ادع لي
id'u li
To say "pray for me" in Arabic, you use ادع لي (id'u li).
This phrase is a request for someone to ask God to grant a person's wishes or help them. It is commonly used by Muslims when facing a difficult situation or a major life event to ask for spiritual support.
What does it mean word for word?
The part لي is a combination of the preposition ل (for) and the attached pronoun ي (me).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ادع لي is used when addressing one male person. When addressing a female, the imperative changes to ادعي لي.
How do you pronounce it?
id'u li
Did you know?
- The verb ادع comes from a root that also means 'to summon' or 'to invite guests', suggesting that praying is like inviting God into one's affairs.
- While 'pray for me' is a request, the word 'du'a' (the root of the verb used here) is often described in Islamic literature as the 'weapon of the believer'. This implies that prayer is seen as a proactive tool for change rather than just a passive wish.
- The word 'du'a' used in this phrase refers specifically to the act of supplication. This distinguishes it from 'salat', which is the formal, ritual prayer performed at specific times of the day.
Examples in context
- أنا قلق من الامتحان، ادع لي.ana qaliq min al-imtihan, id'u li.I am worried about the exam, pray for me.
- سأبدأ وظيفة جديدة غداً، ادع لي.sa-abda' wadhifa jadida ghadan, id'u li.I start a new job tomorrow, pray for me.
Example conversation
Ziad is telling Sarah about a difficult surgery he is about to undergo.
- زياد Ziadسأجري عملية جراحية غداً، ادع لي.sa-ujri 'amaliya jirahiyya ghadan, id'u li.I am having surgery tomorrow, pray for me.
- سارة Saraإن شاء الله ستكون بخير يا زياد.in sha' Allah satakunu bikhayr ya Ziad.God willing, you will be fine, Ziad.
- زياد Ziadشكراً لكِ يا سارة.shukran laki ya Sarah.Thank you, Sarah.
- سارة Saraسأدعو لك دائماً.sa-ad'u laka da'iman.I will always pray for you.
