أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.
A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq
When to Read
This dua is recommended to be recited in the evening, as part of the supplications recommended for the nighttime. It is particularly relevant after a day where one might have inadvertently spoken ill, gossiped, or engaged in backbiting, or to simply seek Allah's protection against such actions as the day closes.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and firm belief in Allah's power to protect. It is best recited once in the evening. Focus on the meaning of seeking refuge in Allah's complete and perfect words, which encompass all His creation and His power over it. This is a powerful way to safeguard oneself against the potential harm that can originate from the tongue, whether it's one's own or that of others.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua offers comprehensive protection from all forms of evil created by Allah. The 'perfect words' refer to Allah's divine decrees and His creation itself. By seeking refuge in them, one is essentially seeking refuge in Allah Himself. This dua, when recited in the evening, acts as a shield against the potential harms of the tongue – including gossip, slander, hurtful words, and even the whispers of Shaitan that lead to such sins. It fosters mindfulness of one's speech and encourages seeking Allah's help in controlling it.
Source & Authentication
When evening came, the Prophet ﷺ would say: 'O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the mighty Throne, our Lord and the Lord of all things, the One who splits the grain and the seed-kernel, the Revealer of the Tawrah, the Injeel and the Furqan, I seek refuge in You from the evil of every evil-doer whom You seize by the forelock. You are the First, than Whom nothing is before You; You are the Last, than Whom nothing is after You; the Apparent, than Whom nothing is above You; the Hidden, than Whom nothing is below You. Settle Your debt on us and enrich us from poverty, and I seek refuge in You from the evil of what is in the soul and from the evil of every animal whose forelock You seize. (And he would mention the like of this.) And he would say: 'A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq' (I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.)' – Sahih Muslim 2710. The specific phrase 'A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq' is a standalone supplication found in other narrations, such as Sahih Muslim 2708, and is recited thrice in the morning and thrice in the evening.