رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
My Lord, grant me from among the righteous [offspring].
Rabbī hab lī minas-ṣāliḥīn
When to Read
This powerful supplication is made by Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) during a time when he was seeking righteous progeny. It's beautiful to recite this dua when thinking about starting a family, when facing difficulties in conception, or at any time you wish to pray for your existing children to be righteous and a source of joy and blessing in this life and the hereafter. Making it a regular part of your personal supplications, perhaps after obligatory prayers, is a wonderful practice.
How to Read
Recite this verse with sincerity and full conviction in Allah's ability to answer. Have a clear intention for righteous children who will be a comfort to you and a benefit to the Ummah. Raise your hands as you would for other supplications, facing the Qiblah if possible, and believe that Allah hears and will respond in the best way. It can be recited individually or as a couple together.
Virtues & Benefits
The primary benefit is seeking Allah's grant of righteous children, who are indeed a form of sustenance. Righteous children are a treasure in this life and a means of ongoing reward in the hereafter, as their good deeds can continue to benefit their parents even after death. Allah mentions this dua in the context of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) being granted his son Ismail (peace be upon him), a prophet of Allah himself. The Quran states: "So when they had both submitted to the will of Allah, and he had laid him on the forehead (in sacrifice), We:** > **Arabic:** نَادَيْنَاهُ أَن يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ > **Translation:** "We called out to him, 'O Abraham,' > **Transliteration:** *Nādaynāhu an yā Ibrāhīm* > **Arabic:** قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ الرُّؤْيَا ۚ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ > **Translation:** "You have fulfilled the vision.' Indeed, that is how We reward the doers of good. > **Transliteration:** *qad ṣaddaqta ar-ru'yā. innā kadhālika najzī al-muḥsinīn* > **Arabic:** إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ الْبَلَاءُ الْمُبِينُ > **Translation:** "Indeed, this was the clear trial. > **Transliteration:** *inna hādhā lahuwa al-balā'u al-mubīn* > **Arabic:** وَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ > **Translation:** "And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice. > **Transliteration:** *wa-fadaynāhu bidhibḥin 'aẓīm* > **Arabic:** وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِي الْآخِرِينَ > **Translation:** "And We left for him [mention] among later generations. > **Transliteration:** *wa-taraknā 'alayhi fī al-ākhirīn* > **Arabic:** سَلَامٌ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ > **Translation:** "Peace upon Abraham. > **Transliteration:** *Salāmun 'alā Ibrāhīm* > **Arabic:** كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ > **Translation:** "Thus do We reward the doers of good. > **Transliteration:** *kadhālika najzī al-muḥsinīn* > **Arabic:** إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ > **Translation:** "Indeed, he was of Our believing servants. > **Transliteration:** *innahu min 'ibādinā al-mu'minīn* **Then the dua follows:** > **Arabic:** رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ > **Translation:** "My Lord, grant me from among the righteous [offspring]." > **Transliteration:** *Rabbī hab lī minas-ṣāliḥīn* > **Arabic:** فَبَشَّرْنَاهُ بِغُلَامٍ حَلِيمٍ > **Translation:** "So We gave him good tidings of a forbearing boy. > **Transliteration:** *fa-bashsharnāhu bi-ghulāmin ḥalīm* — Quran As-Saffat (37:100-112). This shows that praying for righteous children is a practice of the Prophets, and it led to the fulfillment of Allah's promise.