اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ صَاحِبِ السَّوْءِ وَمِنْ جَلِيسِ السَّوْءِ وَمِنْ دَابَّةِ السَّوْءِ وَمِنْ ثِيَابِ السَّوْءِ وَمِنْ دُهَانِ السَّوْءِ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the bad companion, from the bad neighbor, from the bad riding beast, from the bad clothing, and from bad ointments.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min saahibus-saw'i wa min jaleesus-saw'i wa min daabbat-is-saw'i wa min thiyab-is-saw'i wa min duhanis-saw'i
When to Read
This powerful dua is best recited immediately after completing the prescribed prayers (fard or sunnah). It's a beautiful practice to engage in the remembrance of Allah and seek His protection as you transition from your worship to the rest of your day. Imagine finishing your prayer, turning to your right and left to say Salam, and then raising your hands to make this specific supplication, asking Allah to shield you from negative influences that could distract you from your deen.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a heartfelt awareness of Allah's power to protect. You can raise your hands slightly after the Salam, as is customary for making dua. Focus on the meaning of each phrase: asking for refuge not just from people, but from any influence, situation, or even material things (like clothing or perfumes) that might lead you astray or cause you harm.
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking refuge from bad companionship is crucial for maintaining one's faith and character. A bad companion can lead one to forget Allah, neglect obligations, and adopt negative habits. By reciting this dua, we are proactively asking Allah to: * **Guard our faith:** Protecting us from influences that might weaken our connection with Allah. * **Preserve our character:** Shielding us from bad examples that could corrupt our manners and actions. * **Ensure good company:** The opposite of seeking refuge from bad company is to be guided towards good, righteous friends who remind us of Allah and encourage us on the path of good. * **Seek holistic protection:** The inclusion of 'riding beast', 'clothing', and 'ointments' shows the comprehensiveness of the Prophet's ﷺ supplications, encompassing protection from various forms of harm in our lives.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Abdullah bin Mughaffal (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the bad companion, from the bad neighbor, from the bad riding beast, from the bad clothing, and from bad ointments.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 5094). The narration is considered Hasan because of supporting chains of narration.