اَللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا، وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا، أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلَاهَا، اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لَا تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لَا يُسْمَعُ.
O Allah, grant my soul its piety, and purify it; You are the best to purify it. You are its Guardian and its Master. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that is not humbled, from a soul that is not satisfied, and from a supplication that is not heard.
Allahumma ati nafsi taqwaha, wa zakkiha anta khairu man zakkaha, anta waliyyuha wa mawlaha. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yakhsha', wa min nafsin la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yusma'.
When to Read
This dua is particularly poignant to recite when looking in the mirror before heading to your place of work. It serves as a moment of personal reflection and intention-setting. As you prepare to face the world and your professional responsibilities, this supplication helps align your inner state with outward conduct. It's a beautiful way to ask Allah to guide your actions and thoughts throughout your workday, ensuring your conduct is ethical and your efforts are beneficial.
How to Read
Stand before the mirror, look at yourself, and recite this dua with sincerity and focus. Imagine yourself embodying the qualities you are asking Allah for: piety, humility, contentment, and effective supplication. The act of seeing yourself while making this dua can be a powerful reminder of your accountability to Allah in all your endeavors, especially in your professional life.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua before work is a powerful way to seek Allah's protection and guidance. It helps to: 1. **Foster God-consciousness (Taqwa):** Asking for piety ensures your actions are aligned with pleasing Allah. 2. **Seek Beneficial Knowledge and Action:** You're asking to be shielded from useless knowledge and to have a heart that is receptive and humble, leading to more impactful work. 3. **Cultivate Contentment:** Seeking refuge from a soul that is never satisfied can help you avoid greed and envy, promoting ethical dealings and satisfaction with what Allah has provided. 4. **Ensure Effective Supplication:** You're asking for your duas to be heard, which implies your life and work are in order.
Source & Authentication
حَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ كَيْسَانَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَتْ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا سَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: "سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ". قَالَتْ: وَسَأَلْتُهُ كَيْفَ يَقُولُ إِذَا أَصْبَحَ؟ فَقَالَ: "يَقُولُ: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ". قَالَتْ: وَقُلْتُ لَهُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، عَلِّمْنِي كَلِمَاتٍ أَقُولُهُنَّ فِي دُعَائِي. فَقَالَ: "قُلِ: اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا، وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا، أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلَاهَا، اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لَا تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لَا يُسْمَعُ". (The relevant portion for this dua is the last sentence taught by the Prophet ﷺ to Umm Salamah).