اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَلَّاتِ الرِّجَالِ وَمِنْ مُنْكَرَاتِ الأَخْلاقِ وَالْأَهْوَاءِ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the slips of men and from evil character and desires.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min zallatil-rijali wa min munkaratil-akhlaqi wal-ahwa'i.
When to Read
Recite this dua immediately after realizing you have fallen into temptation or sin. It's a powerful plea for protection and purification before the act fully takes root or leads to further deviation. Keep it in your heart and on your tongue whenever you feel the stirrings of temptation.
How to Read
This is a comprehensive supplication. Say it with sincerity and a heartfelt desire to turn back to Allah. Understand that seeking refuge in Allah is the first step towards resisting temptation and repenting from it. Ensure your heart is present and focused on the meaning of the words.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua offers several profound benefits. Firstly, it's a direct acknowledgment of human weakness and the ever-present struggle against temptation. By seeking refuge in Allah, you are actively choosing His protection over the allure of sin. Secondly, it addresses both external 'slips of men' (which can include the influence of others or societal pressures) and internal 'evil character and desires.' This shows a holistic approach to safeguarding oneself. It helps in cleansing not just the act itself, but the underlying inclinations that led to it, paving the way for genuine repentance and the acceptance of deeds. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us to seek refuge from many evils, and this dua specifically targets the roots of temptation.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abdullah: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to supplicate: 'Allahumma inni as'alukal-huda wat-tuqa wal-'afafa wal-ghina' (O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and self-sufficiency). And he used to seek refuge in Allah from the evil of the day and the evil of the night, and from going astray or being led astray, or slipping or being caused to slip, or being wronged or being treated unjustly, or being guilty of an error or sin, or being ignorant or being subjected to ignorance. And he used to supplicate: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min zallatil-rijal wa min munkaratil-akhlaqi wal-ahwa'i' (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the slips of men and from evil character and desires).