اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَوَالِ نِعْمَتِكَ، وَتَحَوُّلِ عَافِيَتِكَ، وَفَجْأَةِ نِقْمَتِكَ، وَجَمِيعِ سَخَطِكَ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ مُنْكَرَاتِ الأَخْلاَقِ وَالأَعْمَالِ وَالأَهْوَاءِ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the demise of Your blessings, the change of Your well-being, the suddenness of Your punishment, and all that You are displeased with. And I seek refuge in You from the evil of character, deeds, and desires.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min zawali ni'matik, wa tahawwuli 'afiyatika, wa fuja'ati niqmatik, wa jami'i sakhatik, wa a'udhu bika min munkaratil akhlaqi wal a'mali wal ahwa'i
When to Read
This powerful dua is comprehensive, and you can recite it at any time, especially after your obligatory prayers (salat) or during your personal supplications (duas). It's particularly beneficial when you feel any inclination towards showing off your good deeds, seeking validation from others, or when you notice any negative traits creeping into your character or actions.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a clear intention to purify your heart and actions. Focus on the meaning of each phrase as you utter it. Raising your hands slightly, as is customary during supplication, can enhance the focus and earnestness of your plea.
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking refuge in Allah (SWT) from the evil of character, deeds, and desires is crucial for spiritual growth. Boastfulness (riya') and seeking praise (sum'ah) are hidden diseases of the heart that can nullify good deeds. This dua directly addresses these harmful traits, asking Allah to protect us from their allure and consequences. By asking for protection from 'munkarat al-akhlaq' (evil character traits), we are essentially asking Allah to keep us firm upon good character, which is a cornerstone of our faith.
Source & Authentication
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to seek refuge in Allah from the evil of all matters and from the evil of the evil. He would say: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I do and the evil of what I do not do. And he would say: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the demise of Your blessings, the change of Your well-being, the suddenness of Your punishment, and all that You are displeased with. And I seek refuge in You from the evil of character, deeds, and desires. (Sunan Abi Dawud 1540, Sahih). This particular dua is a subset of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) comprehensive supplications, found within a longer hadith that highlights his constant reliance on Allah for protection in all aspects of life.