اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ وَلِيَ مِنْ أَمْرِ أُمَّتِي شَيْئًا فَشَقَّ عَلَيْهِمْ فَاشْقُقْ عَلَيْهِ، وَمَنْ وَلِيَ مِنْ أَمْرِ أُمَّتِي شَيْئًا فَرَفَقَ بِهِمْ فَاtرفُقْ بِهِ
O Allah, whoever takes charge of my Ummah in any matter and makes things difficult for them, make things difficult for him. And whoever takes charge of my Ummah in any matter and is kind to them, be kind to him.
Allahumma man waliya min amri ummati shay'an fashaqqa 'alayhim fashquq 'alayh, wa man waliya min amri ummati shay'an farafaqa bihim farfuq bih
When to Read
This dua is particularly relevant when we observe or interact with those in positions of authority, whether they are our leaders, managers, teachers, or even heads of households. It's a reminder to pray for them, asking Allah to deal with them as they deal with others. We can recite this when we see injustice or hardship caused by those in charge, or when we witness kindness and ease being offered. It serves as a check on our own prayers: are we praying for justice and mercy in leadership, or just complaining?
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a mindful heart. Reflect on the meaning: you are essentially asking Allah to mirror the treatment of the leader back onto them. If they bring ease and mercy, ask Allah to be merciful to them. If they bring hardship, ask Allah to deal with them accordingly. It’s a powerful prayer that encourages accountability for those in power and reminds us of our role in supplicating for the well-being of the community through righteous leadership.
Virtues & Benefits
This profound dua from the Prophet ﷺ highlights the immense responsibility that comes with leadership. It teaches us that our prayers can influence the nature of governance. By asking Allah to deal with rulers based on their treatment of the people, we encourage them towards mercy and justice. It also fosters a sense of community responsibility, reminding us that we should care about who governs us and how they govern. The ultimate benefit is seeking Allah's favor upon the Ummah by praying for compassionate and just leadership.
Source & Authentication
The full context from Sahih Muslim (1829) involves the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ saying this dua regarding Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him) who was distributing charity. However, the wording of the dua itself is general and applies to anyone who takes on a position of leadership or responsibility over others. The principle is that Allah's response to a leader will be in accordance with the leader's response to those under their care.