Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 332

Abomination of saying: "Forgive me if you wish, O Allah!"

باب كراهة قول الإنسان: «اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي إنْ شِئْتَ»، بل يجزم بالطلب

This chapter is about how we ask of Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) corrected the habit of softening a supplication with 'if You wish,' as though Allah might find a request too much or need to be coaxed. We are taught instead to ask with certitude (yaqin), confident and resolute, because nothing we could ever ask is large in the sight of the One who gives.

Notice the reasoning the Prophet (peace be upon him) gives across both narrations: no one can compel Allah, so the conditional phrasing serves no purpose and only betrays a weak heart. The Buruja takeaway is to bring boldness and full trust into du'a, expressing our need plainly and persistently rather than hedging it.

Hadith 1743

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏لا يقولن أحدكم‏:‏ اللهم اغفر لي إن شئت‏:‏ اللهم ارحمني إن شئت، ليعزم المسألة، فإنه لا مكره له‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏وفي رواية لمسلم‏:‏ ‏"‏ولكن ليعزم، وليعظم الرغبة، فإن الله تعالى، لا يتعاظمه شيء أعطاه‏"‏‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "You must not supplicate: 'O Allah! forgive me if You wish; O Allah bestow mercy on me if You wish.' But beg from Allah with certitude for no one has the power to compel Allah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Another narration of Muslim is: "A supplication should be made in full confidence and one should persistently express his desire (before Allah) in his supplication, for no bounty is too great for Allah to bestow (upon his slaves)."

In plain words

Do not soften a prayer with 'if You wish,' as if Allah might find a request too great. Ask Him with certainty, for no one can compel Allah and nothing is too much for Him to give.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1743 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 233

Hadith 1744

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏ "‏إذا دعا أحدكم، فليعزم المسألة، ولا يقولن‏:‏ اللهم إن شئت، فأعطني، فإنه لا مستكره له‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When one of you supplicates, let him be decisive and he should not say: 'O Allah, bestow upon me such and such if You wish', because no one has the power to compel Him." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

When you supplicate, be decisive and do not add 'if You wish,' since no one can compel Allah. Bring confidence and full trust into your du'a.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1744 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 234