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 feel awe, from a soul that is not satisfied, and from a prayer 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
This is a comprehensive supplication that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would recite. It's particularly relevant during salah, especially in the moments of prostration (sujood) or between the prostrations, when one is closest to Allah. Reciting it can help bring focus to the spiritual purpose of prayer and shield us from distractions.
How to Read
This dua is a profound supplication. When you recite it, try to internalize the meaning of each phrase. Reflect on how a lack of beneficial knowledge, a heedless heart, an unfulfilled soul, or ineffective prayers can hinder your connection with Allah. Understand that seeking refuge in Allah is an act of reliance and seeking His protection against spiritual ailments.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua aims to protect the believer from four detrimental states: 1. **Knowledge that does not benefit:** This refers to knowledge that doesn't lead to action, Taqwa (God-consciousness), or spiritual growth. 2. **A heart that does not feel awe:** A heart devoid of Khushu' (humility and awe in worship) cannot truly appreciate Allah's greatness. 3. **A soul that is not satisfied:** This refers to an insatiable desire for worldly things, which distracts from the Hereafter. 4. **A prayer that is not answered:** This can stem from various issues, including heedlessness, consuming unlawful earnings, or not fulfilling the rights of others. By seeking refuge from these, we are striving for a more meaningful and accepted prayer.
Source & Authentication
‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘As reported that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: "Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, is not concerned with the supplication of a heedless heart." In another narration: "Allah does not accept the supplication of a heedless heart." And Abu Bakr narrated: 'Uthman bin Affan said to 'Abdullah bin 'Amr: 'What is the most excellent supplication which you ask Allah for?' He said: 'I asked Allah for health for myself and for the Muslims. I heard Allah’s Messenger ﷺ say: 'The supplication of a person for himself and for his father or mother or his sister or brother or a friend is accepted without it being diminished. He said: I heard Allah’s Messenger ﷺ say: There are three supplications which are accepted without doubt: the supplication of the oppressed, the supplication of the pilgrim, and the supplication of a person against his father (in the sense of seeking the opposite of what he wants for him), and the supplication of a person against his father: and the supplication of a person against his slave. And he mentioned the supplication of a person for himself and for his father or his sister or his brother or a friend. And he mentioned the supplication of a person against his father. And he mentioned the supplication of a person against his slave. And he mentioned the supplication of a person against his father. And he mentioned the supplication of a person against his slave. He said: The supplication of the oppressed is accepted, and he would supplicate against his father, and the supplication of the pilgrim is accepted, and the supplication of the one who prays for his brother in his absence is accepted. Allah says: With you is the like of it. And he mentioned the supplication of a person against his father. And he mentioned the supplication of a person against his slave. And he mentioned the supplication of a person against his father. And he mentioned the supplication of a person against his slave. He said: The supplication of the oppressed is accepted, and he would supplicate against his father, and the supplication of the pilgrim is accepted, and the supplication of the one who prays for his brother in his absence is accepted. Allah says: With you is the like of it. And he mentioned the supplication of a person against his father. And he mentioned the supplication of a person against his slave. And he mentioned the supplication of a person against his father. And he mentioned the supplication of a person against his slave. He said: The supplication of the oppressed is accepted, and he would supplicate against his father, and the supplication of the pilgrim is accepted, and the supplication of the one who prays for his brother in his absence is accepted. Allah says: With you is the like of it. He said: 'Abdullah said: And I heard Allah’s Messenger ﷺ say: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not feel awe, from a soul that is not satisfied, and from a prayer that is not answered.' And this is the supplication which I have constantly recited since I heard it. (Sahih Muslim 2708a, 2708b, 2708c)