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 characters, for none can guide to the best of them except You. And turn me away from bad characters, for none can turn away bad characters from me except You.
Allahumma ihdini li-ahsani-l-akhlaqi, la yahdi li-ahsaniha illa Anta, wasrif 'anni sayyi'aha, la yasrifu 'anni sayyi'aha illa Anta.
When to Read
This dua is invaluable when traveling to new countries or interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. Recite it before embarking on your journey, upon meeting new people, or whenever you feel a situation might involve navigating unfamiliar customs or potential misunderstandings. It's a proactive way to seek Allah's help in embodying the best of manners.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and focus. Raise your hands slightly as you make dua, a practice common during supplication. Utter the words clearly, reflecting on their meaning and asking Allah to implant these noble qualities within you. Consistency in reciting this dua, especially during travel, can truly shape your interactions.
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking Allah's guidance to the best of manners is a profound act of worship. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was sent to perfect good character (Musnad Ahmad 12006). By asking for this guidance, we align ourselves with his mission and seek to embody the qualities that please Allah. This dua helps foster humility, recognize our reliance on Allah for inner transformation, and develop patience and empathy, crucial for bridging cultural gaps with grace.
Source & Authentication
Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: I did not see the Messenger of Allah ﷺ whose supplication was more frequent than it was in his supplication: 'O Allah, the Turner of the hearts, make my heart firm on Your religion.' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what is the matter that you so often supplicate: O Turner of the hearts, make my heart firm on Your religion?' He said: 'O Aishah, verily, it is not the creation that has made my heart incline to this or deviate from it, but rather it is Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, Who created the creation and He has no partner. In His hand is the command, and the deed, and the making of the heart, and He made us Muslims and He taught us our religion and His Book. Do you see my heart, it is between the two fingers of the Merciful? O Aishah, if Allah wished to make a people deviate after He had guided them, He would make them deviate, just as He made them deviate after Noah. And if Allah wished to make a people firm after He had made them deviate, He would make them firm, just as He made the Children of Israel firm. And the supplication is: O Allah, the Turner of the hearts, make my heart firm on Your religion.' He also used to supplicate: 'O Allah, forgive me my sin, and my mistake, and my ignorance, and my excess in my affair, and what You know better than I. O Allah, forgive me my jest and my earnest, my mistake and my wilful act, and all of that is with me.' And he said: 'O Allah, I ask You for guidance, and piety, and chastity, and richness (of heart). And he used to supplicate: 'O Allah, guide me and make me right.' And he used to supplicate: 'O Allah, I ask You for the guidance in this life and the life to come.' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, we are seeking guidance and chastity.' He said: 'O Aishah, if you supplicate Allah, ask Him for forgiveness and well-being in this world and the Hereafter.' And he also supplicated: 'O Allah, make my heart firm on Your religion and my body strong, and illuminate my sight, and set me free from the fire, and grant me protection in the Sacred Month.' And he also supplicated: 'O Allah, grant me provision of Paradise.' And he also supplicated: 'O Allah, grant me the love of You, and the love of those who love You, and the love of deeds which draw me near to Your love, and make Your love more beloved to me than myself, and my family, and wealth.' And he also supplicated: 'O Allah, guide me to the best of characters, for none can guide to the best of them except You. And turn me away from the worst of characters, for none can turn away the worst of them except You.'