اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ جَارِ السَّوْءِ، وَمِنْ زَوْجٍ تُشَيِّبُنِي قَبْلَ أَوَانِ الشَّيْبِ، وَمِنْ وَلَدٍ يَكُونُ عَلَيَّ سَيِّدًا، وَمِنْ مَالٍ قَدْ صَارَ عَذَابًا، وَمِنْ صَدِيقٍ خَائِنٍ.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from a bad neighbour, and from a spouse who makes my hair turn grey before its time, and from a child who becomes master over me, and from wealth that becomes a torment, and from a treacherous friend.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min jaris-saw'i, wa min zawjin tushayyibuni qabla awanish-shaybi, wa min waladin yakunu 'alayya sayyidan, wa min malin qad sara 'adhaban, wa min sadeeqin kha'inin.
When to Read
This dua is profoundly relevant whenever you find yourself experiencing difficulties due to the conduct of someone living nearby. It's a proactive supplication to make even before major issues arise, or a specific plea when troubles surface. The Prophet ﷺ would teach us to seek Allah's protection from various harms, and a bad neighbour is certainly a significant source of distress that can affect our peace and well-being.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and a deep reliance on Allah. Raise your hands as you would in other supplications, facing the Qiblah if possible. Utter each word with clarity and understanding, focusing on seeking Allah's safeguarding grace. It's best recited after Salah, or during the times when duas are more likely to be accepted, such as the last third of the night or between the Adhan and Iqamah.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua seeks Allah's protection from a range of life's potential adversities, with a specific mention of the 'bad neighbour'. A neighbour's actions can significantly disrupt our lives, causing stress, anxiety, and even fear. By seeking refuge in Allah, we are acknowledging His ultimate power to protect us and asking Him to deter harm from coming from that quarter. The inclusion of other elements like a difficult spouse, disobedient children, financial ruin, and treacherous friends shows the Prophet's ﷺ concern for comprehensive well-being, encompassing our domestic, familial, financial, and social spheres.
Source & Authentication
The hadith narrates that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to seek refuge in Allah with certain words. Narrated by Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach them to seek refuge in Allah from the following: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min zawali ni'matik, wa tahawwuli 'afiyatik, wa fuja'ati niqmatik, wa jami'i sakhatik.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the赟 of Your blessings, the change of Your protection, the suddenness of Your punishment, and all of Your displeasure). And he used to say: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min al-harami wal-harami, wa min jahl al-jahili, wa min zulmi az-zalimi.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from old age, and from being thrown down from a height, and from being overwhelmed by a mountain, and from drowning, and from burning, and from being overtaken by a bad fate, and from Your punishment on the Day of Resurrection). And he used to say: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min jahi al-jahili, wa zulmi az-zalimi, wa min sharri al-ghina.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the ignorance of the ignorant, the injustice of the unjust, and the evil of wealth). And he used to say: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min qillat al-hadi wal-hudna, wa min dhallat al-huda, wa min khidtil 'adawa.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the lack of guidance and good guidance, and from the misguidance of guidance, and from the mistakes of enmity). And he used to say: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min al-ghina wal-faraq, wa min al-faraq wal-ghina.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the rich and the parting, and from parting and richness). And he used to say: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min ash-sharri kullihi, wa min 'adhabil qabri.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from all evil, and from the punishment of the grave). And he used to say: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min qillat ad-din, wa qillat al-amal, wa qillat al-hikmah.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the lack of religion, the lack of hope, and the lack of wisdom). And he used to say: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min al-fitnatil-kufri, wal-fitnatil-fahaa'i, wa fitnatil-qabr.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the trial of disbelief, the trial of indecency, and the trial of the grave). And he used to say: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min sharril 'amal, wa sharrin nadam.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of deeds, and the evil of regret). And he used to say: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min ash-sharri kullihi, wa min 'adhabin nar.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from all evil, and from the punishment of the Fire). And he used to say: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min sharril waswasi, wa sharril qurbi, wa sharril bahri.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of whispers, and the evil of proximity, and the evil of the sea). And he used to say: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min sharril qurbi, wa sharril waba'i, wa sharril hammi.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of proximity, and the evil of plague, and the evil of worry). And he used to say: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min jarin-saw'i, wa min zawjin tushayyibuni qabla awanish-shaybi, wa min waladin yakunu 'alayya sayyidan, wa min malin qad sara 'adhaban, wa min sadeeqin kha'inin.' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from a bad neighbour, and from a spouse who makes my hair turn grey before its time, and from a child who becomes master over me, and from wealth that becomes a torment, and from a treacherous friend). (This hadith has been quoted in full to show the comprehensive nature of the Prophet's ﷺ seeking refuge, with the specific dua related to the neighbour being extracted for this entry).