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 discharge (semen).
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 profound supplication to be recited regularly, especially after your obligatory prayers or at any time you feel the need for comprehensive protection. It’s particularly relevant when you are in environments where gossip or slander is prevalent, or when you find yourself tempted to engage in backbiting or speak ill of others. Reciting it consistently helps fortify your senses and your heart against the negative impacts of harmful speech, both from others and from yourself.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely, with focus and a firm intention to seek Allah's protection. Raise your hands as you would in supplication, though it is also effective when recited without raising hands. It's a personal plea to the Almighty, so internalize the meaning of each phrase. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us to be specific in our duas, and this supplication clearly outlines the specific evils we are seeking refuge from, making it a powerful tool for spiritual defense.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua offers comprehensive protection from various forms of evil that can afflict us. Specifically concerning the tongue, it seeks refuge from the 'evil of my tongue,' which encompasses lying, backbiting (ghibah), slander (buhtan), harsh speech, and any other misuse of this powerful gift. By seeking protection from the evil of the tongue, we are safeguarding ourselves from causing harm to others, damaging our own reputation, and incurring Allah's displeasure. It also protects our hearing and sight from being used for evil, and our hearts from harboring ill intentions or desires that lead to sin. This is a holistic approach to seeking safety in all aspects of our being, as taught by our beloved Prophet ﷺ.
Source & Authentication
A man asked the Prophet ﷺ: 'What is the way to escape the great sins?' He said: 'To associate nothing with Allah. Then he said: 'Whatever you are asked about me, inform him about it, and whatever is presented to you, accept it, and whatever you are tempted by, refrain from it. The greatest of sins is to speak a lie or to betray your trust. And the best of acts is to say: La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah), and to say: 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.' (There is no god but Allah, 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 discharge).