اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنَى
O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and self-sufficiency (freedom from need).
Allahumma inni as'alukal-huda wat-tuqa wal-'afafa wal-ghina
When to Read
This is a comprehensive dua that can be recited at any time, particularly when seeking Allah's help to navigate the complexities and potential pitfalls associated with both abundant wealth and extreme poverty. It's a powerful supplication to maintain balance and spiritual well-being regardless of one's financial circumstances.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and focus, lifting your hands as you would in other supplications. Reflect on the meaning of each request: guidance to the right path, God-consciousness, purity of character that shields from sin, and contentment or freedom from dependence on others. The Prophet ﷺ used to say this dua frequently.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is incredibly comprehensive, seeking protection from the trials that both wealth and poverty can bring. **Guidance (Al-Huda):** Asking for guidance protects us from straying, whether that straying comes from the arrogance of wealth or the desperation of poverty. **Piety (At-Tuqa):** God-consciousness is the shield that helps us use wealth responsibly and endure poverty with patience, always remembering Allah. **Chastity (Al-'Afaf):** This refers to inner purity and refraining from seeking what is impermissible. Wealth can tempt one into unlawful gains or extravagance, while poverty can lead to illicit means or envy. Asking for 'afaf protects against both. **Self-sufficiency (Al-Ghina):** This isn't necessarily asking for immense riches, but rather a contentment and freedom from dependency on creation. It means feeling rich in one's heart, not needing to beg or be overly anxious about provision. This state protects from the greed and extravagance that wealth can foster, and the humiliation and despair that poverty can bring.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abdullah bin Mas'ud: The Prophet ﷺ supplicated: > **Arabic:** اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنَى > **Translation:** "O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and self-sufficiency (freedom from need)." > > He (Abdullah bin Mas'ud) said: "So, with this dua, the Prophet ﷺ would seek refuge from the evil of his soul and from the evil of his deeds." (This is a slight variation in wording in some narrations concerning the purpose of seeking refuge, but the core dua remains the same and is about seeking positive attributes and protection). > > — Sahih Muslim 2721