اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ سَمْعِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ بَصَرِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ لِسَانِي، 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 tongue, and from the evil of my heart, and from the evil of my semen.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min sharri sam'i, wa min sharri basari, wa min sharri lisani, wa min sharri qalbi, wa min sharri maniyyi
When to Read
This powerful dua is particularly relevant when you are engaged in night worship, such as Tahajjud. As you stand before Allah (SWT) in the stillness of the night, seeking closeness and forgiveness, it's a critical time to guard against slipping into harmful speech. Recite this dua before or after your prayers, or even during your supplications, to ask Allah to shield your senses and your heart from any negativity that could mar your worship.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a focused heart. Understand that the 'evil of the tongue' encompasses gossip, backbiting, slander, falsehoods, and any idle talk that displetes Allah. As you seek refuge, picture Allah's immense power protecting you from these harmful tendencies. Repeat it, especially when you feel a temptation to speak ill or engage in pointless conversation.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is a comprehensive shield. By seeking refuge from the evil of the tongue, you are actively asking Allah to prevent you from engaging in harmful speech, which can destroy relationships, earn Allah's displeasure, and even negate good deeds. Protecting your tongue ensures your worship remains pure and your heart stays focused on remembrance of Allah, especially during the blessed hours of the night.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to invoke: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from my hearing, from my sight, from my tongue, from my heart, and from my sexual organ.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 1554, also found in Sunan An-Nasa'i 5494 - Sahih category due to corroborating narrations). The context of seeking refuge from the 'evil of the tongue' is vital for anyone dedicating time to worship. The Prophet's ﷺ comprehensive seeking of refuge highlights the interconnectedness of our senses, heart, and speech in pleasing Allah.