Hadith #175
Arabic Text
حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ عَنِ الْأَعْرَجِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ يَبْلُغُ بِهِ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا دَعَا أَحَدُكُمْ فَلَا يَقُلْ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي إِنْ شِئْتَ وَلَكِنْ لِيَعْزِمْ بِالْمَسْأَلَةِ فَإِنَّهُ لَا مُكْرِهَ لَهُ
English Translation
It was narrated from Abu Hurayra (رضي الله عنه) — via Sufyan, from Abu al-Zinad, from al-A'raj — traced to the Prophet ﷺ: 'When one of you makes du'a, let him not say: "O Allah, forgive me if You wish." Rather, let him ask with firm resolve — for there is nothing that can compel Him [la mukraha lahu — no one can force Allah's hand].'
Quran References
Reference: Musnad Ahmad, Book 17, Hadith 175
Sunnah.com ref: Musnad Ahmad 7013
Islam.wiki ID: IWH-43403