Ali’s Dua for Protection from Bad Character

August 16, 2026

Kötü Ahlak ve Nifaktan Korunma Duası Okunuşu ve Anlamı

Explanation

A short dua narrated from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). It asks that the heart be protected from hypocrisy and one’s character from corruption.

Dua Text

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الشِّقَاقِ وَالنِّفَاقِ وَسُوءِ الْأَخْلَاقِ بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ

Transliteration

Allahumma inni a’udhu bika mina ash-shiqaqi wan-nifaqi wa su’i al-akhlaqi bi-rahmatika ya Arhama ar-rahimin.

Meaning

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from discord, hypocrisy and bad character. I ask for Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful.

What Is Asked in This Dua

In this short dua, the servant seeks refuge in Allah from three dangers: discord, hypocrisy and bad character. Discord refers to resentment, division and estrangement of hearts between people. Hypocrisy (nifaq) is when what is in the heart differs from what the tongue says; it is being two-faced. Bad character is the corruption of one’s nature, sliding into a character that harms oneself and those around one. The servant asks to be protected from all three, and for his heart and character to remain sound.

At the end of the dua, Allah is called upon as “the Most Merciful of the merciful,” and the servant asks not only for protection but also for mercy. In other words, staying away from bad traits is seen as possible not through the servant’s own strength but through Allah’s mercy. This dua, narrated from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), is a sincere plea turning to Allah so that the heart is protected from hypocrisy and one’s character from corruption.

When and How to Recite

The source book mentions no specific time or number of recitations; it can be recited at any time. It is especially fitting to recite it at times of resentment or a possible falling-out, when one worries about two-facedness in the heart, or when struggling with bad traits such as anger or envy. Since it is short, it is easy to add to one’s daily duas.

Being in a state of wudu is preferable but not required. What matters is to recite it while reflecting on its meaning and sincerely feeling which trait one wishes to be protected from. Those who find the Arabic difficult can also make this dua with the same intention using its meaning in their own language.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Ali's dua for protection from bad character recited?

The source book mentions no specific time; it can be recited at any time. It is especially fitting during times of resentment, worry about hypocrisy in the heart, or a struggle with a bad trait.

Is there a set number of times to recite the dua for protection from bad character?

The source book mentions no specific number. Since it is short, it can be repeated sincerely as many times as one wishes.

Can the dua for protection from bad character be recited in English?

Yes, one can also make this dua using its meaning in one’s own language. What matters is to ask sincerely, knowing that one is seeking refuge in Allah from discord, hypocrisy and bad character.

Source

Majmu'at al-Ahzab, vol. 1, p. 545.

The text on this page was prepared by Dua Kitaplığı based on the work cited above. The Arabic text has been transcribed from the original with its vowel marks, and the transliteration in Latin letters and the English meaning are given separately. No virtue or number that does not appear in the source is added to this page. How do we prepare our content?

Published: 16 August 2026 · Last updated: 9 October 2026