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 taqwa (consciousness of You), and purify it, for You are the Best Purifier. You are its Guardian and 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 heard.
Allahumma ati nafsi taqwaha, wa zakkaha anta khayru man zakkaha, anta waliyyuha wa mawlaha. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yakhsha', wa min nafsil la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yusma'.
When to Read
This dua is profoundly beneficial when recited regularly, especially after prayers, or at the start of your day. It’s particularly poignant when you feel a stir of pride in your accomplishments, knowledge, or even your piety. Recognizing that any good comes from Allah is the first step in guarding against vanity.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and humility, understanding the deep plea for divine assistance. Focus on each phrase, internalizing the request for purification of the self and protection from detrimental states. Reflect on how Allah is the ultimate source of all good, and our efforts are only possible through His grace.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua seeks protection from several spiritual ailments. Specifically concerning self-admiration and vanity, it asks Allah to purify the soul, acknowledging that true purification and guidance come only from Him. It guards against the trap of accumulating knowledge without applying it for Allah’s sake, or developing a heart that is heedless of its Creator. A soul that is never satisfied can lead to endless striving for worldly validation, fueled by ego. Finally, seeking refuge from unanswered prayers highlights a desire for Allah's acceptance, which is undermined by arrogance.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Zayd ibn Arqam that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'O Allah, grant my soul its taqwa (consciousness of You), and purify it, for You are the Best Purifier. You are its Guardian and 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 heard.' (Sahih Muslim 5304)