اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ سَمْعِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ بَصَرِي، 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 heart, and from the evil of my semen/private parts.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min sharri sam'i, wa min sharri basari, wa min sharri qalbi, wa min sharri maniyyi.
When to Read
This is a profound dua taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for general protection, encompassing the inner self. It's particularly relevant when you feel the stirrings of negative thoughts or emotions like envy, hatred, or lust, or when you're concerned about the negative influences your senses might bring. Recite it regularly as part of your morning and evening supplications (Adhkar), or whenever you seek Allah's protection for your inner state and physical self.
How to Read
Make this supplication with sincerity and heartfelt concentration. Raise your hands in the typical manner of dua, or place your right hand over your heart as you recite. Focus on the meaning of seeking refuge in Allah from the potential harm that can originate from our senses and our heart. Understand that the 'evil of the heart' can manifest as envy, hatred, resentment, pride, and other destructive inclinations. By seeking refuge in Allah, we acknowledge our weakness and His all-encompassing power to protect us.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is a comprehensive shield against internal and external evils. By seeking refuge from the evil of our hearing and sight, we protect ourselves from harmful information and temptations that can lead the heart astray. The specific mention of seeking refuge from the 'evil of the heart' directly addresses destructive emotions like envy (hasad) and hatred (hiqd), which can poison our faith and relationships. It also protects the 'evil of one's semen/private parts,' guarding against illicit desires and their consequences. This supplication, therefore, safeguards our spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being by asking Allah to guard the very faculties through which we interact with the world and process our internal states.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to seek refuge from ten things, and the narrator mentioned ten (things) and this dua: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ سَمْعِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ بَصَرِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ قَلْبِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَنِيِّي. ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to supplicate: '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 desires.' (Note: The version provided in the JSON has 'maniyyi' which can refer to semen or private parts, a common interpretation for protecting chastity, while some narrations might mention 'lisaani' - tongue. Both are valid in seeking comprehensive protection.)