بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ دَابَّةٍ أَنْتَ آخِذٌ بِنَاصِيَتِهَا
In the name of Allah, I seek refuge in Allah from the evil of myself and from the evil of every creature that You are seizing by its forelock.
Bismillahi, a'udhu billahi min sharri nafsi wa min sharri kulli dabbatin anta akhidhun binasiyatiha
When to Read
This powerful dua can be recited when you feel overwhelmed by negative thoughts about yourself, when self-doubt creeps in, or when you fear that your own shortcomings are holding you back. It's a moment to turn to Allah when you're wrestling with your inner critic. Reciting it in the morning and evening, as is the sunnah for many protective duas, also serves as a general shield.
How to Read
Utter this dua with sincerity and a focused heart, understanding that you are placing your trust in Allah. It's best recited when you have a moment of quiet reflection. Imagine yourself presenting your weaknesses and your dependence on Allah to Him. The act of seeking refuge (a'udhu) is a profound acknowledgment of Allah's power and your need for His protection.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua directly addresses the 'evil eye' of self-deprecation by seeking refuge from the evil within ourselves. It helps to shift our perspective from focusing on our perceived flaws to recognizing our complete reliance on Allah. It reminds us that even our own 'nafs' (self) can lead us astray, and only by seeking Allah's help can we overcome it. This fosters humility and reinforces our connection to the Divine, preventing us from becoming overly harsh on ourselves, which can be as detrimental as any external envy.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to say: 'O Allah, Knower of the unseen and the Seen, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Lord of everything and its Possessor, I bear witness that there is no god but You. I seek refuge in You from the evil of myself and from the evil of Shaytan and from Shirk, and from bringing evil upon myself or casting it upon any Muslim.' And he would say: 'Bismillahi, a'udhu billahi min sharri nafsi wa min sharri kulli dabbatin anta akhidhun binasiyatiha' (In the name of Allah, I seek refuge in Allah from the evil of myself and from the evil of every creature that You are seizing by its forelock).' — Sahih Muslim 2708