05. Prophetic Du'a for Guidance (Sahih Muslim)
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commenced the prayer when he got up at night. Then he said:
Prophetic Du'a for Guidance in Arabic
اِهْدِنِي لِمَا اخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِكَ إِنَّكَ تَهْدِي مَنْ تَشَاءُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ
Prophetic Du'a for Guidance English Transliteration
Ihdini limakhtulifa fihi minal-haqqi bi'idhnika innaka tahdi man tasha'u ila siratim mustaqim
Prophetic Du'a for Guidance English Translation
Guide me through that which there has been difference concerning the truth, verily, You are upon a straight path.
Hadith about the Dua
Arabic Text
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، وَعَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، وَأَبُو مَعْنٍ الرَّقَاشِيُّ قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا عِكْرِمَةُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ، بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ أُمَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِأَىِّ شَىْءٍ كَانَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَفْتَتِحُ صَلاَتَهُ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ قَالَتْ كَانَ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ افْتَتَحَ صَلاَتَهُ " اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ جِبْرَائِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ وَإِسْرَافِيلَ فَاطِرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ اهْدِنِي لِمَا اخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِكَ إِنَّكَ تَهْدِي مَنْ تَشَاءُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ " . '
Abd al-Rahman b. 'Auf reported: I asked 'A'isha, the mother of the believers, (to tell me) the words with which the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commenced the prayer when he got up at night. She said: When he got up at night he would commence his prayer with these words: O Allah, Lord of Gabriel, and Michael, and Israfil, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who knowest the unseen and the seen; Thou decidest amongst Thy servants concerning their differences. Guide me with Thy permission in the divergent views (which the people) hold about Truth, for it is Thou Who guidest whom Thou wilt to the Straight Path. [Muslim: 770]
Benefits of prophetic dua for guidance
Prophetic dua for guidance brings many good things to a Muslim’s life when said with true belief.
- This dua helps people see the right way when life or faith feels hard to understand
- Brings the heart closer to tawheed and helps follow the straight way
- Makes us trust in Allah’s plan and wisdom even stronger
- Prophetic dua for guidance gives peace when people face hard truths or have to choose between things
- It helps pick what makes Allahhappy in daily life
- Helps Muslims act with truth and fairness
- Reminds Muslims how important dua is from hadith and how it links to the sunnah of the Prophet
When to Recite prophetic dua for guidance
There are special times when saying the prophetic dua for guidance helps Muslims the most.
- When someone feels lost or unsure about what is right or which way to go
- Before starting something new or a big step that needs Allah’s help to choose right
- When people do not agree about what is true or about Islamic teachings
- While trying to get closer to Allahin daily zikr or after salah
- When learning more about Islam, tawheed, and what tawheed means in Islam
How to Do Prophetic Dua for Guidance
The prophetic dua for guidance from sahih muslim should be said with care and real feeling for the best help.
- Start by praising Allahand saying la ilaha illallahu wahdahu, and keep your heart ready for guidance
- Say the prophetic dua for guidance in Arabic, or use the meaning if you do not know the Arabic
- Make a real wish in your heart for Allahto show you the truth and the straight way
- Ask with full trust in Allah’s kindness and power, knowing only He can guide to the right path
- Say the dua many times, mostly when you feel lost or need help with big choices
Summary
The prophetic dua for guidance from sahih muslim is a simple but strong Islamic dua. It asks Allahto show the right way when things are not clear. Muslims say it to get clear help, mostly when there is a fight over what is true or when making choices.
By asking Allahwith this dua, Muslims show they trust His wisdom and that He can lead them to the straight way. The prophetic dua for guidance reminds Muslims to trust Allahin every time also keep their hearts close to tawheed and the teachings of Islam.