energy. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this to his beloved daughter Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) when she asked for a servant to help her with household chores. Instead of a physical servant, he ﷺ gifted her this dua, showing us that true strength and assistance come from Allah alone. Recite it when you wake up feeling sluggish, before undertaking a difficult task, or anytime you feel your energy reserves are low.
How to Read
The Prophet ﷺ taught this dua as a direct supplication to Allah. It's best recited with sincerity and conviction, calling upon Allah by His most beautiful names: Al-Hayy (The Ever-Living) and Al-Qayyum (The Self-Subsisting Sustainer). Raise your hands if possible, facing the Qiblah, and say it with a hopeful heart, recognizing that all power and sustenance originate from Him. Make it a habit, perhaps saying it after Fajr prayer or whenever you feel the need for divine support.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua teaches us to turn to Allah for all our needs, big or small. The names Al-Hayy and Al-Qayyum are immense, encompassing Allah's eternal existence and His absolute independence and control over all creation. Seeking refuge in His mercy (raḥmah) is the key to unlocking His assistance. By teaching this to Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet ﷺ highlighted its significance for worldly burdens and the importance of relying on Allah's power over any created means. It's a reminder that true energy and capability are gifts from Him.
Source & Authentication
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), the daughter of the Prophet ﷺ, came to the Prophet ﷺ asking for a servant. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'O my daughter, what I tell you will be better for you than a servant.' Then he said: 'Say: O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Great Throne, our Lord and the Lord of all things, Revealer of the Torah, the Injeel, and the Furqan, I seek refuge in You from the evil of every evil-doing creature which You seize by its forelock. O Allah, You are the First, than Whom nothing is before You; You are the Last, than Whom nothing is after You; You are the Apparent, than Whom nothing is above You; You are the Hidden, than Whom nothing is nearer than You. Let Your bounty relieve me of the need for others, and suffice me with Your mercy from seeking help from anyone other than You.' It was also narrated on the authority of Anas that Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet ﷺ for a servant, and he said to her: 'O my daughter, do not ask me for a servant, but say: O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Great Throne, our Lord and the Lord of all things, the One Who causes the grain and the date-stones to sprout, the Revealer of the Torah and the Injeel and the Furqan, I seek refuge in You from the evil of every evil-doer. You are the One Who will seize [all] by the forelock. Verily Your party are the victorious. O Allah, You are my Helper, and You are my Helper, and You are my Helper.' Another narration states that when Fatimah asked him for a servant, he said: 'Shall I not guide you to something better than a servant? When you go to bed, say: *Subhan Allah* (Glory be to Allah) thirty-three times, *Alhamdulillah* (All praise is due to Allah) thirty-three times, and *Allahu Akbar* (Allah is the Greatest) thirty-four times. That will be better for you than a servant.' Later, Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 'Should I not teach you the words that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught me? He taught me to say when I go to bed: O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Great Throne, our Lord and Lord of all things, Revealer of the Torah, the Injeel, and the Furqan, I seek refuge in You from the evil of every evil-doing creature which You seize by its forelock. O Allah, You are the First, than Whom nothing is before You; You are the Last, than Whom nothing is after You; You are the Apparent, than Whom nothing is above You; You are the Hidden, than Whom nothing is nearer than You. Let Your bounty relieve me of the need for others, and suffice me with Your mercy from seeking help from anyone other than You.' This particular dua, 'Yā ḥayyu yā qayyūmu bi-raḥmatika astaghīth,' is found in Sunan At-Tirmidhi and is a concise yet profound invocation for help and sustenance, stemming from the broader context of seeking Allah's aid for all needs.