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.
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 comprehensive protection dua. We can make it part of our daily supplications, perhaps after our obligatory prayers, or whenever we feel a need for strong protection against sins that stem from our senses and internal states. Given its mention of the tongue, it’s particularly relevant when navigating conversations or when seeking to guard ourselves against engaging in or being affected by backbiting and gossip.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and conviction, focusing on each part of the supplication. Understand that 'evil of the tongue' encompasses harmful speech like backbiting, slander, lying, and harsh words. The Prophet ﷺ himself taught us this profound dua, indicating its importance in seeking Allah's protection over our faculties and intentions. Imagine Allah hearing your plea as you utter these words.
Virtues & Benefits
This supplication, taught by our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, is a powerful shield against various forms of harm, both internal and external. By seeking refuge in Allah from the 'evil of the tongue,' we are directly asking for protection from engaging in or falling victim to backbiting (ghibah) and slander (buhtan). Backbiting is described by the Prophet ﷺ as worse than adultery, as it can destroy relationships and communities (Sahih al-Bukhari 4880, Muslim 2589). Protecting our tongue is safeguarding our deen and our brotherhood/sisterhood. This dua also extends to protecting our hearing (from listening to sin), sight (from looking at what is forbidden), heart (from harboring ill intentions), and private parts (from unlawful acts), making it a holistic safeguard.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr: The Prophet ﷺ used to say when he was near Marwa: 'There is no god but Allah alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and to Him belongs all praise. He is Able to do all things. No god but Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, assisted His slave, and defeated the confederates alone.' He would say this three times, and three times he would say: 'The heavens and the earth belong to Allah. No god but Allah. Allah is the Greatest. Glory be to Allah. Great is praise to Allah. There is no god but Allah.' He would say: 'O Allah, forgive my sins, and my deviating attempts, and my deviations, and what my heart conceals, and what my heart has known.' He would seek refuge from the wind, and from the heat, and from the thunder, and from the lightning, and from the punishment of the grave. He would seek refuge in Allah from the evil of this world and the evil of the Hereafter. He would say: '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.' (Sunan Abu Dawud 1550).