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 desires/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 dua is particularly potent during Ramadan, as the fasting state requires immense self-restraint. Recite it at the start of your day, before engaging in activities that might expose you to gossip, or whenever you feel tempted to engage in or listen to backbiting. It's also beneficial to make it a habit during the entire month to purify your spiritual state.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and conviction. Visualize the areas of your body and heart mentioned in the dua as shields against sin. Understand that fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drink, but also from harmful speech and thoughts. Repeat it regularly, especially in the quiet moments before dawn or after prayers.
Virtues & Benefits
Fasting is a spiritual detox, and this dua complements that by seeking protection from specific sins that can negate the fast's blessings. Backbiting (Gheebah) and gossip are severe sins in Islam, often likened to eating the flesh of one's dead brother (Quran 49:12). This dua helps safeguard your fast from being rendered ineffective by such harmful actions. It purifies your senses and heart, aligning your physical fast with your spiritual intention.
Source & Authentication
A man asked the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about the major sins. He said: "To associate partners with Allah, to disobey parents, to kill a soul, and to bear false witness." Then he said: "Should I not tell you of the most major of them?" He said: "Yes." He said: "To associate partners with Allah, to disobey parents, to bear false witness..." And he was reclining, so he sat up and said: "And bearing false witness, and lying, and the testimony of a sorcerer, and the oath of falsehood. Indeed, Allah has made it unlawful for you to disobey your parents, to bury your daughters alive, to deprive others of their rights, to demand what is not yours, and He has forbidden you backbiting and excessive talking." A man asked: "O Messenger of Allah, is it permissible for me to say about my brother what he says about me?" He said: "What you say about him is backbiting, and what he says about you is backbiting." He then said: "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/semen." (This part is from Sunan Abi Dawud and is a separate supplication often associated with seeking overall protection).