اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَوَارِ الْقُبُورِ وَمِنْ شَرِّ الشَّيْطَانِ وَعُقَدِهِ وَسَلاَسِلِهِ وَمِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ دَابَّةٍ أَنْتَ آخِذٌ بِنَاصِيَتِهَا إِنَّ رَبِّي عَلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the visitors of graves, and from the evil of the devil, his snares and his chains, and from the evil of my own soul, and from the evil of every moving creature which You seize by its forelock. Verily my Lord is on the right path.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min zawar-il-quboor wa min shar-ish-shaytani wa 'uqadihi wa salaasilihi wa min sharri nafsi wa min sharri kulli dabbatin anta akhidun bi-nasiyatiha. Inna Rabbi 'ala siratin mustaqeem.
When to Read
This comprehensive dua, which includes seeking refuge from the evil of the devil and one's own soul, is particularly relevant during fasting. Fasting strengthens our resolve, but it also sometimes amplifies our internal struggles and can make us more susceptible to whispers of doubt. Reciting this dua before or during your fast, especially when you feel tempted by negative thoughts or feel your resolve weakening, can be a powerful shield. Consider making it part of your morning routine before Suhoor or whenever you notice these whispers arising.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and full conviction in Allah's power to protect you. Raise your hands as you supplicate, just as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would do when seeking refuge. Visualize Allah's protection surrounding you as you utter the words. Remember that the most effective duas are those made with a present heart, fully aware of who you are calling upon and the vastness of His mercy and power.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates a broad range of seeking refuge. By specifically mentioning the devil ('shaytan'), his snares (''uqadihi'), and chains ('salaasilihi'), it directly addresses the external forces that try to mislead us, especially during a time of spiritual focus like Ramadan. Seeking refuge from the 'evil of my own soul' (sharri nafsi) is crucial because often our own desires and weaknesses are exploited by Shaytan. The mention of 'every moving creature' highlights Allah's complete dominion and our utter reliance on Him for safety. The final affirmation, 'Verily my Lord is on the right path,' reinforces our faith in Allah's guidance and justice.
Source & Authentication
Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to teach them this invocation as he used to teach them a chapter of the Qur'an: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min zawar-il-quboor wa min shar-ish-Shaytan wa 'uqadihi wa salaasilihi wa min sharri nafsi wa min sharri kulli dabbatin anta akhidun bi-nasiyatiha. Inna Rabbi 'ala siratin mustaqeem.' Translation: 'O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the visitors of graves, and from the evil of the devil, his snares and his chains, and from the evil of my own soul, and from the evil of every moving creature which You seize by its forelock. Verily my Lord is on the right path.' (Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 5, Hadith 1550)