اَللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِيْ خَيْرًا مِّمَّا يَظُنُّوْنَ، وَاغْفِرْ لِيْ مَا لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ، وَلَا تُؤَاخِذْنِيْ بِمَا يَقُوْلُوْنَ
O Allah, make me better than they think, and forgive me for what they do not know, and do not hold me accountable for what they say.
Allahumma ij'alni khayran mimma yadhunoon, waghfir li ma la ya'lamoon, wa la tu'akhidhni bima yaquloon
When to Read
This powerful dua is perfect to recite when you feel a sense of pride creeping in, or when you are in a position of serving or helping others. It’s particularly fitting after completing an act of service, or when receiving praise that might inflate one's ego. Reciting it consistently can help you maintain a humble heart, recognizing that your true worth is known only to Allah.
How to Read
Make this dua with sincerity and a heartfelt recognition of your dependence on Allah. Understand that true goodness comes from Him, and any good that appears in you is a blessing. Visualize Allah's awareness of your inner state, even when others only see the outward actions. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this dua, so reciting it with the intention of following his Sunnah adds further weight to its practice. It's a personal supplication, so feel free to raise your hands or say it quietly during your daily prayers or at any opportune moment.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is a profound safeguard against arrogance and self-admiration. It helps one to: - **Maintain Sincerity:** By asking Allah to make you better than people perceive, you’re essentially asking Him to align your inner reality with your outer actions and to purify your intentions. - **Seek Forgiveness for Hidden Flaws:** We often don't see our own shortcomings. This part of the dua acknowledges that Allah knows our hidden faults, and we seek His mercy for them. - **Guard Against Gossip and Misjudgment:** The final part seeks protection from being held accountable for the misinterpretations or negative opinions of others. It frees you from the burden of seeking validation from people. - **Cultivate Humility in Service:** Ultimately, this dua trains the heart to be humble, recognizing that service is an act of worship and a means to please Allah, not to gain recognition from creation. As Allah says about true believers: 'And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], "We feed you only for the sake of Allah. We do not want from you [any] reward or [any] thanks."' (Al-Insan 76:8-9)
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to recite: > **Arabic:** اَللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِيْ خَيْرًا مِّمَّا يَظُنُّوْنَ، وَاغْفِرْ لِيْ مَا لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ، وَلَا تُؤَاخِذْنِيْ بِمَا يَقُوْلُوْنَ > **Translation:** 'O Allah, make me better than they think, and forgive me for what they do not know, and do not hold me accountable for what they say.' > — Sahih al-Bukhari 6409