اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلَاهَا
O Allah, grant my soul its taqwa (piety/God-consciousness) and purify it, for You are the Best Purifier. You are its Guardian and its Master.
Allahumma ati nafsi taqwaha, wa zakkiha anta khayru man zakkaha, anta waliyyuha wa mawlaha
When to Read
This is a profound supplication that can be made at any time, but it's particularly beneficial to recite after your obligatory prayers or during the times when supplications are readily answered, like the last third of the night or between the Adhan and Iqamah. When you feel a lapse in your hayaa or notice yourself inclining towards less righteous actions, turn to this dua.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a humble heart. Picture your soul being entrusted to Allah's care for purification and guidance. Understand that true modesty and righteousness stem from an inner conviction that Allah is watching, and He is the one who grants these qualities. Make it a habit, and feel the difference it makes in your character.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua directly asks Allah to bestow the essential qualities of piety (taqwa) and inner purity (zakka). Taqwa is the cornerstone of faith, guarding one against sin and prompting good deeds. Zakka, in this context, means inner purification, ridding the heart of negative traits like arrogance, envy, and vanity, and cultivating positive ones like humility and sincerity. By asking Allah to be the Purifier and Master of our souls, we acknowledge our utter dependence on Him for developing true hayaa and righteous conduct.
Source & Authentication
A woman asked the Prophet ﷺ: 'O Messenger of Allah, teach me some words to say.' He said: 'Say: O Allah, grant my soul its taqwa and purify it, for You are the Best Purifier. You are its Guardian and its Master. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from an evil heart, and from an insatiable desire, and from a prayer that is not answered.' The woman said: 'O Messenger of Allah, teach me the words of Allah's Messenger (i.e. the words of the previous Hadith)?' He said: 'Say: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from an evil heart, and from an insatiable desire, and from a prayer that is not answered. And I seek refuge in You from this world and the next.' The woman said: 'O Messenger of Allah, teach me the words of Allah's Messenger (i.e. the words of the previous Hadith)?' He said: 'Say: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I do, and from the evil of what I do not do.' (Sahih Muslim 2717)