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 no one can guide to the best of it except You. And divert me from bad character, for no one can divert from the bad of it except You.
Allahumma ihdini li-ahsanil akhlaq, la yahdi li-ahsaniha illa Anta, wasrif 'anni sayyi'aha, la yasrifu 'anni sayyi'aha illa Anta.
When to Read
This dua is particularly potent when recited during the blessed hours of the night, especially during Tahajjud (night prayer). As you stand before Allah, seeking His favor and closeness, this is an opportune moment to ask Him to perfect your character. You can also make it a regular part of your supplications after Fajr or any other prayer, or simply during moments of earnest reflection and sincere seeking.
How to Read
Recite this dua with deep sincerity and a humble heart. Focus on the meaning of the words, truly desiring Allah’s help in cultivating noble traits and shedding undesirable ones. Visualize yourself embodying the beautiful character you are asking for. Ensure you are in a state of purity if possible, and raise your hands in supplication as you implore Allah. It's also beneficial to reflect on the specific aspects of character you wish to improve and ask Allah to grant you strength in those areas.
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking Allah's guidance for good character is a profound act of worship. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized that the best believers are those with the best manners (Sahih al-Tirmidhi 2018). This dua directly aligns with that principle. By asking Allah to perfect your character, you are asking for qualities that draw people to Islam and earn you the love of Allah. Good character is a heavy weight on the scales of deeds on the Day of Judgment (Sahih al-Tirmidhi 2017). Cultivating it through sincere supplication, especially during the night when one is most focused and devoted, brings one closer to Allah and earns respect in this life and the Hereafter.
Source & Authentication
Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done, and from the evil of what I have not done.' And he used to say: 'O Allah, guide me to the best of deeds and the best of character, for no one can guide to the best of them except You, and divert me from bad deeds and bad character, for no one can divert from the bad of them except You.'