أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ. ثُمَّ قُلْ: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَوَارِ الْقُبُورِ، وَمِنْ عُقُوقِ الْأُمَّهَاتِ، وَمِنْ دَيْنٍ يَضِلُّنِي، وَمِنْ عَمَلٍ يُخْزِينِي، وَمِنْ قَوْلٍ يُصَوِّرُنِي، وَمِنْ طَعَامٍ يُشْبِعُنِي، وَمِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ صَلَاةٍ لَا تَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لَا يُسْمَعُ، وَمِنْ جَهْدِ الْبَأْسِ، وَمِنْ جَهْدِ الْجَارِ، وَمِنْ شَخْصٍ يُسَاوِي نَفْسِي، وَمِنْ نِسْوَةٍ يُفْتِنُونَنِي. اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأَشْيَاءِ كُلِّهَا.
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan. Then say: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from visiting graves, and from disobedience to mothers, and from debt that makes me fall into error, and from deeds that disgrace me, and from words that deceive me, and from food that makes me overeat, and from knowledge that does not benefit, and from prayer that is not beneficial, and from supplication that is not heard, and from the hardship of battle, and from the hardship of the neighbor, and from a person who is equal to myself, and from women who tempt me. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from all of these things.
A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajeem. Thumma qul: Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min zawaril-quboor, wa min 'uqoqil-ummahaat, wa min dainin yudhilluni, wa min 'amalin yukhzeeni, wa min qawlin yusawwiruni, wa min ta'amin yushbi'uni, wa min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min salatin la tanfa', wa min du'a'in la yusma', wa min juhdil-ba's, wa min juhdil-jaari, wa min shakhsin yusawi nafsi, wa min nisaawatin yuftinoonani. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min hadhihil-ashya'i kulliha.
When to Read
This profound supplication is for seeking refuge from various afflictions, including potentially those that can distract and lead to doubts during prayer. While the hadith doesn't specifically mention reciting it *during* prayer, it's a comprehensive dua that one can make at any time, especially when feeling overwhelmed by worries or temptations that might affect one's focus. You can make this dua in your personal supplications, after prayer, or even silently to yourself when you notice your mind wandering due to external influences or internal anxieties.
How to Read
The best way to approach this dua is with sincerity and a sincere heart. Raise your hands (if making it outside of prayer) or place your hand over your heart. Utter the Arabic words with conviction, reflecting on each aspect you are seeking refuge from. Understand that these are not mere words, but a plea to Allah for protection against things that can harm your faith and your peace, including the subtle ways doubt can creep into your worship.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encompasses a vast range of seeking refuge, from tangible troubles like debt and disobedience to more subtle internal struggles like knowledge that doesn't benefit and prayer that isn't accepted. By reciting this, you are actively turning to Allah for protection, acknowledging that true peace and stability come only from Him. It helps cultivate a conscious reliance on Allah and strengthens one's resolve against the whispers of Shaytan that can lead to doubt and distraction in prayer and in life.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abdullah bin Mas'ud: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach us the Tashahhud and the supplication (to be said) during the prayer and the supplication (to be said) after the prayer. And 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud narrated from the Prophet (ﷺ) that he would seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the Hellfire and seek refuge in Allah from the torment of the grave, and seek refuge in Allah from the trial of the Dajjal, and seek refuge in Allah from the trial of life and death. He said: And he taught us to say: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min zawaril-quboor, wa min 'uqoqil-ummahaat, wa min dainin yudhilluni, wa min 'amalin yukhzeeni, wa min qawlin yusawwiruni, wa min ta'amin yushbi'uni, wa min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min salatin la tanfa', wa min du'a'in la yusma', wa min juhdil-ba's, wa min juhdil-jaari, wa min shakhsin yusawi nafsi, wa min nisaawatin yuftinoonani. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min hadhihil-ashya'i kulliha.