أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.
A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq
When to Read
This powerful invocation is a general plea for protection, highly recommended for any time you seek refuge from harm, especially when you feel vulnerable or are in a new environment. During fasting, particularly in Ramadan, we are striving for a deeper connection with Allah and are actively resisting worldly temptations. This state of heightened devotion also means we are spiritually more exposed to the whispers of Shaytan and other forms of evil. Reciting this dua can serve as a spiritual shield throughout your fasting day, safeguarding you from harmful thoughts, ill intentions, bad deeds, and external evils. It can be recited at any point during your fast, especially after Fajr and before Maghrib, or whenever you feel the need for Allah's protection to maintain the purity and integrity of your fast.
How to Read
Recite this dua with full sincerity and a present heart, reflecting on its profound meaning. Understand that you are seeking refuge in the *perfect words* of Allah, affirming His absolute power and your complete reliance on Him. While the hadith indicates saying it once, many scholars suggest reciting it three times for added emphasis and blessings. You can recite it silently or audibly, individually.
Virtues & Benefits
The primary benefit of this dua is clear: comprehensive protection from any harm. As the Prophet ﷺ taught, whoever recites this dua, 'nothing will harm him until he departs from that place.' This protection extends to all forms of evil, including physical dangers, spiritual afflictions, the evil eye, the influence of jinn, and the insidious whispers of Shaytan. For a fasting person, this translates into a vital spiritual defense that helps preserve the sanctity of their fast from anything that might diminish its reward or break its spiritual essence. It fosters **tawakkul** (complete reliance on Allah) and **yaqeen** (certainty in Allah's protective power), allowing you to focus on your worship and gain the full blessings of your fast, undisturbed by inner or outer evils.
Source & Authentication
Khawlah bint Hakim As-Sulamiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: "Whoever stops at a place and then says, 'I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created,' nothing will harm him until he departs from that place." > **Arabic:** خَوْلَةَ بِنْتَ حَكِيمٍ السُّلَمِيَّةَ، تَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " مَنْ نَزَلَ مَنْزِلاً ثُمَّ قَالَ أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ لَمْ يَضُرَّهُ شَىْءٌ حَتَّى يَرْتَحِلَ مِنْ مَنْزِلِهِ ذَلِكَ " > — Sahih Muslim 2708a