اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا، وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا، أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوَلاَهَا، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لَا تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لَا يُسْمَعُ
O Allah, grant my soul its piety, and purify it, for You are the best to purify it. You are its Guardian and its Master. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not humble itself, from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that is not answered.
Allahumma ati nafsi taqwaha, wa zakkiha anta khayru man zakkaha, anta waliyyuha wa mawlaha. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yakhsha', wa min nafsin la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yusma'
When to Read
This comprehensive dua is excellent for reciting daily, perhaps after your obligatory prayers or at the beginning of your day. Its focus on seeking Allah's help for inner purification and guarding against detrimental states makes it relevant for any time you feel the need to reconnect with your core intentions and spiritual well-being.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and concentration, visualizing your heart and intentions being brought closer to Allah's pleasure. Understand that asking Allah for these qualities is a direct request for His assistance in cultivating them within yourself. It's a powerful supplication that acknowledges our own limitations and dependence on the Creator.
Virtues & Benefits
This supplication is incredibly encompassing for spiritual growth. It asks Allah to instill Taqwa (consciousness of Him) in our souls, which is the foundation of all good. It seeks purification (Zakah), acknowledging that only Allah can truly purify us. Furthermore, it guards us against four major spiritual ailments: useless knowledge (that doesn't lead to action or awe of Allah), a heart devoid of Khushu' (humility and awe), an insatiable soul (leading to greed and restlessness), and unanswered supplications (which could stem from a lack of sincerity or heedlessness).
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Zayd ibn Arqam that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to supplicate: 'Allahumma ati nafsi taqwaha, wa zakkiha anta khayru man zakkaha, anta waliyyuha wa mawlaha. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yakhsha', wa min nafsin la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yusma'. Translation: O Allah, grant my soul its piety, and purify it, for You are the best to purify it. You are its Guardian and its Master. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not humble itself, from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that is not answered.'