What dua do I say when I see something I dislike?

When you see something you dislike, say "Alhamdulillah 'ala kulli hal" (praise be to Allah in every situation). This is what the Prophet ﷺ used to say. It keeps you calm, grateful and patient, instead of complaining, and reminds you that Allah knows what you don't.

The sunnah words

Aisha said that when the Prophet ﷺ saw something he liked, he said, "Alhamdulillahi alladhi bi ni'matihi tatimmus-salihat" (praise be to Allah, by whose grace good things are completed). When he saw something he disliked, he said, "Alhamdulillahi 'ala kulli hal" (Sunan Ibn Majah 3803; graded hasan by al-Albani, though some scholars grade it weak).

It is short and easy to memorise. You can say it when the train is cancelled, when an exam result disappoints you, when you spill coffee on your shirt, or when you get news you didn't want. For the opposite moment, see What do I say to avoid the evil eye when I like something?

Why praise Allah for something bad?

Saying "Alhamdulillah" here doesn't mean you are happy about the problem. It means you trust that Allah is still wise and kind, even when you can't see the reason yet. Many things we dislike turn out to protect us or teach us something.

وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ "But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not." Quran 2:216

For more on this word, see What does "Alhamdulillah" mean and when do I say it?

Other helpful words

"Qaddara Allahu wa ma sha'a fa'al" (Allah has decreed, and He does what He wills). The Prophet ﷺ taught this instead of saying "if only I had done this or that", because "if only" opens the door to Shaytan (Sahih Muslim 2664).
"Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un" (we belong to Allah and to Him we return). This is mainly for real losses and bad news. See What do I say when I hear bad news as a Muslim?
A dua in your own words. Ask Allah to replace it with something better or to make it easy for you.

What about things that are wrong, not just unpleasant?

If what you dislike is an injustice or a sin, the dua is not the end of it. Islam asks you to change wrong with your hand if you can, then with your words, and at least to dislike it in your heart. So "Alhamdulillah 'ala kulli hal" is for accepting what Allah decreed, not for staying silent when someone is being hurt.

Key points

The sunnah phrase is "Alhamdulillah 'ala kulli hal", praise be to Allah in every situation.
It shows trust in Allah, not that you are happy about the problem.
Avoid "if only"; say "Qaddara Allahu wa ma sha'a fa'al" instead.
For real injustice, still act and speak up where you can.

Tip: Pick one small daily annoyance, like traffic or a slow Wi-Fi connection, and make it your trigger to say "Alhamdulillah 'ala kulli hal". After a week it becomes a habit, and you'll notice you complain a lot less.

What dua do I say when I see something I dislike?

The sunnah words

Why praise Allah for something bad?

Other helpful words

What about things that are wrong, not just unpleasant?

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