Allāhumma innī asʾaluka l-hudā — Dua for Guidance, Piety, Chastity, and Contentment

Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) relates: "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray: 'Allāhumma innī asʾaluka l-hudā wa-t-tuqā wa-l-ʿafāfa wa-l-ghinā'" (Sahih Muslim, Dhikr 72). This dua contains four fundamental values: guidance, piety, chastity, and contentment of heart.

Guidance (hudā): It is to find the right path and not to stray from it. In al-Fatihah we say "Ihdinā ṣ-ṣirāṭa l-mustaqīm" (Guide us to the straight path). If even the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who was sent as a guide, asks for guidance, then the servants must ask for it all the more.

Taqwa (piety): It is to obey Allah's commands out of fear of Him and to keep away from what He has forbidden. Taqwa is the outward expression of guidance. Whoever has guidance becomes mindful of Allah.

Afaf (chastity): It is to keep away from what is not permitted. It is not to look at the forbidden, not to reach out to the forbidden, and to avoid every kind of zina (unlawful sexual relations). Chastity is the sign of taqwa.

Ghina (contentment of heart): It is to have no need of people or of what is in their hands. True wealth is not in an abundance of possessions but in the richness of the heart (Sahih al-Bukhari, Riqaq 15). Whoever has little in his hand but contentment in his heart is rich.

These four values complete one another: guidance shows the way, taqwa keeps one walking, chastity protects, and contentment of heart satisfies. Reciting this dua constantly is the finest way to gain these four values.