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 powerful dua is best recited as part of your evening routine, just before you sleep. It's a shield you put up around yourself and your loved ones as darkness falls and the world quiets down. Imagine tucking your children into bed, or settling down yourself – this is the perfect moment to invoke Allah's protection.
How to Read
Recite this dua three times each night before sleeping. It is recommended to gently blow on your hands and then wipe them over your body, starting with your head and face, and then over the front of your body. This practice, as described in the Sunnah, amplifies the feeling of seeking refuge and enclosing yourself within Allah's care. Ensure you are in a state of Wudu if possible, though it is not strictly required for evening remembrance duas. Focus on the meaning and the sincerity of your plea to Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this dua as a means of protection against all kinds of evils that may manifest during the night. Whether it's unseen harms, negative thoughts, or physical dangers, seeking refuge in Allah's perfect words is a profound act of trust (Tawakkul). By reciting it consistently, we invite Allah's encompassing protection over ourselves, our families, and our homes, fostering peace of mind and a sense of security. It reminds us that ultimate safety comes only from our Creator.
Source & Authentication
The narration describing this dua is often linked to seeking refuge from various harms. For instance, when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was ill, he used to recite the last three Surahs of the Quran (Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas) and blow on his hands and rub them over his body. However, the specific dua 'A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq' is also found in Sahih Muslim as a general supplication for protection. Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'When any one of you gets up at night and says: 'La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir. Subhanallahi wal-hamdu lillahi wa la ilaha illallahu wallahu Akbar, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahil-'Aliyyil-'Adhim.' Then he says: 'Rabbighfirli' (O my Lord, forgive me), or he supplicates, he is answered; and if he performs ablution and prays, then his prayer is accepted.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306). The dua 'A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq' is a distinct and potent supplication for protection against creation's evils, taught for us to use regularly, particularly at night.