اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لاَ يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لاَ يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لاَ تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لاَ يُسْمَعُ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not fear You, from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that is not answered.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yakhsha', wa min nafsin la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yusma'
When to Read
This powerful dua is specifically recommended to be recited *after* the obligatory prayers. It's a moment when we've just finished our communion with Allah, our hearts are hopefully softened, and we are seeking His continued protection throughout our day.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely, with the intention of seeking Allah's protection. It's best recited after completing your Tasbih (SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar) and other *dhikr* (remembrance of Allah) that the Prophet ﷺ taught us to say after prayer.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates a comprehensive seeking of refuge. 'Knowledge that does not benefit' refers to useless or harmful knowledge that doesn't bring us closer to Allah or improve our actions. A 'heart that does not fear' is one that is hardened and unmindful of Allah. A 'soul that is never satisfied' speaks to greed and constant worldly desire. And a 'supplication that is not answered' can stem from various reasons, including consuming unlawful earnings or not having sincerity. By reciting this, we ask Allah to safeguard us from these spiritual ailments.
Source & Authentication
‘Abdullah b. Mas'ud reported that the Prophet ﷺ used to teach them the following words as he used to teach them the Qur'an: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yakhsha', wa min nafsin la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yusma'. (Sahih Muslim 2722)