اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لاَ يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لاَ يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لاَ تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لاَ يُسْتَجَابُ لَهُ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that is of no benefit, from a heart that does not feel humble, from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that is not answered.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yash-sha', wa min nafsin la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yustajabu lahu
When to Read
This dua can be recited at any time, but it's particularly poignant to say after realizing you've missed Tahajjud. It's a general supplication for protection against a spiritual malaise that could lead to neglecting such important acts of worship. You can also use it as part of your morning or evening remembrance (Adhkar).
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and heartfelt reflection. Understand each phrase and its meaning. Recognize that missing Tahajjud, especially if due to laziness or a lack of desire, can be a sign of spiritual distance. This dua asks Allah for protection from the underlying causes of such neglect.
Virtues & Benefits
This powerful supplication, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, protects us from several spiritual harms: 1. **Knowledge without benefit:** Seeking knowledge is vital, but it must lead to action and Allah-consciousness. 2. **A heart without humility:** True faith softens the heart and brings about Khushu' (humility and reverence) in worship. 3. **A soul never satisfied:** Contentment is a key virtue; insatiable desire can lead to heedlessness and transgression. 4. **Unanswered supplications:** This protection is sought when our prayers are not being accepted, which can be due to various reasons, including our own shortcomings in worship and sincerity. By seeking refuge from these, we strengthen our resolve to maintain acts like Tahajjud and ensure our prayers are effective.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Zayd ibn Arqam that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to say: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'ilmin la yanfa', wa min qalbin la yash-sha', wa min nafsin la tashba', wa min du'a'in la yustajabu lahu.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that is of no benefit, from a heart that does not feel humble, from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that is not answered.)