رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي لِأَحْسَنِ الْأَخْلَاقِ لَا يَهْدِي لِأَحْسَنِهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ، وَاصْرِفْ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا لَا يَصْرِفُ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ.
My Lord, grant me from among the righteous. O Allah, guide me to the best of characters, for none can guide to the best of them except You, and turn me away from bad characters, for none can turn away bad characters from me except You.
Rabbī hab lī minaṣ-ṣāliḥīn. Allāhummahdinī li-aḥsanil-akhlāq, lā yahdī li-aḥsaniha illā ant, waṣrif 'annī sayyi'ahā, lā yaṣrifu 'annī sayyi'ahā illā ant.
When to Read
This dua is excellent to recite at any time, especially when you feel pride creeping into your heart or when you are interacting with others. It's particularly potent after *Fajr* prayer, as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ often recited duas in the morning. You can also make it a regular part of your supplications after *Salah* or when you are reflecting on your actions and seeking to improve your character.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a focused heart. Imagine the best of characters – humility, kindness, compassion – and ask Allah to bestow them upon you. Visualize yourself serving others with a pure intention, free from any desire for praise or recognition. Repeat it with conviction, believing that Allah is the only one who can truly change your heart and guide your actions.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua directly asks Allah to grant us the best of manners, which inherently includes humility. True humility is the foundation of sincere service to others; it’s what prevents our good deeds from being tainted by *riya' * (showing off) or *'ujb* (self-admiration). By asking Allah to guide us to good character and away from bad, we acknowledge our dependence on Him for spiritual growth and purification. This path of seeking divine guidance for character development is key to serving others effectively and pleasing Allah.
Source & Authentication
The hadith from which this dua is taken discusses the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ supplications. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: 'He said: O Allah, the Knower of the hidden and the apparent, the Light of the heavens and the earth, the Knower of the hidden and the apparent, the Judge in the heavens and the earth, my Lord and the Lord of all things, I seek refuge in You from the evil of myself and from the evil of Shaitan, and from acting evil towards any Muslim, or bringing evil upon any Muslim. He also said: 'O Allah, guide me to the best of characters, for none can guide to the best of them except You, and turn me away from bad characters, for none can turn away bad characters from me except You.' He also said: 'O Allah, I ask You for the provisions of this world and the Hereafter, and I seek refuge in You from disgrace in this world and in the Hereafter. O Allah, I ask You for the ability to approach You humbly and the ability to be just when pleased and when angry, and the ability to be moderate in wealth and poverty, and a pleasure that does not cease, and eyes that are delighted by the sight of Your Face, and I seek refuge in You from harm and a misleading guide, and I ask You for the Paradise and what delights therein, and what brings one closer to it from speech or action, and I seek refuge in You from the Fire and what brings one closer to it from speech or action, and I ask You that You make every decision you decree good for me.' *This specific dua is from the Prophet's ﷺ supplication for good character.*