Abud Darda’s (radiyallahu ‘anhu) du’a asking for perpetual Iman

Question

What is the reference for this du’a of Sayyiduna Abud Darda (radiyallahu ‘anhu)?

اللهم إني أسألك إيمانا دائما وعلما نافعا وهديا قيما

Answer

Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah (rahimahullah) has recorded this du’a of Sayyiduna Abud Darda (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

Mu’awiyah ibn Qurrah (rahimahullah) said: “Abud Darda (radiyallahu ‘anhu) would say:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ إِيمَانًا دَائِمًا، وَعِلْمًا نَافِعًا، وَهَدْيًا قَيِّمًا

Allahumma inni as aluka Imanan daima wa ‘ilman nafi’a wa hadyan qayyima

(O Allah! I ask You for perpetual Iman, beneficial knowledge and correct guidance)

Mu’awiyah ibn Qurrah says: “[From this du’a we realise that] Iman is not always perpetual, there is knowledge that is not beneficial and guidance that is not correct.

(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 31001. Also see: Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 6 pg. 179)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar