Let us talk about something that every heart silently yearns for but rarely knows how to ask for.
Love.
Not the fleeting kind. Not the love that comes and goes with people, with moods, with circumstances. But a permanent love. A love that fills the empty spaces inside you. A love that makes everything else in this world feel small by comparison.
We all want to be loved. We all want to feel connected. But the deepest, most fulfilling love is not the love of another human being. It is the love of Allah. And the second most beautiful love is the love of those who love Allah.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us a dua that asks for exactly this. It is a supplication so profound, so comprehensive, that it covers the love of Allah, the love of His righteous servants, and the deeds that lead to that love.
It is the dua of Prophet Dawud (alayhis salam). And it is recorded in the books of hadith for us to learn, memorize, and recite.
What Is the Allahumma Inni As’aluka Hubbaka Dua?
This is a supplication narrated from Prophet Dawud (alayhis salam). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mentioned it when speaking about the worship of Dawud, describing him as the most devout of all people.
Abu Darda (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
Dawud would make the following dua: Allāhumma innī as’aluka ḥubbaka wa ḥubba man yuḥibbuka wal-`amalalladhī yuballighunī ḥubbak. Allāhummaj`al ḥubbaka aḥabba ilaiyya min nafsī, wa ahlī wa minal-mā’il-bārid. He said: “And when the Prophet (ﷺ) would mention Dawud, he would narrate about him, saying: “He was the best in worship out of all men.”
The hadith is recorded in Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 3490. Imam Tirmidhi classified it as hasan (sound). The scholars of hadith have accepted it as an authentic narration worthy of being acted upon.
The Arabic Text and Transliteration
For those who wish to memorize it in the original Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ وَالْعَمَلَ الَّذِي يُبَلِّغُنِي حُبَّكَ اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ حُبَّكَ أَحَبَّ إِلَىَّ مِنْ نَفْسِي وَأَهْلِي وَمِنَ الْمَاءِ الْبَارِدِ
English Transliteration:
Allahumma inni as’aluka hubbaka, wa hubba man yuhibbuka, wal-‘amalal-ladhi yuballighuni hubbak. Allahummaj’al hubbaka ahabba ilayya min nafsi, wa ahli, wa minal-ma’il-barid.
English translation of Allahumma Inni As’aluka Hubbaka Wa Hubba Man Yuhibbuka Dua
O Allah, indeed, I ask You for Your love and the love of those who love You, and for the action that will cause me to attain Your love, O Allah, make Your love more beloved to me than myself, my family and cold water.
The dua begins with a request and ends with a declaration. It is both a supplication and a statement of priority. You are not just asking Allah for something. You are telling Him what matters most to you.
The Virtues of Reciting This Dua
The scholars have highlighted several benefits of making Allahumma inni as’aluka hubbaka wa hubba man yuhibbuka a regular part of your life.
First, it prioritizes the love of Allah above everything else. When you recite these words with sincerity, you are training your heart to place Allah first. Your nafs may pull you towards worldly desires, but this dua pulls you back.
Second, it connects you with the righteous. By asking for the love of those who love Allah, you attract good company into your life. You begin to gravitate towards people who remind you of Allah, not people who distract you from Him.
Third, it guides your actions. When you ask Allah for the deeds that lead to His love, He shows you what to do. You start to see opportunities for worship, for kindness, charity, patience. Your life becomes a series of steps drawing you closer to Him.
Fourth, it transforms your relationship with dunya. When the love of Allah is greater than the love of yourself and your family, you do not become neglectful of your responsibilities. Instead, you fulfill them for the sake of Allah. Your love for your family becomes a form of worship, because you love them for His sake.
How to Incorporate This Dua Into Your Daily Life
The best way to benefit from the Allahumma inni as’aluka hubbaka wa hubba man yuhibbuka dua is to recite it with the presence of heart.
Recite it after your obligatory prayers. Recite it in the last third of the night, when Allah descends and asks who is calling upon Him. Recite it before you sleep.
Related: Dua For Sleeping in English – 6 Handpicked Authentic Duas Before Sleeping
Teach it to your children. Let them grow up asking Allah for His love before they even know the weight of the world. Let this dua become their foundation.
And as you recite it, mean every word. When you say “more than myself,” pause and reflect. Do you actually want that? When you say “more than my family,” do you feel the weight of what you are asking?
This dua is not a checklist. It is a conversation. It is the cry of a heart that wants to be closer to its Creator.
A Final Word
Every heart is looking for love. But the only love that truly satisfies is the love of Allah. And the only way to find it is to ask for it.
This dua, taught to us through the Prophet ﷺ and the example of Prophet Dawud (alayhis salam), is a direct request for that love. It is short, easy to memorize, and deeply powerful.
So make it a habit. Recite it every day. Let it shape your priorities, your desires, and your actions. And trust that Allah, the One who places love in hearts, will answer your call.
May Allah (SWT) fill our hearts with His love, connect us with those who love Him, guide us to the deeds that bring us closer to Him, and make His love more precious to us than ourselves, our families, and everything in this world. Aameen, Ya Rabbal Alameen.
Whatever good is in this article is from Allah alone. Any mistakes are from me and Shaitan. Allah and His Messenger are free from it. Allahu A’lam.
You might also like reading: What the Qur’an Says About Love (Tawakkul, Peace, and Everyday Life)
