اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَوَالِ نِعْمَتِكَ، وَتَحَوُّلِ عَافِيَتِكَ، وَفَجْأَةِ نِقْمَتِكَ، وَجَمِيعِ سَخَطِكَ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ.
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the cessation of Your blessings, the reversal of Your protection, the suddenness of Your punishment, and all that You dislike. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and stinginess, and from the overwhelming of debt and the subjugation of men.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min zawali ni'matik, wa tahawwuli 'afiyatik, wa fuja'ati niqmatik, wa jami'i sakhatik. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazani, wa a'udhu bika minal-'ajzi wal-kasali, wa a'udhu bika minal-jubni wal-bukhli, wa a'udhu bika min ghalabatid-dayni wa qahrir-rijal.
When to Read
This comprehensive dua is particularly relevant when we feel we have fallen short, especially concerning sins of the eyes. It's a prayer for protection against falling into temptation, for strength to avert our gaze from what is impermissible, and for refuge from the consequences of such actions. We can make this dua regularly, especially after Fajr prayer, or at any time we feel a need to renew our commitment to guarding our sight and seeking Allah's protection.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a sincere intention to guard your eyes. Raise your hands in supplication as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us. Focus on the meaning of each phrase, understanding that you are seeking refuge from specific ills and asking Allah for His divine protection. It is best recited in Arabic, but if you are still learning, focus on the translation and meaning with conviction.
Virtues & Benefits
While this specific dua doesn't directly mention 'sins of the eyes' by name, it encompasses a powerful plea for protection against general spiritual harm and misguidance. By seeking refuge from 'all that You dislike,' we include the transgression of gazing impermissibly. This dua is a shield against succumbing to desires that can lead to greater sins. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this dua to Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) as a means to seek protection against all harms, making it a cornerstone for safeguarding oneself, including one's vision.
Source & Authentication
‘Amr bin Al-Harith reported: I did not leave behind anything after the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) greater than this sentence: ‘Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min zawali ni’matik, wa tahawwuli ‘afiyatik, wa fuja’ati niqmatik, wa jami’i sakhatik. Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazani, wa a’udhu bika minal-‘ajzi wal-kasali, wa a’udhu bika minal-jubni wal-bukhli, wa a’udhu bika min ghalabatid-dayni wa qahrir-rijal.’ (Sahih Muslim 2710). The version in Sahih al-Bukhari states: Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: 'No one is afflicted with worry or grief and says: 'Allahumma inni 'abduka wa-bnu 'abdika wa-bnu amatika, natiyati bi-yadika, madin fiyya hukmuka, 'adlun fiyya qada'uka, as'aluka bikulli-smin huwa laka, sammayta bihi nafsaka, aw 'allamtahu ahadan min khalqika, aw anzaltahu fi kitabi-ka, aw ista'tharta bihi fi 'ilm-il-ghaybi 'indaka, an taj'ala-l-Qur'ana rabi'a qalbi wa nura sadri wa jila'a huzni wa dhahaba hammi (O Allah, I am Your servant, son of Your servant, son of Your maidservant; my forelock is in Your hand; Your decree concerning me prevails; Your judgment over me is just; I beseech You by every name that You have called Yourself, or have taught to anyone of Your creation, or have revealed in Your Book, or have preserved in the knowledge of the unseen with You, that You make the Qur'an the delight of my heart, the light of my breast, the banisher of my grief, and the remover of my worries).' except that Allah will remove his worry and grief and replace them with joy.' Abu Huraira added: 'We said: 'O Allah's Messenger, should we not learn these words?' He replied: 'Certainly; everyone who hears them should learn them.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6346). The dua mentioned in the primary section is indeed a very potent general supplication taught by the Prophet ﷺ, and its inclusion here serves to cover a broader spectrum of seeking Allah's protection, which implicitly includes guarding ourselves from sins of the eyes.