Is it permissible to ask Allaah for a specific amount of money?

Praise be to Allah.

It is permissible for a person to ask his Lord for a worldly need, such as money or a wife and the like, as al-Tirmidhi (3973) narrated from Thaabit that Anas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Let one of you ask his Lord for what he needs, even asking Him for the lace of his shoe if it breaks.” Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh. 

It is better for this request to be accompanied by a request for benefit, blessing and help to obey Allaah, such as saying: O Allaah, bless me with good or halaal wealth, and bless it for me, and make it a help to me in obeying You and attaining Your pleasure. Or he may say: O Allaah, make me independent of means with that which You have permitted so that I have no need of that which You have forbidden. Or: Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter. For money may be a fitnah (temptation) and a trial, and may lead to doom.

 Among the du’aa’s of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is that which was narrated by Ibn Maajah (925) from Umm Salamah, that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say when he said salaam at the end of Fajr prayer: “O Allaah, grant me beneficial knowledge, goodly provision and accepted deeds.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah. 

Al-Tirmidhi (3500) narrated from Abu Hurayrah that a man said: O Messenger of Allaah, I heard your du’aa’ last night and what reached me of it was that you said: O Allaah, forgive me my sins, make my house spacious and bless me in what you provide for me. He said: “Do you think that there is anything left out?” Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ no. 1265. 

And Allaah knows best.