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