اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنَى
O Allah, I ask You for guidance, God-consciousness, chastity (purity), and self-sufficiency (contentment).
Allahumma inni as'alukal-huda wat-tuqa wal-'afafa wal-ghina
When to Read
When you're observing a fast, whether it’s a day in Ramadan or a voluntary fast, you might feel a heightened sense of resolve, but also a stronger pull towards desires – a fleeting thought about food, a surge of irritation, or an unwelcome urge. This dua is a potent shield for those moments. Recite it whenever you feel your resolve wavering, during your *Suhoor* to fortify your intention, throughout the day when temptations arise, or as you near *Iftar*, seeking steadfastness until the end. It's not just for specific urges; it's a general plea for inner strength and purity that helps us navigate *all* of life's challenges, particularly amplified during fasting.
How to Read
To truly benefit from this dua, approach it with a **sincere heart and full presence of mind**. Understand the profound meanings of what you are asking for: * ***Al-Huda (Guidance):*** To be guided in all your actions and thoughts, away from misguidance. * ***At-Tuqa (God-consciousness):*** The inner awareness of Allah that prevents you from sinning and pushes you towards good. This is the ultimate guard against desires. * ***Al-'Afaf (Chastity/Purity):*** To guard yourself against unlawful desires and acts, keeping your body and soul pure. This is particularly relevant when fasting is meant to purify us. * ***Al-Ghina (Self-sufficiency/Contentment):*** Not just worldly wealth, but inner richness and contentment with what Allah has provided, freeing you from craving what is forbidden or unnecessary. While you can make this dua at any time, consider reciting it after *wudhu*, especially during moments of quiet reflection. Raising your hands during dua is a beautiful Sunnah practice that shows humility and earnestness before Allah. Believe with certainty that Allah hears and responds.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, is a fountain of blessings, especially pertinent during fasting. By asking for *huda* and *tuqa*, you are requesting the very foundations of a righteous life, which empower you to discern right from wrong and act upon it. Fasting is a direct lesson in *taqwa*, and this dua reinforces that lesson. The request for *'afaf* directly addresses the core purpose of resisting temptations. Fasting is a physical and spiritual exercise in self-control; it teaches us to abstain from lawful things for a time, so we can better abstain from unlawful things always. Seeking *'afaf* in this context strengthens our resolve against forbidden desires – whether of food, gaze, speech, or thought. Finally, *al-ghina* brings inner peace and contentment, removing the spiritual poverty that often drives us to seek satisfaction in fleeting, forbidden pleasures. Making this dua regularly, especially when fasting, means you're actively seeking Allah's aid in achieving the very spiritual purification and discipline that fasting is meant to instill.
Source & Authentication
The Companion Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to supplicate with these profound words, encompassing essential aspects of a believer's inner and outer well-being. The hadith states: > **Arabic:** حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَأَبُو كُرَيْبٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَةُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَدْعُو اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنَى > > **Translation:** Abu Bakr b. Abi Shaiba and Abu Kuraib both reported: Abda b. Sulaiman narrated to us from Hisham b. 'Urwa from his father from Abdullah b. Mas'ud who said that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to supplicate (in these terms): "O Allah, I beg of You guidance, piety, chastity and self-sufficiency." > > **Transliteration:** *Haddathana Abu Bakr b. Abi Shaiba, wa Abu Kuraib qala Haddathana 'Abda b. Sulaiman, 'an Hisham b. 'Urwa, 'an Abihi, 'an 'Abdullah b. Mas'ud, qala kana Rasulullahi ﷺ yad'u Allahumma inni as'alukal-huda wat-tuqa wal-'afafa wal-ghina* > > — Sahih Muslim 2721