2/128. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 767 — Tahajjud Dua for Guidance
The Supplication With Which The Prayer Should Be Started
Tahajjud Dua for Guidance: Asking Allah to Lead Us to the Truth
Sunan Abi Dawud : 767
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 767
حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا عِكْرِمَةُ، حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ، سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ بِأَىِّ شَىْءٍ كَانَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَفْتَتِحُ صَلاَتَهُ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ قَالَتْ كَانَ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ يَفْتَتِحُ صَلاَتَهُ " اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ جِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ وَإِسْرَافِيلَ فَاطِرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ اهْدِنِي لِمَا اخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِكَ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ تَهْدِي مَنْ تَشَاءُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ " .
Abu Salama ibn Abd ar-Rahman ibn Awf Narrated from:
I asked ‘A’ishah: By what words the Prophet(ﷺ) used to begin his prayer when he stood up at night (to offer tahajjud prayer). She said: When he stood up at night, he began his prayer by saying: O Allah, Lord of Jibra’il, Lord of Mik’ail, and Lord of Israfil, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, the Knower of what is seen and of what is unseen; Thou decides between Thy servants in which they used to differ. Guide me to the truth where there is a difference of opinion by Thy permission. Thou guidest anyone Thou wishes to the right path.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 767In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 377English translation : Book 2, Hadith 766
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 767
This hadith gives a clear dua for tahajjud and guidance. Abu Salamah asked Aisha how the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم began his prayer when he stood at night. She replied with a supplication that calls upon Allah as Lord of Jibra’il, Mika’il, and Israfil, Creator of the heavens and the earth, and Knower of what is seen and unseen. The dua then turns to a very human need: guidance when people differ. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم asked Allah to guide him to the truth by His permission, because Allah guides whom He wills to the straight path. The wording teaches that guidance is sought from Allah, especially when matters are unclear or people disagree.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم began night prayer with a dua seeking guidance.
- The supplication praises Allah as Creator and Knower of seen and unseen matters.
- The dua asks for truth where people differ.
- Guidance is presented as a gift from Allah by His permission.
