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 دَعْوَةٍ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهَا
O Allah, grant my soul its piety and purify it, for You are the best of those who 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 feel humble, 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 da'watin la yustajabu laha.
When to Read
Recite this dua regularly, especially when you feel your heart inclining towards speaking ill of others, or when you are in the company of people who engage in gossip. It's a powerful prayer to ask Allah to safeguard your tongue and your intentions.
How to Read
Make this dua with sincerity, raising your hands as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us for supplication. Focus on each phrase, understanding that you are asking Allah, the Controller of all matters, to grant you inner strength and protection. Repeat it often, making it a habit, so that it becomes a natural part of your spiritual armour.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua tackles the root of many sins, including gossip and backbiting, by asking Allah for Taqwa (God-consciousness) and purification of the soul. It seeks protection from useless knowledge which can lead to arrogance and judgment, a heart devoid of Allah's remembrance, a soul perpetually desiring more (which can fuel jealousy and envy), and unanswered prayers. By seeking refuge from these, we indirectly shield ourselves from actions like gossip that stem from such spiritual deficiencies.
Source & Authentication
The narrator, Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him), reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to supplicate in these words: 'O Allah, grant my soul its piety and purify it, for You are the best of those who 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 feel humble, from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that is not answered.' (Sahih Muslim 1576).