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 recommended to be recited when you feel uneasy about visitors, when you notice something unusual in your home, or as a regular practice to safeguard your household. It's particularly beneficial before guests arrive, or immediately after they leave if you have any lingering concerns about the 'evil eye' or envy they might have unintentionally (or intentionally) cast upon your home or belongings. Reciting it three times in the morning and three times in the evening also offers comprehensive protection throughout the day and night.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and full conviction in Allah's protection. Ideally, you should blow gently onto your hands and then wipe them over your body, starting with your head and face, and then repeating this three times, as described in another narration for a similar dua by the Prophet ﷺ. If you are concerned about specific areas of your home, you can also recite it and blow gently towards those areas. For regular protection, it's recommended to recite it three times upon waking and three times before sleeping.
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua as a means of seeking Allah's complete protection from all forms of created evil. Its benefits include safeguarding the reciter, their family, and their home from harm, misfortune, and the harmful effects of the evil eye and envy. By turning to the perfect words of Allah, one acknowledges His ultimate power and sufficiency in warding off all negativity. The Prophet ﷺ himself used to seek refuge in Allah using these words when he felt unwell or when a night's sleep was disturbed by something.
Source & Authentication
Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Whoever says three times in the morning: 'Bismillahil-ladhi la yadhurru ma'asmihi shay'un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama'i wa Huwas-Sami'ul-'Alim' (In the name of Allah, with Whose name nothing can cause harm in the earth nor in the heavens, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing), nothing will afflict him suddenly until morning comes, and whoever says it in the morning three times, nothing will afflict him suddenly until evening comes." [Sahih al-Bukhari 6306]. And on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, I have been stung by a scorpion!" He (ﷺ) said: "If you had said, when you entered upon the evening: '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), it would not have harmed you." It was reported to Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: "O Messenger of Allah, shall I narrate it to the people?" He said: "Yes." Abu Salih (a narrator) said: "So 'Umar began to narrate it to the people in his gatherings and he would be afflicted by it, so whoever among them heard it, let him recite it."