Every Muslim asks for guidance seventeen times a day in the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah — 'ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim'. But the Prophet ﷺ also taught a separate, focused dua for guidance, given personally to Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA). It pairs two requests: the right path, and the steadiness to walk it.
The dua for guidance
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي وَسَدِّدْنِي
Allahumma-hdini wa saddidni.
O Allah, guide me and grant me uprightness.
(Sahih Muslim 2725 — narrated by Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA))
The story behind the dua
Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) reported: 'The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me: Say — O Allah, guide me and grant me uprightness — and remember by guidance the guiding of the road, and by uprightness the straightening of the arrow.' Two profound similes: guidance is following the right path through the wilderness, and uprightness is the arrow's straightness in flight. The dua asks for both at once.
A longer related dua
The Prophet ﷺ taught a fuller version too: 'Allahumma inni as'alukal-huda wat-tuqa wal-'afafa wal-ghina' — 'O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity and self-sufficiency' (Sahih Muslim 2721). Combine the two for a complete request: guidance and steadiness, piety and contentment.
When to recite this dua
- Morning and evening as part of your daily adhkar.
- Before any major decision, alongside Salat al-Istikhara.
- When you feel spiritually wavering — losing motivation for prayer, fasting or Quran.
- In the prostration of the night prayer (tahajjud) — when Allah is closest to His servant.
- For your children, when you fear for their faith in difficult times.
Hadith reference
The dua is in Sahih Muslim (2725) on the authority of Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA). The longer version is also in Sahih Muslim (2721) on the authority of Ibn Mas'ud (RA). Both are universally accepted and taught in every classical book of authentic supplications.