Ibn Kathir 2:213 Dua See The Attachment
This particular dua — “ O Allah, show us the truth as truth and grant us the ability to follow it, and show us falsehood as false and grant us the ability to avoid it …” — is widely quoted by scholars, but its exact chain of transmission is not firmly established . Several major scholars, such as Ibn Kathir and Ibn Taymiyyah, mention it in their works, though they cite it as a mathur ( transmitted ) supplication without providing a confirmed isnad. Hadith specialists like al‑Iraqi and Ibn al‑Subki explicitly stated that they could not find a reliable chain for some versions of it. The earliest known source that includes it is Ibn Shahin (d. 385 AH), who listed it among the supplications of earlier generations, though again without a full chain . Despite this, scholars continued to quote the dua because of its sound and powerful meaning. It expresses a core need of every believer: to clearly distinguish truth from falsehood, to adhere to what is right, and to avoid what is wrong. Ibn Shahin even used the dua to highlight that salvation belongs to those who can recognize righteousness from corruption when people differ. Ibn Taymiyyah also recommended this supplication in his advice to rulers, emphasizing that seeking clarity, removing doubts, and following divine guidance is more valuable than worldly power. So while the dua does not have a firmly authenticated chain , its meaning is correct , its wording is sound , and it has been used by many scholars due to the profound guidance it contains. It is therefore permissible and beneficial to recite it.