48/69. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 3483 — Dua for Guidance and Self-Protection
The Story Of The Touching Of The Supplication “O Allah, Inspire Me With Me Guidance”
Dua for Guidance and Protection from the Soul
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 3483
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 3483
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مَنِيعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنْ شَبِيبِ بْنِ شَيْبَةَ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ الْبَصْرِيِّ، عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لأَبِي " يَا حُصَيْنُ كَمْ تَعْبُدُ الْيَوْمَ إِلَهًا " . قَالَ أَبِي سَبْعَةً سِتًّا فِي الأَرْضِ وَوَاحِدًا فِي السَّمَاءِ . قَالَ " فَأَيُّهُمْ تَعُدُّ لِرَغْبَتِكَ وَرَهْبَتِكَ " . قَالَ الَّذِي فِي السَّمَاءِ . قَالَ " يَا حُصَيْنُ أَمَا إِنَّكَ لَوْ أَسْلَمْتَ عَلَّمْتُكَ كَلِمَتَيْنِ تَنْفَعَانِكَ " . قَالَ فَلَمَّا أَسْلَمَ حُصَيْنٌ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَلِّمْنِي الْكَلِمَتَيْنِ اللَّتَيْنِ وَعَدْتَنِي . فَقَالَ " قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ أَلْهِمْنِي رُشْدِي وَأَعِذْنِي مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي " . قَالَ هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ . وَقَدْ رُوِيَ هَذَا الْحَدِيثُ عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ .
Imran bin Husain narrated: “The Prophet (ﷺ) Said To My Father: ‘O Husain, How Many Deities Do You Worship Now?‘ He Said: ‘Seven. Six In The Earth, And One Above The Heavens.’ He Said: ‘So Which Of Them Do You Take For Your Ardent Requests And Fears?’ He Said: ‘The One Above The Heavens.’ He Said: ‘O Husain, If You Would But Accept Islam, I Would Teach You Two Phrases That Would Benefit You.’” He Said: “So When Husain Accepted Islam, He Said: ‘O Messenger Of Allah, Teach Me The Two Phrases You Promised Me.’ So He (ﷺ) Said: “Say: O Allah, Inspire Me With My Guidance, And Protect Me From The Evil Of My Soul (Allāhumma Alhimnī Rushdī, Wa A`Idhnī Min Sharri Nafsī).’”
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3483In-book reference : Book 48, Hadith 114English translation : Vol. 6, Book 45, Hadith 3483
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 3483
This Hadith centers on guidance and protection from the evil of the self. Husain was asked how many deities he worshipped and which one he turned to for deep requests and fears. He answered that he turned to the One above the heavens. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then said that if he accepted Islam, he would teach him two phrases that would benefit him. After Husain accepted Islam, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم taught him: “O Allah, inspire me with my guidance, and protect me from the evil of my soul.” This dua is short, direct, and easy to remember. It teaches that guidance is a gift from Allah, and that a person needs Allah’s protection even from harmful pulls within the self.
What we learn from this hadith
- Guidance is something to ask Allah for directly.
- A person should seek protection from the harmful side of the soul.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم taught short duas with deep meaning.
- Real benefit is tied to turning to Allah with sincere words.
