أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.
A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq
When to Read
This powerful supplication is particularly potent when recited during the stillness of Tahajjud (the night prayer). The late hours of the night, when one detaches from worldly distractions and turns to Allah with a sincere heart, are a prime time for answered duas. Reciting this as a shield against pandemics, especially when hearing news of outbreaks or feeling a sense of unease, is a profound act of reliance on Allah.
How to Read
Recite this dua three times in the morning and three times in the evening. When seeking protection from specific calamities like epidemics, it's especially meaningful to recite it during Tahajjud. Raise your hands, focusing your heart on Allah's power and mercy, and utter these words with conviction. The 'perfect words of Allah' encompass the Quran and His divine decree, and seeking refuge in them signifies acknowledging His ultimate authority over all creation, including diseases.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is a shield. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us that whoever recites this three times in the morning and three times in the evening will be protected from all harms. Imam Muslim documented this hadith, highlighting its significance. When facing the unseen threat of epidemics, turning to the 'perfect words of Allah' is a way to invoke His divine protection, acknowledging that no disease or harm can befall us except by His permission. The stillness of Tahajjud amplifies this seeking of refuge, as it's a time when our supplications are believed to ascend more readily.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that a man came to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and said: O Messenger of Allah, what have you encountered this night? He said: I was stung by a scorpion. He said: What prevented you from saying, had it been evening? أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ (A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq) i.e. 'I seek refuge in Allah's perfect words from the evil of what He created,' and it would not have harmed you. The narrator said: So, he (the Prophet) addressed his family and said: O Abu Huraira, learn this supplication and teach it to the people, for indeed, whoever says it when he is in a place like this would not be harmed.