اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا، وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا، أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلَاهَا، 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 Purifier. 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 fear (You), 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'ain la yusma'.
When to Read
This dua is comprehensive and beautiful, encompassing many aspects of spiritual well-being. It is particularly relevant when you feel a pull towards negative traits like stinginess, or when you recognize the need for inner purification. Reciting it after your obligatory prayers, during the night, or at any time you are seeking Allah's help for self-improvement is highly recommended.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and focus. Raise your hands as you would during supplication. Understand the meaning of each phrase and reflect on your own state. True generosity isn't just about money; it's about giving time, knowledge, kindness, and forgiveness. Stinginess, conversely, can manifest in hoarding wealth, knowledge, or even positive emotions. This dua asks Allah to cure the root causes of such maladies by granting us piety, satisfaction, and a heart that fears Him.
Virtues & Benefits
This powerful dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, offers multifaceted benefits: 1. **Spiritual Purification:** It asks Allah to imbue our souls with taqwa (God-consciousness) and purify us, which is the foundation of all good character, including generosity. 2. **Protection from Harmful Traits:** It seeks refuge from knowledge that doesn't lead to righteous action, a heart that lacks awe of Allah, a soul that is never content (a root of greed), and unanswered prayers. 3. **Holistic Well-being:** By seeking these protections, the dua helps foster inner peace, contentment, and a desire to please Allah, all of which naturally lead to generosity and a disdain for stinginess.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Zayd ibn Arqam that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught his companions a supplication to say: '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'ain la yusma'. (O Allah, grant my soul its piety and purify it, for You are the Best Purifier. 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 fear (You), from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that is not answered.)' Zayd ibn Arqam said: 'We used to teach this to our children.'