اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَوَالِ نِعْمَتِكَ، وَتَحَوُّلِ عَافِيَتِكَ، وَفَجْأَةِ نِقْمَتِكَ، وَجَمِيعِ سَخَطِكَ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْقَبْرِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الدَّجَّالِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ جَهْدِ الْبَلَاءِ، وَدَرَكِ الشَّقَاءِ، وَسُوءِ الْقَضَاءِ، وَشَرِّ النَّفْسِ وَالشَّيْطَانِ وَعَمَلِهِ.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the demise of Your blessings, the change of Your protection, the suddenness of Your wrath, and all that displeases You. I seek refuge in You from the trials of the grave, and I seek refuge in You from the trials of the Antichrist. And I seek refuge in You from the hardships of calamity, the attainment of misery, the evil of decree, and the evil of the self, Satan, and his deeds.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min zawali ni'matik, wa tahawwuli 'afiyatik, wa fuja'ati niqmatik, wa jami'i sakhatik. Wa a'udhu bika min fitnatil-qabr, wa a'udhu bika min fitnatid-Dajjal. Wa a'udhu bika min jahdil-bala', wa darakish-shaqa', wa su'il-qada', wa sharri an-nafsi wash-shaytani wa 'amalih.
When to Read
This comprehensive dua is recommended to be recited before starting any meal. It's a moment to acknowledge Allah's blessings and seek His protection not just from external harm, but also from internal struggles that can arise, including the desires that might lead us astray, even in the simple act of eating. Making this dua before food is a way to imbue the act of sustenance with remembrance and reliance on Allah.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely, with full attention and conviction. As you say it, visualize yourself truly seeking refuge in Allah from all the mentioned evils. It's an intimate supplication, a personal plea to the Almighty before partaking in a blessing He has provided. Try to reflect on the meaning of each phrase as you utter it, strengthening your connection with Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates seeking refuge from a vast array of evils: the loss of Allah's favors, the reversal of well-being, His sudden punishment, and His displeasure. More profoundly, it includes seeking protection from the trials of the grave and the Antichrist, indicating the deep spiritual awareness of the Prophet ﷺ. Furthermore, it asks for protection from life's difficulties, despair, bad destiny, and crucially, the evil of one's own lower self (nafs) and Satan's influence, including their actions. Reciting this before eating is a holistic way to ensure that even our sustenance is sought with divine protection, preventing desires from leading us to anything displeasing to Allah.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated that Ibn 'Umar said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) never omitted these supplications when he was evening and when he was morning: 'O Allah, I ask You for well-being in this world and the Hereafter. O Allah, I ask You for pardon and well-being in my religion and my worldly affairs, for my family and my wealth. O Allah, conceal my weaknesses and make me feel secure from what I fear. O Allah, protect me from in front of me and from behind me, from my right and from my left, and from above me, and I seek refuge in Your might from being taken from beneath me.' And when it was evening, he would say: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of this night and the evil of what is in it. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of what has been sent down (rain) and the evil of what is sent down.' [This hadith is broader but contains the essence of seeking refuge. The specific wording for seeking refuge from the evil of the self and Satan is found in other narrations that can be combined for comprehensive understanding, such as the one often recited before sleeping or starting any endeavor.] Another related narration emphasizes seeking refuge from various evils: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min zawali ni'matik, wa tahawwuli 'afiyatik, wa fuja'ati niqmatik, wa jami'i sakhatik. Wa a'udhu bika min fitnatil-qabr, wa a'udhu bika min fitnatid-Dajjal. Wa a'udhu bika min jahdil-bala', wa darakish-shaqa', wa su'il-qada', wa sharri an-nafs, wa sharri ash-shaytan wa ashrakih.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the passing away of Your grace, and from the change of Your protection, and from Your sudden vengeance, and from all that You wish. I seek refuge in You from the torment of the grave, and from the trial of the Antichrist. I seek refuge in You from the hardships of tribulation, and from the evil of misery, and from evil decree, and from the evil of the soul, and from the evil of Satan and his associating (with Allah).') This broader dua, often recited at different times, encompasses a comprehensive plea for protection, which is highly relevant before eating to guard against internal temptations.