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/discharge.
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 is a powerful dua to recite regularly, especially after Salah (like the obligatory prayers) or at any time you feel a need to purify your inner self. It's particularly relevant when you reflect on your actions and intentions, seeking protection from any nascent signs of hypocrisy.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincere intention and deep reflection. Visualize each sense and faculty you are entrusting to Allah's protection. Understand that seeking refuge is an act of acknowledging Allah's power over all things, including the hidden aspects of ourselves.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua protects us from the unseen evils that can corrupt our faith and character. By seeking refuge from the 'evil of our hearing,' we guard against listening to slander, backbiting, or falsehoods. Protecting our 'sight' means averting our gaze from what displeets Allah and avoiding temptation. Safeguarding our 'tongue' helps us refrain from lying, gossip, and harmful speech. Shielding our 'heart' is crucial, as it's the seat of our faith and emotions, and the Prophet ﷺ warned that hypocrisy primarily resides there. The protection of 'maniyyi' (semen/discharge) is often understood in relation to protecting our chastity and avoiding unlawful acts stemming from desires.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to seek refuge in Allah from the evil of what he heard, and from the evil of what he saw, and from the evil of what he heard, and from the evil of what he spoke, and from the evil of his heart, and from the evil of his discharge. Reported by Abu Dawud in his Sunan (1554) and graded Hasan by Al-Albani. The wording can vary slightly in different narrations, but the core meaning remains the protection of our senses, faculties, and inner self from evil.