اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا، وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا، أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلَاهَا، اللَّهُمَّ 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 taqwa (consciousness of You), and purify it, for You are the best of those who 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 does not fear (You), from a soul that is not satisfied, and from a supplication that is not heard.
Allahumma ati nafsi taqwaha, wa zakkiha anta khayru man zakkaha, anta waliyyuha wa mawlaha. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yash-sha', wa min nafsin la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yusma'
When to Read
This is a powerful supplication that can be recited at any time, but it is particularly beneficial to say it after your obligatory prayers (fardh salah) when your heart is most receptive. You can also make it a part of your morning and evening remembrance (dhikr). It's a dua for ongoing spiritual well-being.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and a humble heart. Focus on each phrase, understanding the profound requests you are making to Allah. Reflect on the areas of your life where your nafs might be leading you astray and ask Allah to guide and protect you. It’s important to feel the weight of seeking refuge in Allah from these internal struggles.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua directly addresses the internal battles we face. By asking Allah to grant our soul taqwa, we're asking Him to imbue us with reverence and obedience. Seeking purification from Him acknowledges that true cleansing comes only from the Divine. The refuge sought from 'knowledge that does not benefit' guards against intellectual arrogance or misguided learning. Protection from a 'heart that does not fear' shields us from hardness of heart or heedlessness. The plea against a 'soul that is not satisfied' is a request to be content and grateful, avoiding greed and covetousness. Finally, seeking protection from an 'unheard supplication' is a hope that our prayers are accepted and effective. It's a comprehensive spiritual safeguard.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Zayd ibn Arqam that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught them a supplication to say when they stand for prayer, and he taught them what to say when they finished their prayer: 'Allahumma atina fi-d-dunya hasanatan wa fi-l-akhirati hasanatan wa qina 'adhaban-nar. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yash-sha', wa min nafsin la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yusma'. (O Allah, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not fear, from a soul that is not satisfied, and from a supplication that is not heard.)