اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لَا تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لَا 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
Recite this dua anytime you feel overwhelmed by the fear of not knowing enough, or when you worry about appearing ignorant in discussions or before others. It's particularly useful before attending gatherings, lectures, or engaging in intellectual pursuits where you might feel self-conscious about your knowledge level. Keep it in your daily remembrance to foster humility and reliance on Allah.
How to Read
Raise your hands slightly in supplication as was the practice of the Prophet ﷺ. Utter the words sincerely, focusing on their meaning and the state of your heart. Understand that seeking refuge with Allah is a powerful act of worship. Reflect on each part of the dua: the desire for beneficial knowledge, a humble heart, contentment, and acceptance of your prayers.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua directly addresses the root of anxiety stemming from intellectual insecurity. By seeking refuge in Allah, you acknowledge that true benefit, true fear of Allah, true contentment, and answered prayers come only from Him. It helps shift your focus from external validation to internal spiritual growth, fostering humility. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would frequently seek refuge in Allah from various evils, teaching us the importance of this act. Beneficial knowledge (علم ينفع) is that which leads to righteous action and closer connection to Allah, not mere accumulation of facts. A heart that fears Allah (قلب لا يخشع) is one that is tender, mindful of Him, and motivated by His love and awe. A soul that is never satisfied (نفس لا تشبع) refers to a soul that is greedy or never content, leading to constant dissatisfaction. An unanswered supplication (دعاء لا يسمع) can relate to various reasons, but here, when coupled with the other requests, it implies a state of being cut off from Allah's response due to a flawed inner state.
Source & Authentication
Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to supplicate: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done, from the evil of what I have not done, from the evil of what I know, and from the evil of what I do not know.' (This hadith is narrated in Sahih Muslim 2716 with slightly different wording focusing on actions). Another similar dua narrated by Muslim is: '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) The context of the latter dua is seeking refuge from a state where knowledge doesn't benefit, the heart isn't moved by the fear of Allah, the soul is never content, and supplications are not heard, all of which can contribute to anxiety and distress.