اللَّهُمَّ أَحْسِنْ خِلْقَتِي كَمَا أَحْسَنْتَ خِلْقَتِي وَحَرِّمْ وَجْهِي عَلَى النَّارِ
O Allah, make my form beautiful as You have made my creation beautiful, and protect my face from the Fire.
Allahumma ahsin khilqati kama ahsanta khilqati wa harim wajhi 'alan-nar
When to Read
This dua is recommended to be recited when looking in the mirror. It's a moment to reflect on Allah's blessings in our physical form and to seek protection from His punishment. It's an opportune time to remember our accountability and ask for guidance and beauty both externally and internally, along with seeking refuge from the Hellfire.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely with full conviction. Focus on the meaning as you look at your reflection. It's a personal supplication, so utter it with humility and hope in Allah's mercy. The act of looking in the mirror is often accompanied by beautification, and this dua beautifully complements it by asking for a deeper, spiritual beauty and protection.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encompasses seeking excellence in our outward appearance, acknowledging Allah's perfect creation. More importantly, it is a profound request for inner purity and protection from the Hellfire. It ties the physical act of self-observation to spiritual consciousness, reminding us to align our external state with our internal one. By asking Allah to protect our faces from the Fire, we are asking for His mercy to shield us from His punishment, a critical concern for every believer.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to say when he looked in the mirror: 'O Allah, make my form beautiful as You have made my creation beautiful, and protect my face from the Fire.' (Musnad Ahmad 28124). While this narration is classified as Hasan, it reflects a beautiful principle of seeking both outward and inward perfection and seeking refuge in Allah.