اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ سَمْعِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ بَصَرِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ لِسَانِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ قَلْبِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَنِيِّي.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of my hearing, from the evil of my sight, from the evil of my tongue, from the evil of my heart, and from the evil of my desires/semen.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min sharri sam'i, wa min sharri basari, wa min sharri lisani, wa min sharri qalbi, wa min sharri maniyyi.
When to Read
Recite this dua before you begin your public speaking engagement. It's particularly useful when you feel a surge of nervousness or the potential for frustration, which can often manifest as anger or a sharp tongue. The intention is to seek Allah's protection from the negative expressions of these faculties, including an uncontrolled tongue that might speak harshly out of anger.
How to Read
Recite with sincerity and focus on the meaning. Make a conscious effort to seek Allah's refuge. During your speech, if you feel anger rising, pause briefly and remember this plea for protection. You can also mentally repeat parts of it to regain composure. The 'evil of my tongue' specifically addresses the potential for saying something regrettable when provoked or frustrated.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua protects against various forms of internal and external harm that can disrupt one's speech and inner peace. By seeking refuge from the 'evil of the tongue,' we are directly asking Allah to help us control our words, especially in high-pressure situations like public speaking where a careless word can cause significant damage. It fosters inner tranquility and the ability to respond rather than react impulsively when faced with challenges during a presentation.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak: 'Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak said: 'Umm Salama said: The Prophet ﷺ used to say when he finished the morning prayer: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman nafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan.' When he said this, he would speak. The following hadith is related to the general protection sought from Allah, but the specific dua is more about controlling harmful inclinations that could manifest during speech. *Correction: The provided dua is attributed to the Prophet ﷺ in various supplications for general protection, but its direct link to controlling anger *during* public speaking requires understanding its broader scope. The specific hadith by Abu Dawud mentions seeking refuge from the evil of hearing, sight, tongue, heart, and desires. The context here is applying this general protection to the specific scenario of public speaking. More accurately, the hadith found in Sunan Abi Dawud 1554, narrated from Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak, states that he used to seek refuge in Allah from the evil of his hearing, sight, tongue, heart, and desires. This is a general supplication for protection which can be applied to the situation of public speaking, where one's tongue can be a source of great tribulation if not controlled, especially when facing difficult questions or perceived opposition.