اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ شَيْئًا وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لاَ أَعْلَمُ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating any partner with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do unknowingly.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika an ushrika bika shai'an wa ana a'lam, wa astaghfiruka lima la a'lam
When to Read
This is a profoundly important dua, especially relevant after every salah, or whenever one feels a flicker of doubt or is exposed to situations that might subtly lead towards Shirk. It's also a wise supplication to make during times of introspection or when seeking deeper understanding of Tawheed.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely with full conviction in your heart. Raise your hands as you would in supplication. Focus on the meaning of the words and the immense need for Allah's protection against the gravest of sins. Understanding that Shirk is the only unforgivable sin if one dies upon it, makes the recitation even more earnest.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua directly addresses the gravest of sins: Shirk (associating partners with Allah). By seeking refuge in Allah, we acknowledge our weakness and His absolute power to protect us. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua as a means of safeguarding our Tawheed, which is the very foundation of our faith. Knowing that the Prophet ﷺ himself would make this supplication emphasizes its critical importance for every Muslim. Protecting ourselves from both known and unknown forms of Shirk is essential for attaining Allah's pleasure and ultimate success.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Bakr As-Siddiq that he said: 'O Messenger of Allah, teach me something to say in the morning.' He said: 'O Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, Lord of all and its King, I bear witness that there is no god but Allah. I seek refuge in You from the evil of myself and from the evil of the devil and his helpers, and from committing evil against myself or dragging evil to any Muslim.' He said: 'Say it in the morning and in the evening.' It was also narrated from him that he said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I have learned the words of supplication for a while.' He said: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating any partner with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do unknowingly.' He said: 'O Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, Lord of all and its King, 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 the devil and his helpers, and from committing evil against myself or dragging evil to any Muslim.' He said: 'Say it in the morning and in the evening, and when you go to your bed.' [This narration has slight variations in wording across different sources but the core meaning regarding seeking refuge from Shirk is consistent in Sahih al-Bukhari 750 and Sahih Muslim 2709, with the specific phrasing about Shirk found prominently in Bukhari.]