5 supplications
Duas for Good Character
The Prophet ﷺ said that nothing is heavier in the scale than good character (Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi), and that he was sent to perfect noble manners (Ahmad). Character can be improved by effort and by du‘a, and he himself asked Allah for the best of manners in his prayer.
Beautify my character
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ حَسَّنْتَ خَلْقِي فَحَسِّنْ خُلُقِي
Allahumma anta hassanta khalqi fa-hassin khuluqi.
O Allah, You have made my outward form beautiful, so make my character beautiful.
Source: Musnad Ahmad
Guide me to the best manners
وَاهْدِنِي لِأَحْسَنِ الْأَخْلَاقِ لَا يَهْدِي لِأَحْسَنِهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ، وَاصْرِفْ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا لَا يَصْرِفُ عَنِّي سَيِّئَهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ
Wahdini li-ahsanil-akhlaqi la yahdi li-ahsaniha illa ant, wasrif ‘anni sayyi’aha la yasrifu ‘anni sayyi’aha illa ant.
Guide me to the best of manners, for none guides to the best of them but You, and turn away from me their evil, for none turns away their evil but You.
Source: Sahih Muslim
Refuge from bad character
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ مُنْكَرَاتِ الْأَخْلَاقِ وَالْأَعْمَالِ وَالْأَهْوَاءِ
Allahumma inni a‘udhu bika min munkaratil-akhlaqi wal-a‘mali wal-ahwa’.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from evil manners, deeds and desires.
Source: Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi
When angry
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
A‘udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim.
I seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan, the accursed. “I know a word which, if he said it, what he feels would go away.”
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari; Sahih Muslim
Seeking protection when going out
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَضِلَّ أَوْ أُضَلَّ، أَوْ أَزِلَّ أَوْ أُزَلَّ، أَوْ أَظْلِمَ أَوْ أُظْلَمَ، أَوْ أَجْهَلَ أَوْ يُجْهَلَ عَلَيَّ
Allahumma inni a‘udhu bika an adilla aw udall, aw azilla aw uzall, aw adhlima aw udhlam, aw ajhala aw yujhala ‘alayy.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from going astray or being led astray, from slipping or being made to slip, from wronging others or being wronged, and from behaving foolishly or being treated foolishly.
Source: Sunan Abi Dawud; Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi; Sunan al-Nasa’i
Character can be changed
The Prophet ﷺ asked for the best of manners in his opening du‘a (Muslim) and for a beautiful character in another du‘a (Ahmad). If character were fixed, he would not have asked. Scholars say it improves through du‘a, companionship of good people, self-discipline and patience until good manners become second nature.
He said: “The most beloved of you to me and the closest to me on the Day of Resurrection are those with the best character” (at-Tirmidhi), and that a believer reaches by good character the rank of the one who fasts and prays at night (Abu Dawud).
Anger and the tongue
A man asked for advice; the Prophet ﷺ repeated: “Do not become angry” (al-Bukhari). He taught to say “A‘udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim” when angry, to sit if standing, and to make wudu. The tongue is the gate of character: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him say good or remain silent” (al-Bukhari, Muslim).
Further guidance
‘A’ishah described the Prophet’s ﷺ character in one sentence: “His character was the Qur’an” (Muslim). Good character includes a cheerful face, holding back harm, doing favours, forgiving, truthfulness and keeping promises; the Prophet ﷺ said that even a smile is charity (at-Tirmidhi).
Practical tips
- Say the du‘a for good character every morning.
- When angry, keep silent and change your position.
- Apologise quickly when you hurt someone.
- Choose one bad habit to work on each month.
- Spend time with people of good character.
Duas for Good Character: questions and answers
What du‘a improves character?
“Allahumma anta hassanta khalqi fa-hassin khuluqi” (Ahmad) and “Wahdini li-ahsanil-akhlaq…” from the opening du‘a (Muslim).
What should I say when angry?
“A‘udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim” (al-Bukhari, Muslim), then change posture or make wudu.