اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَالْهَرَمِ وَعَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، 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 دَعْوَةٍ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهَا.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from helplessness and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, from old age and the torment of the grave. O Allah, grant my soul its piety and purify it, for You are the best of those who purify it, You are its Guardian and Master. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that is not humble, from a soul that is not satisfied, and from a supplication that is not answered.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-'ajzi wal-kasali, wal-jubni wal-bukhli, wal-harami wa 'adhabil-qabr. Allahumma ati nafsi taqwaha, wa zakkiha anta khairu man zakkaha, anta waliyyuha wa mawlaha. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa'u, wa min qalbim la yakhsha'u, wa min nafsin la tashba'u, wa min da'watin la yustajabu laha.
When to Read
This powerful dua, taught by the Prophet ﷺ, is a beautiful and comprehensive supplication that we should make a regular part of our daily spiritual practice. It’s particularly potent when you find yourself reflecting on your own spiritual state, feeling a sense of spiritual inertia, or observing the collective challenges facing our Ummah. Recite it during your prostrations in prayer, after finishing your daily salah, or during the quiet solitude of Qiyam al-Layl. Any moment you connect with Allah, seeking inner peace and collective well-being, is a perfect time.
How to Read
When you recite this dua, let your heart truly engage with each phrase. Don't just say the words; live them. When you seek refuge from **laziness** and **cowardice**, think about moments you've fallen short and truly ask Allah for strength. When you plead with Allah to **purify your soul**, reflect on your own shortcomings and genuinely yearn for His cleansing. Feel the weight of what it means to have a **heart that is not humble** or a **soul that is not satisfied**, and then pour out your yearning for their opposites. This isn't a mere recitation; it's a deep conversation with your Creator, a journey into self-awareness and spiritual transformation.
Virtues & Benefits
The benefits of this dua are profound and far-reaching, touching both the individual and the collective spirit of the Ummah. By regularly asking Allah for this, you’re actively pursuing **spiritual purification** (tazkiyat al-nafs), which is a core objective of Islam. You gain protection from debilitating internal states like **laziness**, **cowardice**, and **miserliness**, which hinder personal growth and collective action. Most importantly, you ask for a **humble heart** and a **satisfied soul**, which are antidotes to arrogance, envy, and greed – diseases that often plague communities. When individuals within the Ummah are proactive in seeking such purification, it naturally contributes to a healthier, more cohesive, and spiritually resilient community, embodying the Prophetic desire for a strong and unified Ummah.