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 a shield against all forms of evil, including the persistent effects of the evil eye (al-'ayn) and envy (hasad). It's recommended to recite it in the morning and evening, after every prayer, and anytime you feel vulnerable or suspect you may have been affected by the evil eye. If you see something that impresses you, whether in yourself, your family, or your wealth, it's a sunnah to immediately invoke Allah's blessings upon it, saying 'Tabarak Allah' (Allah has blessed it), and then recite this dua as a safeguard.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere conviction and a firm belief in Allah's power to protect. You can recite it silently or aloud. It is also recommended to blow gently onto yourself or the affected person after recitation, as was practiced by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when he performed ruqyah (Islamic healing). If the evil eye is suspected on someone else, one can recite this dua and then blow on them, or recite it and then say 'Allahumma barik 'alayhi' (O Allah, bless him/her).
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates a comprehensive seeking of refuge in Allah. By seeking refuge in His 'perfect words' – which refer to the Quran and His decree – we acknowledge His ultimate authority and power over all creation. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua as a potent means of protection against the ill effects of harmful things, including the spiritual and psychological harm that can be caused by the evil eye, which is a real phenomenon in Islam. Its recitation is a constant reminder of our dependence on Allah and His all-encompassing protection.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'Whoever says this dua three times in the morning will not be harmed by anything until the evening, and whoever says it three times in the evening will not be harmed by anything until the morning.' (Sahih Muslim 2708). Another narration mentions that when the Prophet ﷺ was asked about ruqyah for the evil eye, he mentioned that it was permissible if it did not involve shirk, and he himself recited: 'O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the suffering, heal for You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing, a healing that leaves no disease behind.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 5743) and also recommended seeking refuge with the words: 'A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min kulli shaytanin wa hammah, wa min kulli 'aynin lammah' (I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from every devil and every beast, and from every evil eye). (Sahih al-Bukhari 3371) This specific dua, 'A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq', is a concise and powerful expression of seeking refuge from all created evils.