Dua of Desperation by Prophet Musa
رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنْزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ
Rabbi innee limaaa anzalta ilaiya min khairin faqeer
Translation
“My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need.”
Surah Al-Qasas Ayat 24
Key Takeaways
-
If you carry unresolved burdens or past mistakes, turn to Allah (swt) and reflect on what good you can create today. For Musa (as), the weight of taking a life lingered on his conscience, and he embraced the responsibility of self-redemption. He saw every opportunity to do good as a blessing from Allah to amend his wrongs. Ask yourself: How can I leave the world better than I found it? Are there opportunities to do good that you have overlooked?
-
In this du’a, Musa (as) emphasizes his state of faqeer (فَقِيرٌ)—dire need or spiritual poverty. This is a powerful lesson for strengthening our supplications: Allah (swt) responds to those who show complete submission and dependence on Him for change, just as He answered Yunus (as) in his time of utmost need.
-
Doing good does not require grand gestures or impacting millions. What matters is starting where you are, with what you have. Procrastinating until some “perfect” future moment is futile; as the proverb goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second-best time is now.” The earlier we begin, the more our good deeds can grow—yet even small acts that touch one life for the better are worthwhile. This is the beauty of Sadaqa Jariyah (ongoing charity), a gift that continues to benefit others long after we are gone.
-
Through Musa (as), we learn that the best way to overcome past mistakes is to accumulate far more good deeds. Every chance to do good is a divine blessing—seize it eagerly. Wake each day with gratitude for the privilege of serving Allah and others, and actively seek out opportunities to do good.
Context of This Du’a
Musa (as) recited this du’a after being forced to flee his city and journey into the desert toward Madyan. After a long, arduous trip, he encountered a group of male shepherds watering their flocks at a well. He noticed two women waiting at a distance with their sheep; they explained they were reluctant to mix with the men and that their elderly father was unable to tend to the flock himself, so they had taken on the duty.
Though Musa (as) was disheveled, exhausted, and likely deprived of food and water, he empathized deeply. He helped the women water their flocks, then retreated to the shade—and it was here that he recited this supplication: “My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need.” (28:24) His act of honor and kindness toward strangers in a foreign land was followed by a prayer for more opportunities to do good. Notably, he did not linger to seek recognition, but withdrew quietly after helping.
Urgency in Doing Good
A sobering reality reminds us of the urgency to act now: The average person lives approximately 900 months (75 years). Childhood occupies 216 months, leaving 684 months. When we account for time lost to sleep, work, commuting, and passive activities (which consume roughly 70%), only 205 months remain for purposeful action.
This number should inspire a sense of urgency. Procrastinating with excuses like “I’ll start when my child graduates” or “when I have more resources” is dangerous—we easily convince ourselves to delay indefinitely. Instead, we must embrace the truth of the proverb: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second-best time is now.”
Even if our efforts do not match our ambitions, we can take solace in two things: (1) We dared to try, and (2) we improved at least one person’s life. Through Musa (as), we are reminded to prioritize good deeds, seize every opportunity to serve, and wake each day grateful for the chance to honor Allah through our actions.
About the Author
