Every person wants to spend their day and night with ease, comfort, and prosperity. They strive to achieve success in their endeavours and find peace in their daily lives. To attain this, it is essential to seek Allah Ta‘ala’s blessings, guidance, and protection. In this regard, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has taught us a beautiful du‘aa to be supplicated every morning and evening,
Morning:
أَصْبَحْنَا وَأَصْبَحَ الْمُلْكُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ، اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ هٰذَا الْيَوْمِ ، فَتْحَهُ وَنَصْرَهُ وَنُوْرَهُ وَبَرَكَتَهُ وَهُدَاهُ ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا فِيْهِ وَشَرِّ مَا بَعْدَهُ
Evening:
أَمْسَيْنَا وَأَمْسَى الْمُلْكُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ، اللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ هٰذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ ، فَتْحَهَا وَنَصْرَهَا وَنُوْرَهَا وَبَرَكَتَهَا وَهُدَاهَا ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا فِيْهَا وَشَرِّ مَا بَعْدَهَا
We and the entire world have entered the morning/evening whilst belonging to Allah Ta‘ala, The Rabb of the worlds. O Allah, I ask you for the goodness of this day/night; its victory, assistance, light, blessings and guidance. I seek Your protection from the evil it contains and from the evil of what follows it. (Sunan Abi Dawood #5084)
In the beginning of this du‘aa, a person is acknowledging that everything belongs to Allah Ta‘ala Alone. Therefore, from the very beginning of his day and night, he is reminding himself that Allah Ta‘ala Alone is in control of all his affairs, and the affairs of the entire creation.
Thereafter, a person is seeking the “khair” that are contained within this day/night. “Khair” is a very broad term; it encompasses every type of goodness.
A person then expounds on these types and specifically mentions some of them. The first being “fath”, which literally means victory. In this context it would mean to achieve whatever a person needs to achieve within that day/night.
The second aspect of “khair” that a person asks for is “nasr”, which is the assistance of Allah Ta‘ala. Throughout the day, a person is totally dependant on the help and assistance of Allah Ta‘ala in every aspect of Deen and dunya.
The third aspect of “khair” being sought for is for the “noor” of the upcoming day/night. When a person is in darkness, he will not know where he is going or what he is doing. Moreover, he will be unable to make a correct decision because he cannot see. In a similar manner, if a person is devoid of the internal noor, he will be spiritually lost and he will not be able to make the correct decision regarding what will benefit him in the Hereafter. Therefore, a person is asking for internal noor, i.e. the noor of the heart by means of which he will not get involved in such things that will harm him in Deen or dunya.
The fourth aspect is “barakah” (blessings). Often, we aspire for “kathrah” (abundance) but do not seek barakah. If a person gets an abundance of something but there is no barakah in it, then the more he acquires of it, the more it will become a burden for him. But if it is coupled with barakah, the more he gains, it will bring about more goodness for him. In fact, even if it is a little but it is coupled with barakah, it will be of far more benefit to him than an abundance without barakah; all his needs will be fulfilled and it will be a means of ease and peace of mind for the person.
The last aspect of “khair” which a person is seeking in this du‘aa is “hudaa” (guidance), which is an integral part of every aspect in life. In essence, it refers to a person being guided and inspired to make the correct decisions in every aspect of his worldly, as well as Deeni life. Therefore, we repeatedly beg for it daily in our salaah whilst reciting Surah Faatihah.
After asking for the abovementioned aspects of khair, a person seeks protection from the evil which is contained in the approaching day/night and from the evil of the future days/nights as well.