اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ مُنْكَرَاتِ الأَخْلاَقِ، وَالأَعْمَالِ، وَالأَهْوَاءِ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from evil character, evil deeds, and evil inclinations.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min munkaratil-akhlaqi, wal-a'mali, wal-ahwa'
When to Read
The quiet hours of night worship, especially during Tahajjud, offer a sacred space to lay bare our hearts before Allah. If you've been struggling to release resentment or forgive someone who has wronged you, this is the perfect time to make this dua. It’s a comprehensive plea for purity of character, which directly underpins our ability to forgive. Recite it during your sujood, after finishing your prayers, or in the last third of the night when Allah descends to the lowest heaven and responds to our supplications.
How to Read
To truly benefit from this dua, recite it with full presence of heart and understanding. As you say "evil character," reflect on traits like anger, stubbornness, or pride that might be hindering your forgiveness. When you say "evil inclinations," bring to mind the bitter feelings or grudges that weigh heavily on your heart. Ask Allah to remove these obstacles, replacing them with compassion, patience, and a forgiving spirit. Understand that the strength to forgive isn't always something we generate on our own; it's a gift from Allah, and this dua is your sincere request for that divine aid.
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking refuge in Allah from 'evil character' (munkaratil-akhlaq) is asking Him to bless us with the noblest traits, chief among them being mercy and forgiveness. The Prophet ﷺ taught us the profound virtue of good character, stating, "The best among you are those who have the best character." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6029). When we actively ask Allah for strength against these negative inclinations, we open ourselves to spiritual purification, inner peace, and the ability to truly let go. Forgiveness is a path to Allah's own forgiveness, as He says: "...and to pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (An-Nur 24:22). Through this dua, you seek a heart pure enough to embody the beautiful example of our Prophet ﷺ and attain Allah's pleasure.
Source & Authentication
Ziyad bin 'Ilaqah narrated from his paternal uncle: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to say: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from evil character, evil deeds, and evil inclinations.'" > **Arabic:** حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ ثَوْرِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ خَالِدِ بْنِ مَعْدَانَ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْأَسْوَدِ، عَنْ زِيَادِ بْنِ عِلَاقَةَ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ: «اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ مُنْكَرَاتِ الأَخْلاَقِ وَالأَعْمَالِ وَالأَهْوَاءِ» > > **Translation:** Ziyad bin 'Ilaqah narrated from his paternal uncle: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to say: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from evil character, evil deeds, and evil inclinations.'" > > **Transliteration:** *Haddathana Abu Kuraib, haddathana Abu Usamah, 'an Sufyan, 'an Thawr bin Yazid, 'an Khalid bin Ma'dan, 'an 'Amr bin al-Aswad, 'an Ziyad bin 'Ilaqah, 'an 'ammihi, qala: Kana Rasulullahi ﷺ yaqulu: "Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min munkaratil-akhlaqi wal-a'mali wal-ahwa'"* > > — Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3591