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
When you encounter strong, unpleasant, or even overwhelming floral scents that cause discomfort or unease. This can happen when walking through gardens, near certain plants in bloom, or even when strong perfumes are present.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely, with the intention of seeking Allah's protection from the potential harm or discomfort caused by the scent. It's a comprehensive supplication that covers seeking refuge from all creation's evil, which can certainly encompass overwhelming natural phenomena like strong smells. Say it quietly to yourself as you pass by or encounter the source of the scent.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is a profound expression of reliance on Allah (SWT). By seeking refuge in His perfect words, we acknowledge His ultimate power over all creation and His ability to protect us from any perceived or actual harm. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this comprehensive supplication as a general means of seeking protection from the evils of His creation, which inherently includes natural elements that might cause distress.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Huraira: A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "O Allah's Messenger! I have been afflicted by a thorn from Zaqqum tree which caused me pain, and I have no food except Zaqqum." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "(Indeed) Zaqqum is food for the one who eats it." Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: "Seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the Hellfire and from the evil of the Day of Spending." A man asked: "O Allah's Messenger! What is the Day of Spending?" He said, "It is the Day when Allah will spend (bestow upon whomever He wills) and be spent upon (i.e. need to spend)." Then the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the Fire and from the torment of the grave." Then he said: "Seek refuge in Allah from the trial of the Dajjal and the trial of women." Then he said: "Seek refuge in Allah from the trial of life and the trial of death." Then he said: "O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the evil of my hearing and the evil of my sight and the evil of my tongue and the evil of my heart and the evil of my desires." Then he said: "Seek refuge in Allah from the evil of what I do and the evil of what I do not do." Then he said: "Seek refuge in Allah from the evil of the entering and the evil of the going out." Then he said: "Seek refuge in Allah from the evil of the Dajjal." Then he said: "Seek refuge in Allah from the trial of the Fire and the punishment of the Fire." Then he said: "Seek refuge in Allah from the evil of the companions of the Day of Delight and the evil of the companions of the Day of Spending." Then he said: "Seek refuge in Allah from the evil of the worldly life and the evil of the Hereafter." Then he said: "O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the evil of the Dajjal." The narrator then said, "The Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach his companions to seek refuge in Allah from the torment of the grave and say: 'Seek refuge in Allah from the torment of the Fire.' And he used to say: 'O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the torment of the grave.' And he used to say: 'O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the trial of the Dajjal.' And he used to say: 'O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the trial of life and the trial of death.'" The narrator then said: "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: 'When any of you wakes up in the morning, he should say: 'O Allah! I ask You for the best in this Day and the best that comes after it. I seek refuge in You from the evil of this Day and the evil that comes after it. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from laziness and evil old age. I seek refuge in You from the torment in the Fire and the torment in the grave.'" He also said: "When you go to bed, say: 'O Allah! I surrender myself to You, and turn my face to You, and commit my affairs to You, and seek refuge in You for the sake of Your pleasure, and take refuge in You from evil and from the wicked.'" He also said: "If a slave of Allah says: 'Glory be to Allah and His praise,' a palm tree is planted for him in Paradise." The narrator said: "The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Seek refuge in Allah from the evil of the Dajjal.'" He said: "I seek refuge in Allah from the evil of the Dajjal." He also said: "When any of you walks in the desert and the sky is clear, and the sun is strong, he should say: 'There is no god but Allah. O Allah! I ask You for the goodness of this wind and I seek refuge in You from the evil of this wind and the evil of what is in it.'" He also said: "When any of you hears the thunder, he should say: 'Glory be to Allah, and all praise is due to Him, from the like of His thunder.'" He also said: "When any of you sees the lightning, he should say: 'O Allah! Do not kill us with Your wrath and do not destroy us with Your punishment, and protect us before it comes.'" And he also said: "Seek refuge in Allah from the evil of what He has created." He repeated this thrice. (This last sentence is the relevant part of the hadith for this specific dua, found in Sahih Muslim 2708).