اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ سَمْعِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ بَصَرِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ لِسَانِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ قَلْبِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَنِيِّي.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of my hearing, and the evil of my sight, and the evil of my tongue, and the evil of my heart, and the evil of my semen.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min sharri sam'i, wa min sharri basari, wa min sharri lisani, wa min sharri qalbi, wa min sharri maniyyi.
When to Read
This comprehensive dua is excellent to recite daily, especially in the morning after Fajr prayer and in the evening after Asr prayer. It's particularly relevant when you find yourself in environments where gossip and backbiting are prevalent, or when you feel susceptible to being drawn into or affected by such speech. Reciting it before entering social gatherings or engaging in online interactions can also be beneficial.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and conviction. Raise your hands as you begin, as is customary for seeking refuge with Allah. Repeat it three times for added emphasis and protection. Focus on the meaning of each phrase, truly seeking Allah's protection from the harms of what you hear, see, say, and even the thoughts within your heart that could lead to harmful speech or actions. It's best recited when you are in a state of purity (wudu) if possible, but its primary condition is a sincere heart seeking Allah's help.
Virtues & Benefits
This profound supplication, taught to the Prophet's ﷺ companion Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him), offers holistic protection. By seeking refuge from the 'evil of my tongue,' we are directly asking Allah to shield us from engaging in or being harmed by gossip, slander, and backbiting. These sins are severe in Islam, often described as worse than adultery and capable of consuming good deeds like fire consumes wood. This dua also guards against the harm of what we hear and see, preventing us from being influenced by or spreading negativity. Protecting the heart from ill intentions that fuel such speech is also a crucial aspect of this supplication. It's a powerful shield against the spiritual decay that gossip and backbiting can cause.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to seek refuge with Allah in these words: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ سَمْعِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ بَصَرِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ لِسَانِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ قَلْبِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَنِيِّي. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min sharri sam'i, wa min sharri basari, wa min sharri lisani, wa min sharri qalbi, wa min sharri maniyyi. 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of my hearing, and the evil of my sight, and the evil of my tongue, and the evil of my heart, and the evil of my semen.' Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 'I was taught this by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and he used to say it in the morning and the evening.' — Sunan Abi Dawud 1551 (Hasan)