اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي لِأَحْسَنِ الْأَخْلَاقِ لَا يَهْدِي لِأَحْسَنِهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ وَاصْرِفْ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا لَا يَصْرِفُ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ
O Allah, guide me to the best of character, for none can guide to the best of it except You. And turn me away from bad character, for none can turn away from bad it except You.
Allahumma ihdini li ahsanil akhlaqi, la yahdi li ahsaniha illa Anta, wasrif anni sayyi'aha, la yasrifu anni sayyi'aha illa Anta.
When to Read
This is a foundational dua that can be recited at any time, but it's particularly potent when made after obligatory prayers or during the last third of the night. Imagine yourself standing before Allah, asking for the very essence of the Prophet's ﷺ conduct to be ingrained in your own life. Making it a regular part of your supplications reinforces your intention to follow the Sunnah.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and heartfelt conviction. Raise your hands as you would for other duas, focusing on the meaning of the words. Picture the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as the ultimate role model, his patience, his mercy, his honesty. Ask Allah to imbue you with these qualities, recognizing that true change comes only from Him. It's a prayer acknowledging our own limitations and His boundless power to transform us.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua directly asks Allah for the pinnacle of good character, acknowledging that only He can bestow it. By seeking the 'best of character,' we aim to embody the qualities that made the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ beloved to Allah and to humanity. Emulating his character is a direct path to pleasing Allah and is a cornerstone of our faith. The Prophet ﷺ himself said: 'The best of you are those who have the best of manners and character.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 3559). This dua is a direct supplication to achieve that very excellence.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him): We were with the Prophet ﷺ one day, and he said: 'O people, when Allah has blessed a servant with the grace of Allah in the guise of Islam, Satan is hostile towards him. When Allah has blessed a servant with the grace of Allah in the guise of piety and asceticism, Satan is hostile towards him. When Allah has blessed a servant with the grace of Allah in the guise of good character, Satan is hostile towards him.' Then he said: 'O Allah, guide me to the best of character, for none can guide to the best of it except You. And turn me away from bad character, for none can turn away from bad it except You.'