The du’a of Mu’adh ibn Jabal (radiyallahu ‘anhu) at the time of Tahajjud

Question

Please provide a reference and authenticity for this du’a:

When Sayyiduna Mu’adh ibn Jabal (radiyallahu ‘anhu) would offer the Tahajjud prayer at night, he would recite the following du’a:

“O Allah! My eyes are asleep whilst the stars are shining brightly. You are the Living, the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining. O Allah! My desire to attain paradise is lacking and I am weak and lack the strength to escape from the hellfire. O Allah! Enable me to become among the guided, and save this for it to be granted to me on the Day of Qiyamah. Surely You do not go against Your promise.”

 

Answer

Imams Tabarani and Abu Nu’aym (rahimahumallah) have recorded this du’a of Sayyiduna Mu’adh ibn Jabal (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 48, vol. 20, Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 1 pg. 233)

 

‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) has stated that the chain contains an omission.

(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10 pg. 185, Hadith: 17392)

 

However, the narration is suitable to quote as is the rule with narrations of this nature

 

Arabic text of the du’a

اللهُمَّ قَدْ نَامَتِ الْعُيُونُ، وَغَارَتِ النُّجُومُ، وَأَنْتَ حَيٌّ قَيُّومٌ، اللهُمَّ طَلَبِي لِلْجَنَّةِ بَطِيءٌ، وَهَرَبِي مِنَ النَّارِ ضَعِيفٌ،

اللهُمَّ اجْعَلْ لِي عِنْدَكَ هُدًى تَرُدُّهُ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ، إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ

Transliteration 

Allahumma qad namatil ‘uyun wa gharatin nujum wa Anta Hayyun Qayyum. Allahumma Talabi lil Jannati bati-un wa harabi minan nari da’ifun Allahummaj ‘al li ‘indaka hudan tarudduhu ilayya yawmal qiyamah innaka la tukhliful mi’ad

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar