Dua for Protection from Bad Character

Explanation

This is a dua for seeking refuge in Allah from bad character, bad deeds, the desires of the ego (nafs) and illnesses. Character (akhlaq) is a sense that shapes a person’s self and gives them their personality; a person’s excellence rests on their character.

In the dua one seeks refuge from four things: “munkarat al-akhlaq” (evil traits), “al-a’mal” (bad deeds), “al-ahwa’” (the whims of the ego) and “al-adwa’” (illnesses; the ailments that corrupt the heart and the body). The order of trait, deed, desire and illness is striking: a bad trait feeds bad deeds, and bad deeds feed the desires of the ego; together they make a person sick both spiritually and physically. The dua asks for protection from each link of this chain separately.

When and How to Recite

It has no set time, and the source does not give a number either. It can be recited at moments when a trait such as anger, envy or arrogance shows itself, and after the prayers.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “I was sent to perfect good character.” The source book states that character is the sense that gives a person their personality and that a person’s excellence rests on their character.

It is recommended to recite it when you get angry, when you feel jealousy or when you intend to give up a bad habit. Alongside the dua, reading about the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and spending time with good people is what the source’s emphasis on “adopting his character” calls for.

Virtue

Our Prophet ﷺ said: “I was sent to perfect good character.” Allah the Almighty gave our Prophet ﷺ the highest rank of character; his character was the Quran itself. We must drink deeply from the spring of his character and adopt his character as our own.