When You Are Praised: A Supplication of Humility Every Muslim Should Know
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
In our daily lives, people sometimes praise us — for our character, success, generosity, or knowledge. While appreciation is natural, Islam teaches us how to protect our hearts from pride and self-admiration.
The Prophet ﷺ guided us to respond with humility and awareness of our own shortcomings.
📖 The Supplication
🔹 Arabic Text
اللَّهُمَّ لَا تُؤَاخِذْنِي بِمَا يَقُولُونَ، وَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي خَيْرًا مِمَّا يَظُنُّونَ
🔹 Transliteration
Allāhumma lā tu’ākhidh-nī bimā yaqūlūn, waghfir lī mā lā ya‘lamūn, waj‘alnī khayran mimmā yaẓunnūn.
🔹 English Meaning
“O Allah, do not take me to account for what they say (about me), forgive me for what they do not know (about me), and make me better than what they think of me.”
📚 Authentic Source
This supplication is authentically reported from:
Hisn al-Muslim 232
It is narrated from Abu Bakr aṣ-Ṣiddīq (رضي الله عنه)
Classified as Ṣaḥīḥ (Authentic)
Additionally, the Prophet ﷺ warned against excessive praise:
“If one of you must praise his brother, let him say: ‘I think him to be such-and-such, and Allah knows best about him, and I do not purify anyone before Allah.’”
Sahih al-Bukhari (2662)Sahih Muslim (3000)
🌿 Why This Du‘ā’ Is Powerful
When someone praises us:
We may feel happy — and that is natural.
But the heart is in danger of pride (‘ujb).
Praise can slowly lead to arrogance if not guarded.
This du‘ā’ does three powerful things:
1️⃣ It Seeks Protection
“Do not take me to account for what they say.”
— Meaning: If their praise is exaggerated or inaccurate, protect me from being questioned for it.
2️⃣ It Seeks Forgiveness
“Forgive me for what they do not know.”
— People see our good actions. Allah sees our hidden faults.
3️⃣ It Seeks Improvement
“Make me better than what they think.”
— Instead of believing the praise, we ask Allah to truly elevate us.
💎 The Character of the Righteous
The righteous predecessors would feel uncomfortable when praised. Some of them would say:
“If you truly knew me, you would not praise me.”
Not because they lacked confidence —
But because they understood their reality before Allah.
True success is not public reputation.
True success is Allah’s acceptance.
🧠 Practical Sunnah Response When Praised
If someone praises you:
Say Alhamdulillāh (All praise belongs to Allah).
Recite this du‘ā’.
Remember your hidden sins.
Make intention to improve.
This keeps the heart humble and sincere.
🤲 A Reflection for Today
In a world driven by likes, followers, titles, and recognition —
This supplication is a shield for the soul.
May Allah protect us from pride, forgive our hidden sins, and make us better than what people assume about us.
Āmīn.