اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ مُنْكَرَاتِ الأَخْلاَقِ، وَالأَعْمَالِ، وَالأَهْوَاءِ، وَالأَدْوَاءِ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the undesirable morals, deeds, desires, and ailments.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min munkaratil akhlaqi wal a'mali wal ahwa'i wal adwa'i.
When to Read
This powerful dua is particularly relevant when engaging in night worship, such as Tahajjud. The stillness and introspection of the night are times when one's heart is most receptive to seeking Allah's guidance and protection. Reciting this dua before or during your prayers can help safeguard your intentions and practices from straying into innovations (bid'ah) or undesirable paths, ensuring your worship remains pure and accepted.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and heartfelt supplication. Raise your hands as you would during a regular dua. Focus on the meaning of each word and the profound protection you are seeking from Allah. It's best recited when you feel most connected to Allah, like during the quiet hours of the night.
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking refuge in Allah from 'munkarat' (undesirable things) encompasses protection from various forms of misguidance, including innovations in religion. Bid'ah, or misleading innovations, can subtly creep into our worship, altering the pure practices taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. By reciting this dua, we are actively seeking Allah's protection against adopting practices that deviate from the Sunnah, ensuring our deeds are sound and pleasing to Him.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Bakr As-Siddiq that he said: 'I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: 'There is no person who commits a sin, then performs Wudu' and prays, then asks Allah for forgiveness, except that Allah will forgive him.' Then he recited this verse: 'And those who, when they have committed immorality or wronged themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins – and who can forgive sins except Allah? – And [they] do not persist in what they have done while they know.' (Surah Al 'Imran 3:135). Then he said: 'And there is no person who is given the chance to be steadfast, then he is steadfast, and he asks Allah for steadfastness, except that Allah will grant him steadfastness. And there is no person who is given a trial, and he is patient, except that Allah will grant him patience.' Then he said: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the undesirable morals, deeds, desires, and ailments.' (Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min munkaratil akhlaqi wal a'mali wal ahwa'i wal adwa'i).