RAISING

Believers

Du’as
Every Parent
Should Know
By Sheikha Fatima Barkatulla
 Introduction
What would you expect the fate of an orphan girl born in India in the 1950s, or a
blind boy in Central Asia in the ninth century to be?

My mother was born in a small Indian town as an orphan to a widowed mother.

Her father had passed away shortly before her birth, and her mother, my
grandmother, was in frail health. Growing up, my mother often had to put her
family’s needs first, setting aside her personal aspirations. She dedicated much of
her youth to looking after my grandmother and the extended family.

One day, my mother expressed her disappointment to her mother about not
being able to study away from home at the school she really wanted to attend.
In a special moment between mother and daughter, my grandmother fixed her
gaze upon my mother and made a heartfelt du’a for her. After my grandmother
passed away, my mother went on to marry a successful scholar of Islam and
travel the world, learning many languages, which was unusual for someone from
her background. People in their town were amazed, and they believed that it
was the power of my grandmother’s prayers that had brought so many blessings
to my mother’s life. They would often say, “It’s because you received your
mother’s prayers!” My mother would agree and express her gratitude, saying,
“Alhamdulillah.”

In the ninth century in Bukhara, a boy called Muhammad bin Ismail, faced a
daunting challenge in his youth: the loss of his sight. It was an enormous test,
not just for him, but for his mother, whose heart ached for her son. Undeterred,
she turned to the most powerful tool a Muslim parent possesses — du’a. With
persistent and fervent supplication, she called upon Allah c, seeking His mercy
and healing.

One night she had a dream in which she saw the Prophet Ibrahim o telling
her, “O Lady! Allah has restored your son’s eyesight to him due to your plentiful
du’as!”

When she woke up the next morning, she found that Allah c, in His infinite grace,
had responded to her earnest pleas, restoring her son’s vision. Muhammad bin
Ismail went on to become the genius contributor to Islamic scholarship: Imam
Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him)!

The message these stories convey to us as parents is clear: embrace the power
of du’a and let it be a key companion in your journey to raising believers.

2
 The Power of a Parent’s Du’a
We cannot be with our children around the clock. Neither is it possible or practical
as they get older, to monitor their every action, exposure, or acquaintance.
However, there is someone far more powerful than us, the Knower of hearts, the
All-Seeing and All-Hearing, who is even closer to our children than we are, and
that is, undoubtedly, Allah c.

If Allah c accepts just one of our du’as, this may serve as a shield for our
children, steering their hearts and minds in the right direction, and inviting Allah’s
blessings into all areas of their lives.

The great thing is that a parent’s du’a has a special status and is more likely
to be accepted. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The
Messenger of Allah g said:

“Three supplications are answered without doubt. The supplication of the

oppressed, the supplication of the traveller, and the supplication of the parent for
his child.”
Tirmidhi 3448

It is for this reason that we are warned not to curse or make du’a against our own
children. The prophet g forbade praying against one’s children lest it be at a time
when du’as are answered. He (peace be upon him) said:

“Do not pray against yourselves, do not pray against your children, do not pray
against your wealth, lest that coincides with a time when Allah is asked and He
gives, so He accepts your prayer.”
Muslim 3014

Allah cherishes our du’as, and they can be expressed in any language,
anywhere. The Prophet g once remarked:

“Supplication is the essence of worship.” He then cited the verse, “Your Lord said:
Call upon Me, and I will respond to you. Indeed, those who are too proud for My
service will enter Hell in disgrace.” (Surah Ghafir 40:60)
Tirmidhi 3372

Turning to Allah in prayer for your little ones isn’t just a parental instinct—it’s a
necessary tool in our endeavour to nurture and raise true believers.

3
 Du’a vocalised in the
presence of the child
A heartwarming practice I’ve observed is the way some parents articulate their
supplications directly to their child following an act of kindness. For instance,
when the child offers the mother a glass of water, instead of merely expressing
gratitude, she invokes Allah’s pleasure upon her child or beseeches Allah for her
child’s well-being in both this world and the hereafter.

In fact, even when your child does something you disapprove of, remember to
make du’a for him or her! There is a story about Sheikh Abdurrahman as-Sudais’s
mother, who, when she would become upset with him, had a unique habit. She
used to say, “Go! May Allah appoint you as an Imam of the Haramain!” He has
indeed become one of the Imams of the Haram in Makkah! The next time your
child does something that bothers you, instead of resorting to negative words and
put-downs, why not say: “May Allah guide you!” After all, isn’t that what you truly
desire for them?

This practice not only nurtures goodness within the child’s heart and mind
through their hearing these supplications, but it also instills in them the value of
extending the same prayers to others and knowing how to talk to Allah and seek
His blessings in everyday life.

Indeed, my own mother, may Allah preserve her, used to gather us, her children,
and lead us in making du’a. She encouraged us to raise our hands and say
“Ameen!” This practice of making du’a not only helped us as children learn how
to communicate with Allah but also taught us about Allah’s attributes, names, and
His immense power in a way that no book could convey.

We should not limit ourselves to making du’as that we can recite in Arabic alone.
Du’a should come from the depths of our hearts, in our mother tongues, using
the language in which we feel most comfortable expressing ourselves. After all,
Allah c comprehends every language, understands every emotion, and hears the
whispers of our innermost souls.

Nevertheless, there are several du’as immortalised in the Qur’an and Sunnah that
hold immense value for us as parents. These include the prayers of the prophets
and righteous people, which are highlighted in the Qur’an by Allah c Himself.
These exemplary figures set an example for us as parents to follow. Additionally,
there are du’as recommended or mentioned by the Prophet Muhammad g, which
are encouraged as part of his Sunnah.

4
In this short guide, I will introduce you to just fifteen impactful du’as from the
Qur’an and Sunnah that hold particular significance for us as parents. Each du’a
is accompanied by its translation, transliteration (to aid with pronunciation for
those who cannot read the Arabic), and the appropriate or suggested context
for its invocation. While this list is not exhaustive, I firmly believe that these
supplications are ones that we, as parents, should be familiar with. They hold
significance either because they are prayers made by parents in the Qur’an,
have been recommended specifically for children, or because I have personally
witnessed their acceptance by Allah and the resulting blessings they bring.

5
ONE
Du’a of Prophet
Ibrahim o for a
Righteous Child
 ONE

Du’a of Ibrahim o for a Righteous

Child

In the Qur’an, in Surah As-Sāffāt (37:100), Prophet Ibrahim o escapes from his
polytheistic nation who sought to burn him and kill him. He has just lost his family
support and his own father and people are against him. He has to migrate and
build a new life and a new family. He doesn’t yet have children with his wife Sara.
In this state, Ibrahim o makes this powerful du’a and is granted a forbearing son
through his wife Hajar in response. His son is, of course, the Prophet Isma’eel o.

DU’A IN ARABIC

ْ ‫ََر ِِّب ََه‬

َ َ‫ْب ِِلى ِِمَن‬
َ‫ٱلَّص ٰٰـ ِِل ِِحيَن‬

TRANSLITERATION
Rabbi hab li mina as-saliheen.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

“My Lord! Bless me with righteous offspring”

Qur’an 37:100

BENEFIT
This du’a can be made generally to ask Allah c to grant you children, or to
make your children and future progeny righteous, with good character.

7
TWO
Du’a of Ibrahim o
and Isma’eel o for
Future Generations
 TWO

Du’a of Ibrahim o and Isma’eel o for

Future Generations
Ibrahim and Isma’eel’s du’a embodies their desire for descendents who submit to
Allah c and are true Believers. This profound supplication, found in the Qur’an,
reflects the deep concerns of a father and son seeking divine blessings and
safeguarding for their lineage. Their plea echoes across time, symbolising the
timeless connection between ancestors and descendants. Allah c answered this
du’a by blessing their progeny to become an entire nation of believers.

This Du’a should inspire us as parents to invoke Allah’s mercy, guidance, and
protection upon our children and their children, having lofty aspirations for our
descendants, and ensuring the legacy of faith and righteousness lives on through
generations.

It also shows the importance of making du’a with our children, since here Ibrahim
o and Isma’eel o are making du’a together.

DU’A IN ARABIC

َ ُ
ِ ‫اْج ََع ْْل ََنا ُُم ْْس ِِل ََم ْْي ِِن َلَ ََك ََو ِِمن ُُذِّرّ َّّي ِِت ََنا ُأَّمّ ًًة ُّّم ْْس ِِل ََم ًًة َّلّ ََك ََوَأ ِِر ََنا ََم ََن‬
‫اِس ََك ََنا‬ ْ ‫ََر َّّب ََنا ََو‬
‫الَّر ِِحيم‬ ّ ‫اُب‬ ُ ‫نَت الَّتّ َّّو‬ َ ‫ْب ََع ََل ْْي ََنا ِِإَّنّ ََك ََأ‬
ْ ‫ََو ُُت‬

TRANSLITERATION
Rabbana waj’alna muslimayni laka wa min dhurriyatina ummatam muslimatan
laka wa arina manasikana wa tub ‘alayna innaka anta tawwabur-rahim.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

“Our Lord, make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a
Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rituals of worship, and turn
towards us. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.”
Qur’an 2:128

BENEFIT
To make du’a for your future progeny to be true Believers and to be
guided by Allah c in worshipping Him. To ask Allah to forgive you for your
shortcomings.

10
THREE
Du’a of Maryam’s o
Mother Upon Her
Birth
 THREE

Du’a of Maryam’s o Mother Upon Her

Birth
The mother of Maryam o made this beautiful du’a when her baby daughter was
born. She named her Maryam and asked Allah c to protect Maryam o and
her offspring from Shaytan. So this was not only a du’a for the baby girl who
would become the greatest woman to have walked on earth, but the du’a for her
future progeny as well. That future progeny would be none other than the mighty
messenger: Isa (Jesus) o.

DU’A IN ARABIC

ُ ‫ِِإِّنّ ي ُُأ ِِع‬

ْ ‫يُذ ََها ِِب ََك ََو ُُذِّرّ َّي ََّت ََها ِِمَنَ الَّش‬
‫يِم‬
ِ ‫الَّرِّج‬
ِ ‫اِن‬ ِ ‫ّْي ََط‬

TRANSLITERATION
Inni u’ithuha bika wa dhurriyyataha min ash-shaytani ar-rajim.

The wording in the Qur’an is for a female child. For a male child, one can say:

‫يِم‬
ِ ‫الَّرِّج‬
ِ ‫اِن‬ َ
‫َط‬ ‫ّْي‬
ْ ‫َّش‬ ‫ال‬ َ‫َن‬‫ِم‬
ِ ُ
‫ُه‬ َ
‫َّت‬‫َّي‬ ّ‫ِّر‬ ‫ُذ‬ ُ ‫ِِإِّنّ ي ُُأ ِِع‬
ُ ‫يُذ ُُه ِِب ََك ََو‬
ِ
Wa inni u’ithuhu bika wa dhurriyyatahu min ash-shaytani ar-rajim.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

“And I seek Your protection for her and her offspring from Satan, the accursed.”
Qur’an, 3:36

BENEFIT
Abu Huraira said, “I heard Allah’s Messenger ‫ ﷺ‬saying, ‘There is none born
among the off-spring of Adam, but Shatan touches it. A child, therefore cries
loudly at the time of birth because of the touch of Shaytan, except Mary and
her child.” Then Abu Huraira recited: “And I seek refuge with You for her and
for her offspring from the outcast Satan” (3.36) [Bukhari and Muslim]

12
FOUR
Du’a of Prophet
Zakariyyah o for
Pure and Good
Offspring
 FOUR

Du’a of Prophet Zakariyyah o for

pure and good offspring
The Prophet Zakariyyah o found himself childless at an old age. One day
when he was inspired by seeing the reliance of Maryam o upon Allah c for her
sustenance, he made this du’a for righteous offspring. We tend to take for granted
that we will be given the blessing of children at all, let alone be given righteous
children. In this du’a, Prophet Zakariyyah o did not merely ask for a child of his
own, he asked for that child and its descendents to be pure, good and blessed
with Barakah as the Qur’anic exegetes explain. He concluded his supplication
by invoking the names and attributes of Allah c seeking to praise Him and as a
wasilah (means of drawing nearer) to Him. Invoking Allah’s names and attributes
is a practice that we too should adopt when making du’a.

DU’A IN ARABIC

ُ ‫يُع‬
ِ ‫ٱلُّد ََع‬
‫ٓاِء‬ َ ‫ْب ِِلى ِِمن ََّل ُُد‬
ُ ‫نَك ُُذ ِِّر ََّي ًۭۭة� ََط ِِّيَب ًًَة ِِإ ََّن ََك ََس ِِم‬ ْ ‫ََر ِِّب ََه‬

TRANSLITERATION
Rabbi hab li min ladunka dhurriyyatan tayyibah, innaka samee’u ad-dua’.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

“Lord, from Your grace grant me virtuous offspring: You hear every prayer.”
Qur’an, 3:38

BENEFIT
For anyone struggling with infertility, this du’a is the epitome of truly trusting
that Allah c is capable of all things regardless of age, statistics or what
medical professionals may say. Even if you have children or are expecting or
want children, this du’a is relevant, since in it we are asking Allah to bless us
with ‘tayyib’ children, which means virtuous, healthy and good.

15
FIVE
Du’a for Children to
Establish the Prayer
 FIVE

Du’a for Children to Establish the

Prayer
In Surah Ibrahim, Prophet Ibrahim o expresses gratitude and offers praises to
Allah c for accepting his du’a and granting him Isma’eel and Is-haq, even in his
advanced age. He proceeds to make the following du’a which reveals what it is,
that he considers to be the greatest thing he could pray for, for his precious sons.
He begs Allah to make establishing the prayer easy for himself and for his current
and future progeny. This theme of making du’a for future generations is one that
we find often, in the stories of the righteous. Nothing means more to Ibrahim o
than his children being true worshippers of Allah c, who obey Him and worship
Him on His terms. Here is the du’a that he made:

DU’A IN ARABIC

ِ ‫ٱلَّص ََل ٰٰو ِِة ََو ِِمن ُُذ ِِّر ََّي ِِتىۚ ۚ ََر ََّب ََنا ََو ََت ََقَّب َْْل ُُد ََع‬
‫ٓاِء‬ َ ‫يَم‬َ ‫ٱْج ََع ْْل ِِنى ُُم ِِق‬
ْ ‫ََر ِِّب‬

TRANSLITERATION
Rabbi ij’alnee muqeemas-salati wa min dhurriyyatee, Rabbana wataqabbal du’a’

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

“My Lord, make me establish the prayer, and from my descendants, Our Lord,
accept my supplication.”
Qur’an, 14:40

BENEFIT
In this du’a we ask Allah c to help us and our children to obey Him and
worship Him the way He wants to be worshipped, and especially to establish
the prayer properly. In it, we recognise that we are our children’s role
models and our relationship with Allah matters first and foremost. The prayer
represents our connection with Allah and His religion and is the second pillar
of Islam, which is known to protect us from falling into other sins, therefore
asking for it and striving to establish it in our homes is an important means
to protecting our children from falling into major sins. Establishing the prayer
can include: praying Salah properly, on time, with khushu’ (concentration)
and praying regularly and in congregation as much as possible.

17
SIX
Du’a for Children to
be Coolness of Eyes
and Leaders of the
Righteous
 SIX

Du’a for Children to be Coolness of

Eyes and Leaders of the Righteous
In Surah Furqan (25:63-76), when Allah g is describing those who are ‘Ibad
ur-Rahman’ (the true servants of the Ever-Merciful), He lists their characteristics.
One of the characteristics of the true servants of Allah is that they make and
say this comprehensive du’a. In it the believer asks Allah g to grant him or her,
spouses and offspring who are the coolness of one’s eyes and are leaders of the
pious people.

When discussing what ‘the coolness of one’s eyes’ means in this context, the
scholars explain that it means the joy one feels when they see their spouse and
children engaged in worshipping Allah g and good deeds. We can also see that
in the du’a we ask for our family to be leaders of the righteous. This denotes
being a great role-model and being at the forefront of goodness! What a beautiful
du’a!

DU’A IN ARABIC

‫اًما‬ ْ ‫ْب َلَ ََنا ِِم ْْن ََأ ْْز َٰٰو� ِِج ََنا ََو ُُذ ِِّر ََّي ٰٰـ ِِت ََنا ُُق ََّر ََة ََأ ْْع ُُي ٍٍن ََو‬
ً ‫ٱْج ََع ْْل ََنا ِِل ْْل ُُم ََّت ِِقيَنَ ِِإ ََم‬ ْ ‫ََر ََّب ََنا ََه‬

TRANSLITERATION
Rabbana hab lana min azwajina wa dhurriyyatina qurrata a’yunin waj’alna lil-
muttaqina imama.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

“Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and
make us leading examples for the righteous.”
Qur’an, 25:74

BENEFIT
In this du’a, we ask Allah c to make our spouses and families a source of
joy for us, especially in that they become true worshippers of Allah c that
He is pleased with. We ask Allah c to make our families role-models who
are at the forefront of goodness, and leaders of those people who are God-
conscious and fear Allah c.

20
SEVEN
Du’a for Placing
Children under Allah’s
Protection - the
Prophet’s Prayer for
his Grandchildren
 SEVEN

Du’a for Placing Children under Allah’s

Protection - the Prophet’s Prayer for
his Grandchildren
As reported by Ibn Abbas:

The Prophet g used to seek Allah’s protection for his grandchildren, Al-Hasan
and Al-Husayn, saying, “Verily, your forefather would seek refuge for Ismaeel and
Is-hac: I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from every devil and affliction
and every harmful eye.”
Bukhari

In another narration, the Prophet said, “I seek refuge on your behalf in the perfect
words of Allah.”

DU’A IN ARABIC

‫اَّم ٍٍة ََو ِِم ْْن ُُك ِِّل ََع ْْي ٍٍن ََل ََّم ٍٍة‬
َ ‫اٍن ََو ََه‬ ِ َ ‫اِت ال ََّل ِِه‬ ُ ‫ََأ ُُع‬
ٍ ‫اَّم ِِة ِِم ْْن ُُكِّل ََش ْْي ََط‬
َ ‫الَّت‬ ِ ‫وُذ ِِب ََك ِِل ََم‬

TRANSLITERATION
A’udhu bi kalimatillahi at-tammati min kulli shaytanin wahammah, wa min kulli
‘aynin lammah.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

I seek protection for you (both) in the Perfect Words of Allah from every devil and
affliction, and from every envious blameworthy eye.

BENEFIT
Just as we are responsible for ensuring our children are physically safe, well-
fed, and warm, it is equally as important to seek protection for them, from the
unseen world. Until a child reaches the age where they can memorise and
recite their daily adhkar (prayers and remembrance) for protection, a parent
or guardian would do well to seek protection every morning and evening for
their children through this and other du’as.

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EIGHT
Du’a for a Young
Person to be Given
Knowledge and
Understanding of the
Qur’an
 EIGHT

Du’a for a Young Person to be Given

Knowledge and Understanding of the
Qur’an
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas was a young Sahabi during the lifetime of the Prophet g.
But he grew up to become known as ‘Al-Bahr’, which means ‘the ocean’, due to
the depth and breadth of his knowledge and ability to explain every verse of the
Qur’an. This is the du’a the Prophet g made for him. We can also make this du’a
for our children so that they might have deep understanding of the Deen of Allah
and for them to properly understand the meaning of the Qur’an.

DU’A IN ARABIC

َ ‫ِّلّْم ُُه الَّتّ ْْأِو‬

‫يَل‬ ْ ‫الِّدّيِن ََو ََع‬ ْ ‫الَّلُّهَّمّ ََف‬
‫ِّقّْه ُُه ِِفي‬ ُ
ِ ِ

TRANSLITERATION
Allahumma faqqihhu fi ad-deeni wa’allimhu at-ta’weel

This wording is technically for a boy. For a girl, you can say: Allahumma faqqih-ha
fi ad-deeni wa’allimha at-ta’weel

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Ibn ‘Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him,
put his hand on my shoulder and he said, “O Allah, give him understanding in
religion and teach him the interpretation of the Quran.”
Ahmad

BENEFIT
How many young people have gone astray due to either lacking any
understanding of Islam, or having a shallow or incorrect understanding of
Islam? As parents, we can become hyper-focused on giving our children
the best worldly education, and that has its place of course. But in this du’a
we ask Allah c to grant our children the most valuable type of knowledge
and that is a deep understanding of the religion of Islam and its laws and
deep understanding of the meaning and explanation of the word of Allah, the
Qur’an.

25
NINE
Du’a to Make When
You Reach the Age of
Forty as a Parent
 NINE

Du’a to Make When You Reach the Age

of Forty as a Parent
In Surah Al-Ahqaf, ayah 15, Allah c commands people to honour their parents
describing how their mother bore them in hardship and delivered them in
hardship. The ayah continues that when a person reaches the age of 40, they
make the following du’a:

DU’A IN ARABIC

‫َت ََع ََل ََّى ََو ََع ََل ٰٰى َٰٰو� ِِل ََد ََّى ََو ََأ ْْن‬
َ ‫ََر ِِّب ََأ ْْو ِِز ْْع ِِن ٓٓى ََأ ْْن ََأ ْْش ُُك ََر ِِن ْْع ََم ََت ََك ٱ ََّل ِِت ٓٓى ََأ ْْن ََع ْْم‬
َ‫ُْت ِِإَلَ ْْي ََك ََو ِِإ ِِّنى ِِمَن‬ ُ ‫ََأ ْْع ََم ََل ََص ٰٰـ ِِل ًۭۭح� ا ََت ْْر ََضٰىٰ ُُه ََو ََأ ْْص ِِل ْْح ِِلى ِِفى ُُذ ِِّر ََّي ِِت ٓٓىۖ ۖ ِِإ ِِّنى ُُتْب‬
َ‫ْٱْل ُُم ْْس ِِل ِِميَن‬

TRANSLITERATION
Rabbi awzi’nii an ashkura ni’mataka allatii an’amta ‘alayya wa ‘alaa waalidayya
wa an a’mala saalihaan tardaahu wa aslih lii fii dhurriyyatii, innii tubtu ilayka wa
innii minal-muslimiin.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

“My Lord! Inspire me to ˹always˺ be thankful for Your favours which You blessed
me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please You. And instil
righteousness in my offspring. I truly repent to You, and I truly submit ˹to Your
Will˺.”
Qur’an 46:15

27
 NINE
BENEFIT
The Mufassireen (Qur’anic exegetes) state that this du’a has been
mentioned here to model for us the du’a we should be making when we
reach the age of 40. At 40, we are often in mid-life, where we have ageing
parents to think about as well as young children to invest in. This du’a
combines 3 generations in one, with Allah’s pleasure as our ultimate goal

By this age we will probably have regrets that we need to repent for, and so
much to be grateful for, shukr (gratitude), and tawbah (repenting and seeking
forgiveness) are both emphasised in the du’a. We may also have begun to
see some difficult behaviour from our children who are getting older. So we
ask Allah to rectify them and make them righteous.

Finally we are painfully becoming aware of our own mortality at this age,
and hence the du’a emphasises our commitment as Muslims, as those
who submit to Allah. All of these essential elements are included in this
comprehensive, powerful du’a.

28
TEN
Du’a for a Spacious
Home and Rizq
 TEN

Du’a for a Spacious Home and Rizq

Abu Musa h reported: I came to the Messenger of Allah g while he was
performing ablution and I heard him supplicating, saying, “O Allah, forgive my
sins, expand my abode, and bless me in my provision.” I said, “O Prophet of
Allah, I heard you supplicating with these words.” The Prophet g said, “Do they
leave anything out?” [Ahmad and Tirmidhi].

In my own childhood, my father, Mufti Barkatulla, printed out this du’a and would
ask us all to read it at a time when we were going through hardship and were
in danger of being evicted from our home. I remember we made this du’a every
day and very soon Allah c moved my family from one of the most impoverished
areas of London, to one of the wealthiest. We went from a cramped apartment
where I shared a bedroom with three other siblings, to each of us having our own
bedrooms and even a garden! Alhamdulillah! Every family wants space and Allah
c is the One who can grant it to us.

Here is the du’a:

DU’A IN ARABIC

‫اِرْكْ ِِلي ِِفي ِِر ْْز ِِقي‬

ِ ‫ ََو ََب‬،‫اِري‬ ْ ‫ال ََّل ُُه ََّم‬
ِ ‫ ََو ََو ِِّس ْْع ِِلي ِِفي ََد‬،‫اْغ ِِف ْْر ِِلي ََذ ْْن ِِبي‬

TRANSLITERATION
Allahummaghfirli dhanbi, wa wassi` li fi dari, wa barik li fi rizqi

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

O Allah! Forgive me my sins, make spacious for me my home and bless the
provisions which You have provided me with (i.e. increase the good in it).
Ahmad and Tirmidhi

31
 TEN

BENEFIT
Wealth and children are adornments of this worldly life. If we have one
and don’t have the other, the can cause untold distress. How many people
with wealth wish to have children, and how many with children struggle to
provide a good life for their family without wealth. Rizq includes not only
material possessions and resources such as food, wealth, and shelter
but also encompasses intangible blessings like knowledge, good health,
opportunities, and guidance.
Tawbah (repentence to Allah, and seeking His forgiveness) is a means to
increasing rizq. Prophet Nuh o informs us of this when he calls his people,
saying: “Seek your Lord’s forgiveness, for He is truly Most-Forgiving. He will
shower you with abundant rain, supply you with wealth and children, and
give you gardens as well as rivers.” [Qur’an 71:10-12]
In this du’a in three simple sentences we ask Allah for the three things that
all of us as parents want: for Allah to pardon our shortcomings, to make the
space in which we live spacious and comfortable for our family’s activities
and for our sustenance and rizq, in all its forms, to be blessed.

32
ELEVEN
Du’a for Continual
Guidance and for the
Rectification of Affairs
from Allah.
 ELEVEN

Du’a for Continual Guidance and for

the Rectification of Affairs from Allah.
Being a parent can be a lonely affair and there are times when you feel utterly
lost and in need of Allah’s guidance. This du’a is all about asking Allah to fix all of
our concerns for us and not leave us to our own or other people’s devices.

DU’A IN ARABIC

‫َل ََت ِِك ْْل ِِني ِِإَلَى ََن ْْف ِِسي ََط ْْر ََف ََة ََع ْْي ٍٍن ََو ََأ ْْص ِِل ْْح ِِلي ََش ْْأ ِِني‬ � َ ‫الَّلُّهَّمّ ََر ْْح ََم ََت ََك ََأ ْْر ُُجو ََف‬
ُ
َ ‫َل ََأ ْْن‬
‫َت‬ � َ ‫َل ِِإَلَ ََه ِِإ‬
� َ ‫ُُكَّلّ ُُه‬

TRANSLITERATION
Allahumma rahmataka arju fala takilni ila nafsi tarfata ‘aynin wa aslih li sha’ni
kullahu la ilaha ila anta

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

“O Allah, I hope for Your mercy. Do not leave me to myself even for a blink of an
eye. Correct all of my affairs for me. There is none worthy of worship except You.”
Abu Dawud, Ahmad

BENEFIT
Nothing matures us like becoming a parent, and there are times when it is
overwhelming and lonely. There are also no detailed instructions that come
with parenting your child (although the Raising Believers course is full of the
guidance from the Qur’an and Sunnah, we still need Allah to help us every
step of the way!) Of course, we are never alone when we have Allah to call
upon. He understands what we are going through, better than anyone else
and He appreciates our struggles.
In this du’a we seek Allah’s continuous guidance in this path of life and ask
Him to make each area of our lives successful. As parents we do our part,
but the results are in His hands. If Allah has mercy on us, stays close to us,
continuously guiding us and mends our shortcomings, that is the basis for a
good life.

34
T W E LV E
Du’a to Ask Allah for
Peace in the Land
You’re Living in and to
Protect Children from
Idolatry
 T W E LV E

Du’a to Ask Allah for Peace in the

Land You’re Living in and to Protect
Children from Idolatry
This supplication by Ibrahim o, in which he implored Allah c to safeguard the
land of Makkah and shield him, his offspring, and future generations from idol
worship, is full of foresight. The response to this supplication is evident in how
Allah c has safeguarded the land of Makkah and how the lineage of Ibrahim o
was enriched with prophethood, culminating in the final messenger, Muhammad
g, and the generations of believers.
DU’A IN ARABIC

‫اَم‬ � ْ ‫اْج ُُن ْْب ِِني ََو ََب ِِن ََّي ََأ ْْن ََن ْْعُب ََُد‬
َ ‫اْل أ ْْص ََن‬ ِ ‫اْج ََع ْْل َٰٰه� ََذا ْاْلَب َََل ََد‬
ْ ‫آِم ًًنا ََو‬ ْ ‫ََر ِِّب‬

TRANSLITERATION
Rabbi ij’al hadha al-balada aminan wa ajnubni wa baniyya an na’bud al-asnam

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

“My Lord, make this city [Makkah] secure and keep me and my sons away from
worshipping idols.”
Qur’an 14:35

BENEFIT
Often, we overlook the value of living in a peaceful land. In our times there
are many conflicts and calamities that have struck lands all over the world.
We can begin to take for granted that the countries in which we live are safe
from war, destruction and famine. But peace can be fragile. We cannot afford
to take it for granted. No place on earth is immune from the testing and
punishment of Allah c, so asking Allah for continuous peace is important.
All of us have descended from people who converted to Islam at some point
or another. Somewhere way back, our ancestors may have been idolators as
most people all over the world were at various points in history. The Prophet
Ibrahim o came from a land of idol worshippers and never wanted to see his
progeny fall into that again. We too should make this du’a and realise that
guidance is also not to be taken for granted. We want our future descendents
to stay on the straight path, staying away from actual idol worship, but also
from the many modern forms of idolatry, whether it is the worship of money,
fame, celebrity or material things, or falling for the various ideologies and
isms of our times that contradict Allah’s guidance.

37
THIRTEEN
Du’a for When Your
Child is Ill
 THIRTEEN

Du’a for when your child is ill

When a child is ill it can be very distressing for us as parents. This du’a is an
acknowledgment that while we seek medical remedies, ultimate healing lies with
Allah, emphasising our dependence on divine intervention. When the Prophet g
visited any ailing member of his family, he would touch the sick person with his
right hand and would supplicate this.

DU’A IN ARABIC

َ ‫الَّشافي ل ِِش ََف‬

‫اَء‬ ّ ‫َت‬ َ ‫ ََأ ْْن‬، ‫ِف‬ ْ ، ‫َأَس‬
ِ ‫واْش‬ َ ‫ ََأ ْْذ ِِهب ْاْلَب‬، ‫اِس‬ ُ
ِ ّ‫الَّلُّهَّمّ رَّبّ الَّن‬
ً ‫سَق‬
‫مًا‬ َ ‫اِد ُُر‬ ِ ‫فاًء ل ُُي ََغ‬
ً ‫ ِِش‬، َ‫اُؤَك‬ُ ‫ِِإل�ا ِِش ََف‬

TRANSLITERATION
Allahumma rabba an-nas, adhhib al-ba’sa, washfi, Anta ash-Shafi, la shifa’a illa
shifa’uka, shifa’an la yughadiru saqama

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

O Allah! The Rab of mankind! Remove this disease and cure (him/her)! You
are the Great Curer. There is no cure but through You, which leaves behind no
disease.
Bukhari & Muslim

BENEFIT
Our children’s sickness can frustrate us. We might run to doctors or reach
for medications, seeking the cure before we first submit our hearts to Allah c
as the ultimate Healer. Our efforts must be twofold: seek the means through
medicines and cures and place our hopes and reliance upon Allah c.

39
FOURTEEN
General Protection
for all Areas of Your
Life Including Your
Children.
 FOURTEEN

General Protection for all Areas of

your Life Including Your Children.
The morning and evening du’as that the Prophet Muhammad g taught us,
are like building a fortress that protects you and your family on a daily basis.
There are many important du’as that should be made every day, but this one in
particular is incredibly comprehensive.

DU’A IN ARABIC

‫الَّلُّهَّمّ ِِإِّنّ ي ََأ ْْس ََأ ُُل ََك ْاْل ََع ْْف ََو‬
ُ ‫الِخ ََر ِِة‬ ِ ‫الُّد ْْن ََيا ََو‬ ّ ‫اِف ََي ََة ِِفي‬ َ َ
ِ ‫الَّلُّهَّمّ ِِإِّنّ ي َأ ْْسَأ ُُل ََك ْاْل ََع‬
ُ
‫آِم ْْن‬ِ ‫اْس ُُت ْْر ََع ْْو ََرا ِِتي ََو‬ ُ ‫اَى ََو ََأ ْْه ِِلي ََو ََما ِِلي‬
ْ ّ‫الَّلُّهَّم‬ َ ‫يِني ََو ُُد ْْن ََي‬ ِ ‫اِف ََي ََة ِِفي ِِد‬ ِ ‫ََو ْاْل ََع‬
‫اْح ََف ْْظ ِِني ِِم ْْن ََب ْْي ِِن ََي ََدَّىّ ََو ِِم ْْن ََخ ْْل ِِفي ََو ََع ْْن ََي ِِمي ِِني ََو ََع ْْن‬ ُ ‫ََر ْْو ََعا ِِتي‬
ْ ّ‫الَّلُّهَّم‬
َ ‫وُذ ِب ََع ََظ ََم ِِت ََك ََأ ْْن ُُأ ْْغ ََت‬ َ
‫اَل ِِم ْْن ََت ْْح ِِتي‬ ِ ُ ‫ِِش ََما ِِلي ََو ِِم ْْن ََف ْْو ِِقي ََوَأ ُُع‬

TRANSLITERATION
Allāhumma innī asʾaluka al-ʿāfiyah fī al-dunyá wa-al-ākhirah allāhumma innī
asʾaluka al-ʿafwah wa-al-ʿāfiyah fī dīnī wa-dunyāya wa-ahlī wa-mālī allāhumma
ustur ʿawrātī wa-āmin rawʿātī allāhumma iḥfaẓnī min bayni yadayya wa-min khalfī
wa-ʿan yamīnī wa-ʿan shimālī wa-min fawqī wa-aʿūdhu bi-ʿaẓamatika an ughtāla
min taḥtī.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

O Allah, I ask You for well-being in this world and the Hereafter. O Allah, I ask
You for pardon and well-being in my religion, my worldly affairs, my family and my
property. O Allah, conceal my faults and keep me safe from what I fear. O Allah,
guard me from in front of me and behind me, on my right and on my left, and from
above me. And I seek refuge in Your Magnificence from being swallowed up from
beneath me.
(Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah)

41
 FOURTEEN

BENEFIT
The word “afiyah” in Arabic doesn’t really have an equivalent word in English.
‘Wellbeing’ is usually what it is translated as, but it is far deeper and richer
than that. Shaykh Ubaydullah al-Mubarakfuri (may Allah have mercy on him)
said in explaining it: ‘“O Allah, I ask You for wellbeing” means: Safety from
anything that could undermine my faith and from worldly hardships. It was
also said that what is meant is safety from sicknesses and calamities; or
not being tested by them, and being granted patience in bearing them and
acceptance of the divine decree. The word ‘afiyah (wellbeing) refers to when
Allah preserves a person and protects him from that which is disliked, and
grants him well-being and protection from troubles and calamities.’ [Mirqat
al-Mafatih Sharh Mishkat al-Masabih]

42
FIFTEEN
Ruqyah with
Al-Mu’awwidhatayn
 FIFTEEN

Ruqyah with Al-Mu’awwidhatayn

Ruqyah, is the Islamic practice of reciting Quranic verses and prophetic
supplications for healing, protection, or relief from various ailments and negative
influences such as from ayn (evil eye), sihr (black magic) and hasad (envy).

Aisha RA reported that when anyone from the Messenger of Allah’s g family was
sick, he would blow over them with the two surahs of refuge: Surah al-Falaq &
Surah an-Nas. When he was sick with his final illness, Aisha RA blew over him
and helped him to wipe over himself with his hands, as she said that she knew
his hands were more blessed than her hands [Muslim]. We too as parents can
use this powerful Ruqyah to seek cure for our children by reciting the surahs and
then blowing over our children.
DU’A IN ARABIC

‫وُذ ِِب ََر ِِّب ْٱْل ََف ََل ِِق ۝ ِِمن ََش ِِّر ََما ََخ ََل ََق‬ ُ ‫يِم ۝ ُُق ْْل ََأ ُُع‬ ْ ‫ِِب ْْس ِِم ٱل َّٰٰل� ِِه‬
ّ ‫ٱلَّرّْح َٰٰم� ِِن‬
ِ ‫ٱلَّر ِِح‬
‫َب ۝ ََو ِِمن ََش ِِّر ٱل ََّن ََّف ٰٰـ ََث ٰٰـ ِِت ِِفى ْٱْل ُُع ََق ِِد ۝ ََو ِِمن‬ َ ‫اِس ٍٍق ِِإ ََذا ََو ََق‬
ِ ‫۝ ََو ِِمن ََش ِِّر ََغ‬
‫َس ََد ۝‬ َ ‫اِس ٍٍد ِِإ ََذا ََح‬ِ ‫ََش ِِّر ََح‬

ُ ‫يِم ۝ ُُق ْْل َأ ُُع‬َ ْ ‫ِِب ْْس ِِم ٱل َّٰٰل� ِِه‬

ّ ‫ٱلَّرّْح َٰٰم� ِِن‬
ِ ‫اِس ۝ ََم ِِل ِِك ٱل ََّن‬
‫اِس ۝‬ ِ ‫وُذ ِِب ََر ِِّب ٱل ََّن‬ ِ ‫ٱلَّر ِِح‬
َ ِ ‫اِس ْٱْل ََخ ََّن‬ ِ ‫ِِإَلَ ٰٰـ ِِه ٱل ََّن‬
ِ ‫اِس ۝ ِِمن ََش ِِّر ْٱْل ََو ْْس ََو‬
ِ ‫اِس ۝ ٱَّل ِِذى ُُي ََو ْْس ِِو ُُس ِِفى ُُص ُُد‬
‫وِر‬
‫اِس ۝‬ ِ ‫اِس ۝ ِِمَنَ ْٱْل ِِج ََّن ِِة ََوٱل ََّن‬ ِ ‫ٱل ََّن‬

TRANSLITERATION
Surah Al-Falaq
Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim. Qul a’udhu bi rabbil-falaq, Min sharri ma khalaq, Wa
min sharri ghasiqin idha waqab, Wa min sharrin-naffathati fil ‘uqad, Wa min sharri
hasidin idha hasad.

Surah An-Nas
Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim. Qul a’udhu bi rabbin-nas, Malikin-nas, Ilahin-nas,
Min sharri al-waswasil-khannas, Alladhi yuwaswisu fee sudoorin-nas, Minal jinnati
wan-nas.

45
 ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Surah Al-Falaq (Chapter 113):
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Say, ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak. From the evil of that which He
created. And from the evil of darkness when it settles. And from the evil of the
blowers in knots. And from the evil of an envier when he envies.

Surah An-Nas (Chapter 114):

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Say, ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind. The Sovereign of mankind. The God
of mankind. From the evil of the whisperer who withdraws. Who whispers in the
breasts of mankind. Among jinn and among mankind.

BENEFIT
In these surahs which are also du’as we ask Allah for protection from the
dark forces that operate in our world. We seek His protection from people
who practice witchcraft or have evil intentions towards us, as well as Shaitan
himself who whispers and seeks to lead us astray. We ask Allah to protect us
from an entire realm that is unseen to us and from the evil machinations of
both the Jinn and human beings.

46
 Afterword
Have you reflected on your own life, when the prayers of your parents,
grandparents, and ancestors might have been answered by Allah, resulting in you
receiving assistance or unexpected blessings?

When I was sixteen, I embarked on my first experience living away from my

family. I was a young, naive student in Egypt, where I initially struggled, due to the
language barrier and frequently got lost. I recall facing challenging days, feeling
lonely, and being uncertain about how to handle difficult situations. However,
I would unexpectedly encounter helpful individuals who offered assistance or
friendship. I would find myself in situations I hadn’t anticipated, receiving aid from
unexpected sources. When I mentioned this to my mother, who was miles away
in London, she reminded me that she was constantly praying for me. It was then
that I realised it might not have been my own cleverness or resourcefulness that
got me through those challenging moments. Instead, it was Allah c answering
my mother’s prayers.

Dear parent, in every du’a that you whisper, every prayer that crosses your lips,
lies the potential to shape your child’s and future descendants’ destiny; make
sure you use this divine gift plentifully!

47
COPYRIGHT © FATIMA BARKATULLA 2023

EDITED BY A IMAN AT TAR