8/23. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1483 — Be Firm When Asking Allah
Regarding Supplication (Ad-Du'a)
Hadith About Being Firm When Making Dua
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1483
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1483
حَدَّثَنَا الْقَعْنَبِيُّ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ يَقُولَنَّ أَحَدُكُمُ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي إِنْ شِئْتَ اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمْنِي إِنْ شِئْتَ لِيَعْزِمِ الْمَسْأَلَةَ فَإِنَّهُ لاَ مُكْرِهَ لَهُ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Hurairah reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: "One of you should not say (in his supplication): O Allah, forgive me if You please, show mercy to me if You please.' Rather, be firm in your asking, for no one can force Him."
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1483In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 68English translation : Book 8, Hadith 1478
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1483
This hadith teaches believers how to speak when asking Allah. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said that a person should not say, “O Allah, forgive me if You please” or “show mercy to me if You please.” Instead, the person should be firm in asking. The reason given in the hadith is clear: no one can force Allah. This means the servant should ask with need, hope, and trust, not with wording that sounds unsure. The hadith is not telling a person to be proud or demanding. It is teaching proper wording in supplication. For people searching for hadith about dua, asking Allah firmly, or saying inshaAllah in dua, this narration gives direct guidance: ask Allah clearly and sincerely.
What we learn from this hadith
- Do not phrase dua for forgiveness or mercy in a doubtful way.
- Ask Allah with clear and firm wording.
- No one can force Allah, so the servant asks with humility and trust.
- The hadith teaches careful manners in the words of supplication.
