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 the evil of manners, for none can turn away from the evil of them except You.
Allahumma ihdini li ahsanil akhlaqi la yahdi li ahsaniha illa Anta, wasrif 'anni sayyi'aha la yasrifu 'anni sayyi'aha illa Anta.
When to Read
This is a profound dua that can be recited at any time, but it's particularly beneficial to make it a regular part of your supplications after the obligatory prayers. You can also recite it when you find yourself struggling with a particular character trait or when you're consciously striving to improve your interactions with others. Making it a habit during the night or the latter part of the night is also a blessed time for dua.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a heartfelt desire for improvement. Remember that Allah (SWT) is the ultimate source of all guidance and good character. Raise your hands as you would during any supplication, face the Qiblah if possible, and supplicate with conviction. Visualize yourself embodying the noble qualities you are asking for. Reflect on the meaning of each word as you say it.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua directly asks Allah (SWT) for the ability to adopt the highest standards of character, which is a cornerstone of our faith. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was sent to perfect good manners (Sahih al-Bukhari 5627, Sahih al-Musnad). By seeking guidance for this, you are aligning yourself with the mission of the Prophet ﷺ and striving for a quality that is beloved to Allah. It acknowledges our complete dependence on Allah for spiritual and moral development, understanding that true change comes only from Him. It's a powerful way to seek protection from bad habits and negative traits that can harm ourselves and our relationships.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Ali that 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 the evil of manners, for none can turn away from the evil of them except You.'