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 guides to the best of it except You. And turn me away from evil character, for none turns away evil character except You.
Allahumma ihdini li-ahsanil-akhlaq, la yahdi li-ahsaniha illa anta, wasrif 'anni sayyi'aha, la yasrif 'anni sayyi'aha illa anta.
When to Read
This is a powerful dua to make regularly, especially during your daily prayers (salat) after the Tashahhud and before the Salam. You can also recite it anytime you feel a disconnect between your actions and the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ, or when facing a situation where you need to act according to the Sunnah. Making it a habit, perhaps after Fajr or before sleeping, will help internalize its meaning.
How to Read
Recite with sincerity and conviction, focusing on the meaning of the words. Picture in your mind the beautiful character and actions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Raise your hands if reciting outside of obligatory prayer. Strive to embody the 'best of character' and 'turn away from evil character' throughout your day, not just in the words you speak. This dua is a commitment to action, not just recitation.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua directly asks Allah for the highest form of guidance: guidance to the best character. The Sunnah is the living embodiment of the Prophet's ﷺ character and teachings. By asking for the best character, we are essentially asking Allah to help us understand, love, and implement the Sunnah in our lives. It acknowledges that only Allah can truly transform our character and actions, making us better Muslims who follow the Prophet's ﷺ way. This aligns our inner intentions with our outer actions, a core aspect of seeking Allah's pleasure.
Source & Authentication
‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to supplicate: 'Allahumma ihdini li-ahsanil-akhlaq, la yahdi li-ahsaniha illa anta, wasrif 'anni sayyi'aha, la yasrif 'anni sayyi'aha illa anta.' (O Allah, guide me to the best of character, for none guides to the best of it except You. And turn me away from evil character, for none turns away evil character except You.)