أَللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّى عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَ شُكْرِكَ وَ حُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ

 

Allahumma a`inni `alaa dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni `ibaadatika^[1]

 

Oh Allah, with ease and abundance, allow me, to remember You, to thank You and to serve You in the best way possible.

 

I consider this prayer to be very valuable; therefore, I place it in the forefront of all my dhikr formulas.

Rasulullah (saw) taught this prayer through Muaz Bin Jabal, who was a most beloved and close companion of the Rasul (saw).

Muaz Bin Jabal explains:

“One day Rasulullah (saw) held my hand and said, “Oh Muaz… I swear by Allah I love you dearly! Let me recommend something to you that you may read at the end of each salat (before giving salam) and never refrain from reading it… Say –“Oh Allah, with ease and abundance, allow me, to remember You, to thank You and to serve You in the best way possible.”

In reflecting on how Rasullullah (saw) taught this prayer and advised it be consistently read to his beloved companion, especially by verifying and testifying his love through giving an oath! Given the above, you be the judge of how important this prayer is!

 

أَللَّهُمَّ أَلْهِمْنِى رُشْدِى وَأَعِذْنِى شَرَّ نَفْسِى

 

Allahumma l-himni rushdi wa a`idhni sharri nafsi^[2]

 

Oh Allah, please inspire me my spiritual direction. I seek refuge in You from the evil acts of my identity (ego).

 

Upon becoming Muslim, Imran Bin Husayn (ra) came to the Rasul of Allah (saw) and reminded him:

“Oh Rasulullah, you had promised me that if I was to become a Muslim you would teach me some words (that will significantly benefit me).”

Rasulullah (saw) replied,

“Husayn, supplicate this as your prayer: Oh Allah, please inspire me my rushd (maturity). I seek refuge in You from the evil acts of my identity-self soul (ego-nafs).”

Following the direction of this hadith, I practice and find benefit from this prayer and so I recommend this prayer be included in the general prayer list and be repeated at least 300 times a day

 

أَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّى أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ وَ حُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ

 

Allahumma inni as-aluka hubbaka wa hubbi man yuhibbuka

Oh Allah, I ask for Your love, and to love those who love You.

 

Ebu Derda reports that:

“The Rasul of Allah (saw) said ‘from among humankind, David (as) was the most esteemed in worship’ then he continued and said ‘This was the prayer of David; O Allah, I ask for Your love, and to love those who love You. I ask for the love towards the acts that will draw me to Your love, Oh Allah, let Your love be dearer to me than my own self and my family, let Your love be dearer to me than cool water.”^[3]

Hence, there is not much more I can say other than that this prayer is also one that I have included in my daily prayer list and one that I recommend to everyone.

 

أَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا سَأَلَكَ مِنْهُ نَبِيُّكَ مُحَمَّدٌ ﴿صَلَّ ﷲُ عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلَّمَ﴾ وَ نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَااسْتَعَاذَ مِنْهُ نَبِيُّكَ مُحَمَّدٌ ﴿صَلَّ ﷲُ عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلَّمَ﴾ وَأَنْتَ مُسْتَعَانٌ

 

Allahumma inna nasaa’luka min khayr maa saa’laka minhu nabee’uka Muhammadin wa n-`audhu bika min sharri maa s-t`aadha minhu nabee’uka sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam wa anta l-must`aan

 

Oh Allah, whatever good Your Rasul Muhammad (saw) wanted from You, I too want that, and whatever evil from which he sought refuge in You , I too seek refuge in You from them… For You are Musta’anu (helper).

 

Ebu Umame (ra) narrates:

One day the Rasul of Allah (saw) made a very long prayer and we could not memorize any of it. Upon this we said…

“Oh Rasul of Allah, you made such a long prayer that we were not able to memorize any of it.”

The Rasul of Allah (saw) replied:

“Shall I show you a prayer that encompasses all of this prayer? Pray like this: Oh Allah, whatever good Your Rasul Muhammad (saw) wanted from You, I too want that, and whatever evil from which he sought refuge in You, I too seek refuge in You from them… for You are Musta’anu (helper). All ends meet with You, power and strength is only by Allah.”^[4]

Again, it was the Rasul of Allah (saw) who taught us this comprehensive prayer that encompasses all needs, desires and protection…