أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ غَضَبِهِ وَعِقَابِهِ وَشَرِّ عِبَادِهِ وَمِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ
I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from His wrath, His punishment, the evil of His servants, and from the whisperings (or instigations) of the devils, and from their presence (or their coming near me).
A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min ghadabihi wa 'iqabihi wa sharri 'ibadihi wa min hamazatish-shayatin wa an yahdurun
When to Read
This profound dua is specifically taught by the Prophet ﷺ to be recited when you experience fear or restlessness during sleep, whether due to nightmares, unsettling thoughts, or sensing a presence. While its primary occasion is when one *feels* frightened, you can also recite it proactively before you lie down to sleep, making it a powerful shield against all forms of spiritual disturbances throughout the night. Think of it as invoking Allah's complete protection for your slumber.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and conviction, truly internalizing its meaning. When you say 'A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati,' you are affirming Allah's ultimate power and the perfection of His words, which no evil can transgress. Focus on seeking refuge from His wrath and punishment by reflecting on your actions, from the evil of all His creation by trusting His sovereignty, and crucially, from the whisperings and physical proximity of the shayateen by acknowledging their reality and Allah's dominance over them. This mindful recitation strengthens your reliance on Allah alone for safety.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua offers comprehensive protection from a range of evils. It guards you against Allah's wrath and punishment, which reminds us of the importance of seeking forgiveness and striving for good. It shields you from the harm of all His created beings, encompassing jinn, humans, and even animals. Most notably for sleep, it is a potent fortress against the instigations (waswas) and physical presence of the devils (shayateen), who often attempt to disturb our peace, especially during sleep, through nightmares and fear. The companion Abdullah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) valued this dua so much that he would teach it to his children who could understand and would even write it down and hang it around the necks of those too young to memorize it, not as an amulet, but as a teaching tool and a means of fostering reliance on Allah.
Source & Authentication
Amr ibn Shu'ayb reported from his father, who reported from his grandfather (Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas), that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'If one of you is frightened during sleep, let him say: > **Arabic:** أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ غَضَبِهِ وَعِقَابِهِ وَشَرِّ عِبَادِهِ وَمِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ > > **Translation:** "I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from His wrath, His punishment, the evil of His servants, and from the whisperings (or instigations) of the devils, and from their presence (or their coming near me)." > > **Transliteration:** *A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min ghadabihi wa 'iqabihi wa sharri 'ibadihi wa min hamazatish-shayatin wa an yahdurun.* And Abdullah ibn Amr used to teach this dua to his children who had reached the age of understanding, and he would write it down and hang it on the necks of those who had not yet reached the age of understanding.' — Sunan Abi Dawud 3893