اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنَا لِأَحْسَنِ الْأَخْلَاقِ لَا يَهْدِي لِأَحْسَنِهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ وَاصْرِفْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَهَا لَا يَصْرِفُ عَنْ سَيِّئِهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ
O Allah, guide us to the best of manners, for none can guide to the best of them except You. And turn us away from bad manners, for none can turn away from bad ones except You.
Allahumma ihdina li-ahsanil-akhlaqi la yahdi li-ahsaniha illa anta, wasrif 'anna sayyi'aha la yasrifu 'an sayyi'iha illa anta.
When to Read
This dua is incredibly fitting to recite at any time, but especially when you feel a disconnect from the Prophet's ﷺ way, or when you're seeking to refine your character and actions. Make it a regular part of your morning or evening supplications, or recite it before embarking on tasks where you want to ensure you're acting according to the Sunnah.
How to Read
Recite this with sincere intention and a humble heart. Focus on the meaning of each word, visualizing Allah's power to guide you. Raise your hands as you make this dua, as was the practice of the Prophet ﷺ in seeking Allah's help. It's a plea for internal transformation, asking the Giver of all good to bestow upon us the best character and protect us from its opposite.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua directly asks Allah for guidance to the most noble character and conduct, which is the essence of embodying the Sunnah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself was described as having the best of manners (Al-Qalam 68:4), and his Sunnah is the living embodiment of Islamic ethics and practice. By asking for this, we are essentially asking for the ability to understand and implement the Sunnah in our daily lives, leading to a more fulfilling and pleasing existence to our Creator. It's a profound supplication for spiritual and practical alignment.
Source & Authentication
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: I did not see the Messenger of Allah ﷺ praying the supererogatory prayers of Ramadan or of other than Ramadan for thirteen months, and he would fast for days together and break his fast for days together, and he would pray two rak'ahs in the forenoon for thirteen months and not omit them. He would observe voluntary fasting on Thursdays and Mondays and the three days of the month (i.e. the 13th, 14th and 15th) and would say: 'These are the voluntary fasts, and upon these have the previous generations observed voluntary fasting.' He would also observe voluntary fasting on the first day of Shawwal and the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah. He said: 'O Allah, guide us to the best of manners, for none can guide to the best of them except You. And turn us away from bad manners, for none can turn away from bad ones except You.' He used to fast on the Day of Ashura and he commanded the Muslims to fast on it. He also observed voluntary fasting on the ninth and tenth of the month (of Dhu al-Hijjah) and commanded to do so.