اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي لأَحْسَنِ الأَخْلاَقِ لا يَهْدِي لأَحْسَنِهَا إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، وَاصْرِفْ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا لا يَصْرِفُ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا إِلاَّ أَنْتَ
O Allah, guide me to the best of manners, for none can guide to the best of them except You, and turn me away from bad manners, for none can turn away from bad manners except You.
Allahumma ihdini li ahsanil akhlaq, la yahdi li ahsaniha illa Anta, wasrif anni sayyi'aha, la yasrifu anni sayyi'aha illa Anta.
When to Read
This is a foundational dua we can make for our children, especially when they are young and developing their character. It's perfect to recite after *fajr* or any *salah*, or even during moments when you're gently guiding them away from extremes in their behaviour or opinions. You can whisper it to them as they sleep, or say it during *du'a* time with them.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely, focusing on the meaning and the plea to Allah. Raise your hands as you would during any personal supplication. It's beautiful to teach this to your children as well, so they can start making it for themselves as they grow older.
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was sent to perfect good character. This dua directly asks Allah for the 'best of manners' which encompasses all aspects of moderation – in speech, action, temperament, and even thought. By praying for this, we are asking for our children to be guided to a balanced, just, and pleasing way of life, avoiding the pitfalls of extremism or negligence in all their affairs. Allah's guidance is the ultimate key to developing a sound and upright character, as mentioned in the Quran: "And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while he is a doer of good, and follows the religion of Abraham, inclined to truth? And Allah took Abraham as an intimate friend." (An-Nisa 4:125) - this submission and goodness inherently requires balance.
Source & Authentication
‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: I did not find in the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) a sign of immoderate haste, nor of excessive sitting, nor of anger, nor of anything else in his behaviour. She further said: I was once with him in a tent. He said: "O ‘A’ishah, do you have any food?" I said: "No." He said: "Then I am fasting." And I said: "O Messenger of Allah, today is the day of 'Ashura, and it was ordained to fast on it." He said: "It was ordained to fast on it in Ramadan, but it was relinquished." And he said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'O Allah, guide me to the best of manners, for none can guide to the best of them except You, and turn me away from bad manners, for none can turn away from bad manners except You.'"