اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ سَمْعِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ بَصَرِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ قَلْبِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَنِيِّي.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of my hearing, and from the evil of my sight, and from the evil of my heart, and from the evil of my sperm/discharge.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min sharri sam'i, wa min sharri basari, wa min sharri qalbi, wa min sharri maniyyi.
When to Read
This powerful dua can be recited at any time, but it's particularly beneficial to make it a part of your morning and evening supplications (Adhkar). It's also wise to invoke this protection whenever you feel a whisper of insincerity or internal conflict within yourself, seeking Allah's guidance to remain upright in your intentions and actions.
How to Read
Raise your hands, as you would for any dua, and recite this supplication with sincerity and a heartfelt plea to Allah. Focus on each part of the dua, genuinely seeking protection from the 'evil' associated with each faculty – hearing things that lead to sin, seeing things that are displeasing to Allah, harboring corrupt thoughts or intentions in your heart, and any unchaste thoughts or actions.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encompasses protection against internal diseases of the heart and mind, which are often the root of outwardly manifesting hypocrisy. By seeking refuge from the 'evil of our hearing,' we guard against listening to backbiting, slander, or falsehoods. Seeking refuge from the 'evil of our sight' protects us from looking at that which is unlawful or that which stirs inappropriate desires. Guarding the 'evil of our heart' is paramount, as the heart is the king of the body; if the heart is sound, the rest of the body follows. A corrupt heart can lead to outward hypocrisy, where one's actions don't match their words. Protecting ourselves from the 'evil of our sperm/discharge' (referring to sexual temptation and its illicit indulgence) is also a way to maintain purity and integrity, which are antithetical to hypocrisy.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abdullah: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to supplicate: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min sharri sam'i, wa min sharri basari, wa min sharri qalbi, wa min sharri maniyyi.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of my hearing, and from the evil of my sight, and from the evil of my heart, and from the evil of my sperm/discharge.) And he would say: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of the one whom I approach.' And he would supplicate: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min al-khabai' wa al-khaba'is.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil (mischief) of the Jinn and evil (mischievous creatures) of mankind).