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 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 when you witness or hear about the exploitation or mistreatment of the vulnerable – be it children, the elderly, the weak, or any group being unjustly treated. It's particularly potent when anger begins to well up, serving as an immediate shield against uncontrolled reactions. The vulnerability of others often triggers strong emotions in us, and this supplication helps us channel those feelings constructively.
How to Read
This is a profound supplication for self-protection. Recite it with sincere intention, focusing on the words and their meaning. Recognize that true strength lies not in outward aggression but in inner control guided by Allah. Make it a habit to recite it regularly, not just in moments of crisis, so that its protective essence becomes ingrained in your character. Imagine each phrase as building a fortress around your senses and your inner self, guarding them against being tools for wrongdoing or succumbing to negative impulses.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua seeks refuge from the internal sources of potential wrongdoing that can arise from what we hear, see, speak, feel in our hearts, and even our physical desires (represented by 'maniyyi' which can encompass sexual urges and also the 'discharge' of intentions/actions). When witnessing injustice, our senses can lead us to anger. Our ears hear the cries, our eyes see the suffering, our tongues might lash out impulsively, and our hearts can be consumed by outrage. By seeking refuge in Allah from the 'evil' of these faculties, we are asking Him to protect us from being led astray by our own reactions to injustice. It helps us maintain our composure, think clearly, and respond with wisdom and justice rather than raw emotion, thereby avoiding sin and acting in a manner pleasing to Allah. This allows us to be a force for good, seeking redress through proper channels instead of succumbing to destructive anger.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to seek refuge in Allah from the evil of... (the rest of the dua listed above). This supplication is part of a broader teaching where the Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized seeking refuge from various evils, both internal and external.