أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ غَضَبِهِ وَعِقَابِهِ وَشَرِّ عِبَادِهِ وَمِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ
I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from His wrath and His punishment, from the evil of His servants, and from the whisperings of the devils and from their presence.
A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min ghadabihi wa 'iqabihi, wa sharri 'ibadihi, wa min hamazatish-shayatin, wa an yahdurun.
When to Read
This profound supplication is specifically taught by the Prophet ﷺ to be recited when one feels **frightened or disturbed during sleep**. It's the perfect response upon waking from a disturbing dream, experiencing night terrors, or any sense of unease in the night. Many also find comfort in reciting it generally before sleeping as a preventative measure, invoking Allah's protection throughout the night.
How to Read
Recite these powerful words with **sincerity and conviction**, trusting fully in Allah's power to protect you from all harm, seen and unseen. The companion Abdullah ibn 'Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) would teach this dua to his children who had reached puberty, and for those younger, he would write it down and hang it around their necks. This highlights the importance of internalizing its meaning and seeking refuge in Allah's perfect words.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua invokes the **perfect words of Allah** as an unbreakable shield against His wrath and punishment, the malice of creation, and most crucially, the **whisperings and presence of the Shayatin** (devils), who are often the source of terrifying dreams and nocturnal disturbances. It grants profound peace of mind, dispels fear, and assures divine protection, aligning our hearts with Allah's omnipotence and refuge.
Source & Authentication
Narrated 'Amr bin Shu'aib, from his father, from his grandfather: That Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: "When one of you is frightened in sleep, let him say: 'A'udhu Bikalimatillahit-lammah Min Ghadabihi Wa 'Iqabihi, Wa Sharri 'Ibadihi, Wa Min Hamazatish-Shayatin, Wa An Yahdurun (I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from His wrath and His punishment, from the evil of His servants, and from the whisperings of the devils and from their presence)." He said: "And 'Abdullah bin 'Amr used to teach them to those of his children who had reached puberty, and whoever among them had not, he would write it down on a piece of paper and hang it around his neck."