Question

What is the authenticity of the following du‘a, which is circulated on social media? I have seen it attributed to Sayyiduna Zaynul ‘Abidin (rahimahumullah) in some places.

إلهي كيف أدعوك وأنا أنا، وكيف أقطع رجائي منك وأنت أنت، إلهي إن لم أسالك فتعطني، فمن ذا الذي أسأله فيعطني

Answer

I have not come across this in any Hadith source, neither as a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) nor as the statement of Sayyiduna Zaynul ‘Abidin (rahimahumullah).

However, the meaning of the du’a is correct, and it may be recited as a general du’a/munajat without deeming it a Sunnah du’a.

Translation:

My Rabb, how can I call upon You when I am who I am [i.e. You know my true condition], and how can I lose hope in You when You are Who You are? My Rabb, if I do not ask You and You grant me, then who else is there that I could ask who would grant me?”

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar