اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لاَ يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لاَ يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لاَ تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لاَ يُسْمَعُ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَؤُلاَءِ الأَرْبَعِ.
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 not satisfied, and from a supplication that is not heard. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from these four.
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'. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min ha'ula'il arba'.
When to Read
This powerful dua is recommended to be recited after completing the obligatory prayers (fard salah). It's a moment when our hearts are most receptive, having just engaged in worship. Making this supplication helps us safeguard ourselves against various forms of harm, both spiritual and worldly, as we transition back into our daily lives.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and a humble heart after finishing your tasleem (the final salutation) of your prayer. Focus on the meaning of each phrase, truly seeking Allah's protection. It's beneficial to pause for a moment, reflecting on your reliance on Him for safeguarding your spiritual and physical well-being.
Virtues & Benefits
This supplication encompasses seeking refuge from four critical afflictions: 1. **Knowledge that doesn't benefit:** This refers to knowledge that doesn't lead to righteous action or draw us closer to Allah. It can be a burden rather than a blessing if not applied for His sake. 2. **A heart that does not fear Allah:** A heart devoid of Allah's awe and reverence is prone to disobedience and heedlessness. We ask Allah to instill true fear and love in our hearts. 3. **A soul that is not satisfied:** This speaks to the endless desires and greed that can plague a person, leading to discontent and an insatiable pursuit of worldly gains. We pray for contentment. 4. **A supplication that is not heard:** This is a fear that our prayers might not be accepted due to hindrances like consuming unlawful earnings or having a heart heedless of Allah. By seeking refuge, we are asking Allah to remove any barriers to our duas being answered. Reciting this after prayer is a proactive measure to maintain the spiritual purity and protection gained through worship.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to seek refuge in Allah from four things, and he used to say: '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 not satisfied, and from a supplication that is not heard.' It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to seek refuge in Allah from four things: from the punishment of Hell, from the punishment of the grave, from the trial of the Dajjal, and from the trials of life and death. And he used to say: '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 not satisfied, and from a supplication that is not heard.'