اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي لأَحْسَنِ الأَخْلاَقِ لا يَهْدِي لأَحْسَنِهَا إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، وَاصْرِفْ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا لا يَصْرِفُ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا إِلاَّ أَنْتَ
O Allah, guide me to the best of conduct and character, for none but You can guide to the best of it. And turn me from bad conduct and character, for none but You can turn [evil] from me.
Allahumma ihdini li ahsanil akhlaaqi, la yahdi li ahsaniha illa anta, wasrif 'anni sayyi'aha, la yasrifu 'anni sayyi'aha illa anta.
When to Read
This dua is powerful to recite when you feel tempted to speak ill of others, or find yourself in conversations where backbiting is prevalent. It's a good practice to make it a habit after every prayer, or upon waking and before sleeping, to constantly seek Allah's help in refining your character.
How to Read
Recite with sincerity and full presence, reflecting on the meaning and the profound reliance it places on Allah. Picture your tongue being guided away from harmful speech and towards beneficial or silent reflection. Understand that seeking Allah's guidance for your character is a continuous effort.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua directly asks Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) to purify our character, specifically targeting bad habits like backbiting and slander, which are severe sins in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the most eloquent in seeking Allah's help for character development. By asking Allah to guide us to the best of manners and to turn us away from the worst, we are directly addressing the root of the problem. Backbiting ('Gheebah') and slander ('Buhtan') are described as worse than adultery in some narrations, as they destroy relationships and reputations. Protecting ourselves from these sins ensures peace in our hearts and strengthens our community ties.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'O Allah, guide me to the best of conduct and character, for none but You can guide to the best of it. And turn me from bad conduct and character, for none but You can turn [evil] from me.'