اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لاَ يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لاَ يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لاَ تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لاَ يُسْمَعُ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not fear (You), from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that is not heard.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yakhsha', wa min nafsin la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yusma'
When to Read
This dua is profound for reciting regularly, especially in the morning and evening (after Fajr and Asr prayers). It's a powerful way to check in with ourselves and seek Allah's protection against becoming spiritually inert or intellectually barren.
How to Read
Recite with sincerity and deep reflection. Understand each part of the dua: seeking refuge from useless knowledge (which can lead to arrogance), a heart that's hard and not moved by Allah's grandeur, an unfulfilled soul (always seeking more worldly things without contentment), and prayers that don't ascend (perhaps due to insincerity or unrighteous deeds). Imagine each phrase as a shield against these spiritual ailments.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua directly addresses four critical areas that can lead to stagnation and complacency. By seeking refuge from 'knowledge that does not benefit,' we guard against intellectual pride and the accumulation of information without spiritual application. Asking Allah to protect us from a 'heart that does not fear' safeguards us from becoming desensitized to Allah's majesty and commands, a key driver of spiritual laziness. The plea against a 'soul that is never satisfied' shields us from the endless chase of dunya, which distracts from our ultimate purpose. Finally, protection from 'a supplication that is not heard' reminds us of the importance of righteous actions and sincere intention in our worship.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to seek refuge in Allah with these words: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yakhsha', wa min nafsin la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yusma'.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not fear, from a soul that is not satisfied, and from a supplication that is not heard.)