Riyad as-Salihin
Riyad as-Salihin 1480
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to supplicate: "Allahumma laka aslamtu, wa bika amantu, wa 'alaika tawakkaltu, wa ilaika anabtu, wa bika khasamtu, wa ilaika hakamtu. Faghfir li ma qaddamtu, wa ma akh-khartu, wa ma asrartu wa ma a'lantu, Antal-Muqaddimu, wa Antal-Mu'akhkhiru, la ilaha illa Anta (O Allah! to You I submit, in You I affirm my faith, in You I repose my trust, to You I turn in repentance and with Your Help I contend my adversaries and from You I seek judgement. O Allah! Grant me forgiveness for the faults which I made in past and those ones I may commit in the future, those which I committed secretly or openly. You Alone send whomever You will to Jannah, and You Alone send whomever You will to Hell-fire. There is none worthy of worship except You)." Another narration adds: "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (There is no strength to resist evil and no power to do good except through Allah)."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Overview & Central Theme
This comprehensive supplication, recorded in Riyad as-Salihin (1480) from the chapter on Du'a, encapsulates the essence of Islamic monotheism (Tawhid) and total reliance upon Allah. The Prophet (ﷺ) weaves together the core tenets of faith—submission (Islam), belief (Iman), trust (Tawakkul), repentance (Inabah), and seeking divine judgment—into a single, profound prayer. It serves as a spiritual blueprint for the believer, acknowledging Allah's absolute sovereignty over time, destiny, and the final outcome of all affairs, while humbly seeking forgiveness for all sins, whether past, future, hidden, or open. The hadith beautifully demonstrates the integration of theological conviction with practical supplication, making it a daily reminder of the believer's complete dependence on Allah.
Context & Linguistic Insights
The Prophet (ﷺ) frequently recited this du'a, particularly after the prescribed prayers, as reported by Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him). The phrase "wa bika khasamtu" (with Your Help I contend) refers to arguing against adversaries or one's own lower self using the proofs and strength granted by Allah. "Wa ilaika hakamtu" (from You I seek judgement) signifies submitting all disputes to Allah's divine decree. The term "Al-Muqaddim" (The Advancer) and "Al-Mu'akhkhir" (The Deferrer) are among Allah's beautiful names, affirming that He alone determines who is advanced in rank or deferred, whether in worldly matters or in the Hereafter. The addition "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" (There is no strength to resist evil and no power to do good except through Allah) is a profound acknowledgment of human limitation and total dependence on divine assistance, as noted by Imam An-Nawawi in his commentary on Sahih Muslim.
Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits
Daily Life & Spiritual Application
In daily life, this du'a serves as a comprehensive morning and evening litany, grounding the believer in absolute reliance on Allah before facing the world's challenges. When confronted with disputes or difficult decisions, reciting "wa ilaika hakamtu" reminds us to seek Allah's guidance through the Qur'an and Sunnah rather than relying solely on personal opinion. The phrase "wa bika khasamtu" empowers us to argue against falsehood with divine wisdom, not arrogance. Practically, one can recite this after every obligatory prayer, as the Prophet (ﷺ) did, making it a shield against anxiety and a source of spiritual strength. It also teaches us to pair repentance with proactive good deeds, understanding that while we seek forgiveness for the past, we must strive to advance in righteousness for the future, trusting that Allah alone controls our ultimate success in this life and the Hereafter.