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 anger and His punishment, and from the evil of His slaves, and from the whispers of devils and from their presence.
A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min ghadabihi wa 'iqabihi, wa sharri 'ibadihi, wa min hamazatis-shayateeni wa an yahdhurun
When to Read
This dua is particularly recommended to be recited upon waking from a bad dream. It's a powerful way to seek Allah's protection immediately after experiencing disturbing imagery, preventing any negative impact from the dream.
How to Read
When you wake up from a bad dream, you should seek refuge in Allah. Specifically, you can recite this dua. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us that if one of you sees a disturbing dream, he should seek refuge in Allah from its evil and from the evil of Shaytan, and he should spit to his left three times and turn over to the side from which he was previously lying. This dua encapsulates that seeking of refuge.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua when disturbed by a bad dream offers immediate divine protection. It shields you from the potential negative psychological or spiritual effects of the dream, invoking Allah's perfect words as a barrier against any harm the dream might have intended or caused through Shaytan's influence. It's a practical application of seeking Allah's refuge in times of distress, even within the realm of sleep.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'If one of you sees a dream that he likes, he should tell (it to those whom he loves). But if he sees a dream that he dislikes, it is from Shaytan, so he should seek refuge in Allah from its evil and not mention it to anyone, then it will not harm him.' In another narration, he said: '...he should spit to his left three times and turn over to the side from which he was previously lying.' [Sahih Muslim 2272] Another related hadith is: 'Ubadah ibn as-Samit narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever says (in the morning and evening), 'A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq' (I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created), nothing will harm him.' [Sahih Muslim 2708] While the specific dua in the entry is more comprehensive for the context of bad dreams, the general principle of seeking refuge in Allah's perfect words is well-established for protection. The version provided in the entry is a fuller supplication for this specific situation.