This excerpt is taken from the book published by Maktaba Darussalam The Virtues and Benefits of Istighfar and Ta'awwudh.
Ta'awwudh is derived from 'A'udh (ع و ذ). A related word derived from it is Isti'adhah, which is used in Arabic. In Urdu, it is called Ta'awwudh. Linguistically, 'A'udh means to seek refuge with someone while avoiding another. Ta'awwudh means to seek protection from someone. In Shariah, this word is used for seeking Allah's protection from evil deeds, bad circumstances, and evil people.
It was customary in Arab society that when someone sought refuge with another, it was as if he entrusted him with the protection of his life, wealth, honor, and dignity. The one granting refuge would gladly take on this responsibility and fulfill all its requirements.
Thus, the root of seeking refuge (A'udhu) in terms of its meaning and implication generally signifies more than just protection and safeguarding. When a person seeks Allah's refuge from evil matters, bad conditions, and the evil of people, he entrusts his life, wealth, honor, and dignity to Allah. In this way, he becomes completely safe from the evil of bad matters, bad conditions, and bad people.
Allah takes him under His protection and provides complete security. In reality, a person cannot protect himself from the evil of these things on his own strength unless he seeks Allah's refuge and Allah grants him safety. Therefore, it is necessary to seek Allah's refuge to remain safe from these evils.
◈ This is why Allah has commanded to seek His refuge to protect oneself from the devils, He said:
[وَ قُلۡ رَّبِّ اَعُوۡذُ بِکَ مِنۡ ہَمَزٰتِ الشَّیٰطِیۡنِ]،[وَ اَعُوۡذُ بِکَ رَبِّ اَنۡ یَّحۡضُرُوۡنِ]
[And say, "My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils," and "My Lord, I seek refuge in You from their presence near me."]
Reference: Al-Mu’minun: 97-98
◈ Islam has taught us not only to seek Allah's protection from the evil of others' deeds and actions but also to seek Allah's protection from the evil of our own selves and the evil of the deeds and actions done by our own hands. Accordingly, the following words appear in the Sunnah sermon:
[ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا وسيئات أعمالنا]
And we seek Allah's protection from the evil of our own souls and from the evil of our deeds.
Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1105 and Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 1893
◈ These words appear in Sayyid al-Istighfar:
[أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ]
I seek Your protection from the evil of what I have done.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 6306
This prophetic supplication also appears in the hadith:
[اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا عَمِلْتُ وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَا لَمْ أَعْمَلْ]
O Allah! I seek Your protection from the evil of what I have done and from the evil of what I have not done.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2716
Like Istighfar, regarding Ta'awwudh, we will first mention the Quranic Ta'awwudh, then the Prophetic Ta'awwudh.
Sayyiduna Nuh (AS) seeking refuge from unnecessary questioning:
[رَبِّ اِنِّیۡۤ اَعُوۡذُ بِکَ اَنۡ اَسۡـَٔلَکَ مَا لَـیۡسَ لِیۡ بِہٖ عِلۡمٌ ؕ وَ اِلَّا تَغۡفِرۡ لِیۡ وَ تَرۡحَمۡنِیۡۤ اَکُنۡ مِّنَ الۡخٰسِرِیۡنَ]
O my Lord! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from asking You that of which I have no knowledge. And if You do not forgive me and have mercy upon me, I will be among the losers.
Reference: Hud:47
Sayyiduna Yusuf (AS) seeking refuge upon invitation to sin:
[مَعَاذَ اللّٰہِ]
(From this act) I seek refuge in Allah
Reference: Yusuf: 23
Sayyiduna Musa (AS) seeking refuge from the company of the ignorant:
[اَعُوۡذُ بِاللّٰہِ اَنۡ اَکُوۡنَ مِنَ الۡجٰہِلِیۡنَ]
I seek refuge in Allah from being among the ignorant.
Reference: Al-Baqarah: 67
Sayyiduna Musa (AS) seeking refuge from the severe oppression of the oppressors:
[وَ اِنِّیۡ عُذۡتُ بِرَبِّیۡ وَ رَبِّکُمۡ اَنۡ تَرۡجُمُوۡنِ]
And indeed, I have sought refuge in my Lord and your Lord from you lest you stone me.
Reference: Ad-Dukhan: 20
A believer from the family of Pharaoh seeking refuge from Pharaoh’s deceit, trickery, and oppression:
[اِنِّیۡ عُذۡتُ بِرَبِّیۡ وَ رَبِّکُمۡ مِّنۡ کُلِّ مُتَکَبِّرٍ لَّا یُؤۡمِنُ بِیَوۡمِ الۡحِسَابِ]
Indeed, I seek refuge in the Lord of you and me from every arrogant one who does not believe in the Day of Reckoning.
Reference: Al-Mu’min:27
The Protection of Chastity: The Refuge of Sayyida Maryam (peace be upon her):
[اَعُوۡذُ بِالرَّحۡمٰنِ مِنۡکَ اِنۡ کُنۡتَ تَقِیًّا]
I seek refuge in You, O Most Merciful, if you are one who fears.
Reference: Maryam:18
To Protect the Daughter and Her Offspring from Satan: The Refuge of Sayyida Maryam’s (peace be upon her) Mother:
[اِنِّیۡۤ اُعِیۡذُہَا بِکَ وَ ذُرِّیَّتَہَا مِنَ الشَّیۡطٰنِ الرَّجِیۡمِ]
Indeed, I give her and her offspring into Your protection from the rejected Satan.
Reference: Aali Imran:36
The Command to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to Seek Refuge from Satanic Whispers:
[وَ قُلۡ رَّبِّ اَعُوۡذُ بِکَ مِنۡ ہَمَزٰتِ الشَّیٰطِیۡنِ]،[وَ اَعُوۡذُ بِکَ رَبِّ اَنۡ یَّحۡضُرُوۡنِ]
[And say, O my Lord! I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils], [and O my Lord! I seek refuge in You from their presence near me]
Reference: Al-Mu’minun: 97-98
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
[قُلۡ ہُوَ اللّٰہُ اَحَدٌ]،[اَللّٰہُ الصَّمَدُ]،[لَمۡ یَلِدۡ ۬ۙ وَ لَمۡ یُوۡلَدۡ]،[وَ لَمۡ یَکُنۡ لَّہٗ کُفُوًا اَحَدٌ]
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
[قُلۡ اَعُوۡذُ بِرَبِّ الۡفَلَقِ]،[مِنۡ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ]،[وَ مِنۡ شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ اِذَا وَقَبَ]،[ وَ مِنۡ شَرِّ النَّفّٰثٰتِ فِی الۡعُقَدِ]،[وَ مِنۡ شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ اِذَا حَسَدَ]
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
[قُلۡ اَعُوۡذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ]،[مَلِکِ النَّاسِ]،[ اِلٰہِ النَّاسِ]،[مِنۡ شَرِّ الۡوَسۡوَاسِ ۬ۙ الۡخَنَّاسِ]،[الَّذِیۡ یُوَسۡوِسُ فِیۡ صُدُوۡرِ النَّاسِ]،[مِنَ الۡجِنَّۃِ وَ النَّاسِ]
According to the Prophetic Hadith, these three Surahs of the Holy Quran are the most effective and best words of refuge. They protect a person from the evil of everything.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 5082, Sunan An-Nasa’i, Hadith: 5432, 5440, 4533
Numerous supplications for seeking protection from various things have been narrated from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It is not possible to cover all of them here. Several hadith scholars have attempted to compile them under the title Kitab al-Isti'adhah (The Book of Seeking Refuge). Here are some important and essential supplications for seeking protection.
[1] [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.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Hadith:2708
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said: Whoever stops at a place and recites these words, nothing will be able to harm him until he moves from there.
◈ Sayyiduna Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه narrates that a man came to the Prophet’s presence and said: O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Last night I was severely harmed by a scorpion’s sting. The Prophet ﷺ said: If you had recited this (above) supplication, that harm would not have reached you.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2709
[2] [أعوذبكلمات الله التامات التي لا يجاوزهن بر ولا فاجر، من شر ما خلق وذرأ وبرأ ، ومن شر ما ينزل من السماء، ومن شر ما يعرج فيها، ومن شر ما ذرأ في الأرض، ومن شر ما يخرج منها، ومن شر فتن الليل والنهار، ومن شر كل طارق إلا طارقا يطرق بخير يا رحمن!]
I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah, from the evil of that which He has created, spread, and given existence to; and from the evil of that which descends from the sky and ascends therein; and from the evil of that which He has spread in the earth and that which comes out of it; and from the evil of the trials of night and day; and from the evil of every visitor of the night, except one who comes with good, O Most Merciful (the Most Compassionate).
Reference: As-Silsilah As-Saheehah, Hadith: 2995
◈ Some devils living in the forests and mountains came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. One of these devils had a flame of fire with which he wanted to burn the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. When he came near you with the flame, you stepped back. At that moment, Hazrat Jibra'il (Gabriel) عليه السلام came to you and said: "Recite." You ﷺ asked: "What should I recite?" Hazrat Jibra'il عليه السلام told you to recite this (above) supplication. When you ﷺ recited this supplication, the fire of those devils was extinguished. And Allah Almighty thwarted their evil plan.
Reference: Musnad Ahmad: 15461
[3] [اَللّٰھُمَّ اِنِّیْ اَعُوْذُبِكَ مِنَ الْھَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَضَلَعِ الدَّیْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ]
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from distress, difficulty, helplessness, laziness, cowardice, miserliness, the burden of debt, and being overpowered by people.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Ad-Da'awat, Chapter: Seeking refuge from cowardice and laziness, Hadith: 6369
◈ Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه narrates that wherever the Prophet ﷺ was present, I used to serve him, and I often heard him reciting this (above) supplication.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 6363
[4] [اَعُوْذُ بِاللہِ الْعَظِیْمِ وَبِوَجْھِہِ الْكَرِیْمِ وَسُلْطَانِہِ الْقَدِیْمِ مِنَ الشَّیْطَانِ الرَّجِیْمِ]
I seek refuge in Allah, the Mighty, in His Noble Face and His Eternal Sovereignty, from the accursed Satan.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 466
◈ The Prophet ﷺ used to recite this supplication when entering the mosque. He ﷺ said: When a person recites this supplication, Satan says: Today, he is protected from me for the whole day.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 466
[5] [اَللّٰھُمَّ اِنِّیْ اَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ جَھْدِ الْبَلَاءِ وَدَرَكِ الشَّقَاءِ، وَسُوْءِ الْقَضَاءِ وَشَمَاتَةِ الْاَعْدَاءِ]
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from severe poverty and destitution, from a bad fate, and from the joy of enemies.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 6616, and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2707
[6] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنَ الْبُخْلِ وَأَعُوذُبِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَأَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ أَنْ أُرَدَّ إِلَى أَرْذَلِ الْعُمُرِ وَأَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الدُّنْيَا وَعَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ]
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from stinginess, and I seek refuge in You from cowardice, and I seek refuge in You from being returned to the worst part of my life. And I seek refuge in You from the trials of the world and the punishment of the grave.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 6374
◈ Sayyiduna Saad (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Seek refuge through these words because the Noble Prophet ﷺ used to seek (Allah's) refuge with them.
[7] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لَا أَعْلَمُ]
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from associating anything with You knowingly. And I ask You for forgiveness for the mistakes I do not know.
Reference: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad by Bukhari, Hadith: 716
◈ Sayyiduna Miqil bin Yasar رضي الله عنه narrates: that I was present with Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه in the presence of the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ said: Abu Bakr! Shirk comes among you more hidden than the movement of an ant. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه asked: Is there any shirk other than associating partners with Allah Almighty? The Prophet ﷺ said: "By the One in Whose hand is my life! Shirk is more hidden than the movement of an ant. Shall I not teach you something that, when you recite it, all lesser and greater (shirk) will be removed?" Then he taught him the aforementioned supplication.
[8] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لَا يُسْمَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لَا تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ. أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَؤُلَاءِ الْأَرْبَعِ]
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from a heart that does not humble itself, and from a supplication that is not heard, and from a soul that is not satisfied, and from knowledge that is not beneficial. I seek refuge in You from these four.
Reference: Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3482
[9] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْهَرَمِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ]
O Allah! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from becoming helpless, laziness, cowardice, old age, and miserliness, and I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave and the trials of life and death.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 6367, and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2706
[10] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ مُنْكَرَاتِ الْأَخْلَاقِ وَالْأَعْمَالِ وَالْأَهْوَاءِ وَالْأَدْوَاءِ]
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from bad character and deeds, and (evil) desires, and dangerous diseases.
Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3591
[11] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا عَمِلْتُ وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَا لَمْ أَعْمَلْ]
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done and from the evil of what I have not done.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2716
◈ Sayyiduna Farwah bin Nawfal (RA) narrates: That I asked Sayyida Aisha (RA) about a supplication that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to make. She said: You ﷺ used to make this (mentioned) supplication.
[12] اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ التَّرَدِّي وَالْهَدْمِ وَالْغَرَقِ وَالْحَرَقِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ يَتَخَبَّطَنِي الشَّيْطَانُ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَمُوتَ فِي سَبِيلِكَ مُدْبِرًا، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَمُوتَ لَدِيغًا]
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from dying by falling from a height, being crushed under a collapsing building, drowning, and burning in fire. And I seek refuge in You from the matter that at the time of death the devil makes me confused. And I seek refuge in You from dying while turning my back and fleeing during Jihad in the way of Allah. And I seek refuge in You from dying from the bite of a venomous creature.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 1554, and Sunan an-Nasa'i, Hadith: 5533
[13] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَسُوءِ الْعُمُرِ، وَفِتْنَةِ الصَّدْرِ وَعَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ]
O Allah! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from stinginess, cowardice, a bad old age, trials of the heart, and the punishment of the grave.
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i, Hadith: 5483; The essence of the hadith from which this supplication is taken is: The Prophet ﷺ used to seek refuge from five things: stinginess, cowardice, a bad old age, trials of the heart, and the punishment of the grave
[14] [اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ جَبْرَائِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ وَرَبَّ إِسْرَافِيلَ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ حَرِّ النَّارِ وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ]
O Allah! Lord of Jibra'il and Mikail and the Lord of Israfil! I seek Your protection from the heat of the fire (of Hell) and the punishment of the grave.
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i, Hadith: 5521
[15] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ]
O my God! I ask You for beneficial knowledge and seek refuge in You from knowledge that is of no benefit.
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3843; The words of the hadith are: Ask Allah for beneficial knowledge and seek refuge with Allah from knowledge that does not benefit
[16] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ، وَغَلَبَةِ الْعَدُوِّ، وَشَمَاتَةِ الْأَعْدَاءِ]
O my God! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from the burden of debt, the domination of enemies, and the unjust joy of enemies.
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i, Hadith: 5477
[17] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ صَلَاةٍ لَا تَنْفَعُ]
O Allah! I seek Your protection from a prayer that does not benefit.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 1549
[18] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ جَارِ السَّوْءِ، وَمِنْ زَوْجٍ تُشَيِّبُنِي قَبْلَ الْمَشِيْبِ، وَمِنْ وَلَدٍ يَكُونُ عَلَيَّ رَبًّا، وَمِنْ مَالٍ يَكُونُ عَلَيَّ عَذَابًا، وَمِنْ خَلِيلٍ مَاكِرٍ عَيْنُهُ تَرَانِي، وَقَلْبُهُ يَرْعَانِي، إِنْ رَأَى حَسَنَةً دَفَنَهَا، وَإِذَا رَأَى سَيِّئَةً أَذَاعَهَا]
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from a bad neighbor, from a wife who makes me old before old age, from children who become my masters, from wealth that becomes a cause of torment for me, from close friends whose eyes are watching me while their hearts are spying on me; when they see any good in me, they destroy it, and when they see any evil, they spread it.
Reference: Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah, Hadith: 3137
[19] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْفِتَنِ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الدَّجَّالِ]
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the Fire, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, I seek refuge in You from the trials, both apparent and hidden, and I seek refuge in You from the trial of the Dajjal.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2867
[20] [اللَّهُمَّ أَحْيِنِي عَلَى سُنَّةِ نَبِيِّكَ ﷺ وَتَوَفَّنِي عَلَى مِلَّتِهِ، وَأَعِذْنِي مِنْ مُضِلَّاتِ الْفِتَنِ]
O Allah! Keep me alive on the Sunnah of Your Prophet ﷺ and let me die on his community, and protect me from misleading trials.
Reference: Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 95/5; This supplication is attributed to our master Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both. Ibn al-Mulqin has narrated from Al-Dhiya in Al-Badr al-Munir: 309/6 that its chain of narration is sound. Our master Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said that none of you should say: O Allah! I seek refuge from trials, because every one of you is afflicted by trials, for Allah Almighty says: Indeed, your wealth and your children are a trial. Therefore, whoever among you wishes to seek refuge should seek Allah's protection from the misleading trials.
[21] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ النَّارِ، وَعَذَابِ النَّارِ، وَفِتْنَةِ الْقَبْرِ، وَعَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَشَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْغِنَى، وَشَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْفَقْرِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْسِلْ قَلْبِي بِمَاءِ الثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ، وَنَقِّ قَلْبِي مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا نَقَّيْتَ الثَّوْبَ الْأَبْيَضَ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، وَبَاعِدْ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ خَطَايَايَ كَمَا بَاعَدْتَ بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْكَسَلِ وَالْمَأْثَمِ وَالْمَغْرَمِ]
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the trial of the Hellfire and the punishment of the Hellfire, and from the trial of the grave and the punishment of the grave, and from the evil of the trial of wealth and the evil of the trial of poverty. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the evil of the trial of the false Messiah (Dajjal). O Allah! Wash my heart with snow and hail, and cleanse my heart as a white garment is cleansed of dirt. And place a distance between me and my sins as You have placed a distance between the East and the West. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from laziness, sin, and debt.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 6377, and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 589
[22] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْهَرَمِ وَعَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلَاهَا، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لَا تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دَعْوَةٍ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهَا]
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from becoming helpless, lazy, cowardly, miserly, old age, and the punishment of the grave. O my God! Grant my soul its piety and purify it, for You are the best to purify it, for You are its Helper and Master. O Allah! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that is of no benefit, a heart devoid of humility, a worldly greedy self, and a supplication that is not accepted.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2722
[23] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ زَوَالِ نِعْمَتِكَ وَتَحَوُّلِ عَافِيَتِكَ وَفُجَاءَةِ نِقْمَتِكَ وَجَمِيعِ سَخَطِكَ]
O Allah! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from the loss of Your blessings, the withdrawal of Your safety, Your sudden punishment, and from all kinds of Your displeasure.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2739, Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 1545
[24] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ سَمْعِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ بَصَرِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ لِسَانِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ قَلْبِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَنِيِّي]
O my God! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from the evil of my ears, the evil of my eyes, the evil of my tongue, the evil of my heart, and the evil of my semen.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 1551, Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3492, Sunan an-Nasa'i, Hadith: 5446
◈ This prayer is for protection from all kinds of sins and their causes. A person hears bad things through the ear (conspiracies, sounds, etc.), such as backbiting and lying. The eye refers to looking at and reading unlawful and forbidden things. The tongue is involved in disbelief, polytheism, innovation, lying, slander, backbiting, and cursing, etc. The evil of the heart includes hypocrisy, envy, stinginess, greed, and arrogance. The evil of the semen is that a person cannot control their sexual desires, and because of this, they may incline towards impurity, emit semen inappropriately, or produce offspring who become a cause of discord and corruption.
[25][اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا سَأَلَكَ مِنْهُ نَبِيُّكَ مُحَمَّدٌ ﷺ وَنَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا اسْتَعَاذَ مِنْهُ نَبِيُّكَ مُحَمَّدٌ ﷺ، وَأَنْتَ الْمُسْتَعَانُ، وَعَلَيْكَ الْبَلَاغُ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ]
O Allah! I ask You for every good and blessing that Your Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked from You. And I seek refuge in You from everything from which Your Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sought refuge, and You are the One from whom help can be sought. It is Your work to grant us our goals, and there is no power to avoid evil and do good except by the help and support of Allah alone.
Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3521
[26] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنَ الْبَرَصِ وَالْجُذَامِ وَالْجُنُونِ وَمِنْ سَيِّئِ الْأَسْقَامِ]
O Lord! I seek refuge in You from fruitlessness, madness, leprosy, and contagious diseases.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 1554, and Sunan an-Nasa'i, Hadith: 5495
[27] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ، مَا عَلِمْتُ مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ أَعْلَمْ، وَأَعُوذُبِكَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ، مَا عَلِمْتُ مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ أَعْلَمْ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا سَأَلَكَ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ، وَأَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا اسْتَعَاذَ بِكَ مِنْهُ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ، وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ كُلَّ قَضَاءٍ قَضَيْتَهُ لِي خَيْرًا]
O Allah! I ask You for every kind of good, the quick and the delayed, that which I know and that which I do not know. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from every kind of evil, the quick and the delayed, that which I know and that which I do not know. O my Lord! I ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet (Muhammad ﷺ) asked from You, and I seek refuge in You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet (Muhammad ﷺ) sought refuge. O my Lord! I ask You for Paradise and for every word and deed that brings me closer to it, and I seek refuge in You from the Fire and from every word and deed that brings me closer to it. And I ask that whatever decision You make for me, You make it good.
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3846, Musnad Ahmad: 25019, Al-Mustadrak Al-Hakim: 1935
[28] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُوعِ، فَإِنَّهُ بِئْسَ الضَّجِيعُ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخِيَانَةِ، فَإِنَّهَا بِئْسَتِ الْبِطَانَةُ]
O my God! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from hunger, it is a bad companion of the bed, and from betrayal, I seek refuge in You, it is a bad confidant.
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3354, and Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 1547
[29] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْهَرَمِ وَالْقَسْوَةِ وَالْغَفْلَةِ وَالْعَيْلَةِ وَالذِّلَّةِ وَالْمَسْكَنَةِ، وَأَعُوذُبِكَ مِنَ الْفَقْرِ وَالْكُفْرِ وَالْفُسُوقِ وَالشِّقَاقِ وَالنِّفَاقِ وَالسُّمْعَةِ وَالرِّيَاءِ، وَأَعُوذُبِكَ مِنَ الصَّمَمِ وَالْبَكَمِ وَالْجُنُونِ، وَالْجُذَامِ، وَالْبَرَصِ وَسَيِّئِ الْأَسْقَامِ]
O Allah! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from helplessness, laziness, cowardice, stinginess, old age, hardness of heart, negligence, poverty, humiliation, and destitution, and I also seek refuge in You from poverty, disbelief, sin, misfortune, hypocrisy, showiness (seeking fame), and ostentation. Also, I seek refuge in You from muteness, deafness, madness, leprosy, elephantiasis, and the worst diseases.
Reference: Sahih al-Jami', Hadith: 1285, and Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim: 1965
[30] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْفَقْرِ، (وَالْفَاقَةِ) وَالْقِلَّةِ، وَالذِّلَّةِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ أَظْلِمَ أَوْ أَظْلَمَ]
O my God! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from poverty, scarcity, and humiliation, and I also seek refuge in You from oppressing others or being oppressed.
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i, Hadith: 5464, and Sahih al-Jami', Hadith: 1287
[31] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ جَارِ السَّوْءِ فِي دَارِ الْمُقَامَةِ، فَإِنَّ جَارَ الْبَادِيَةِ يَتَحَوَّلُ]
O Lord! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from a permanently residing bad neighbor, for a temporary neighbor sooner or later moves away.
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i, Hadith: 5504, and Al-Adab al-Mufrad, Hadith: 117
[32] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ يَوْمِ السَّوْءِ، وَمِنْ لَيْلَةِ السَّوْءِ، وَمِنْ سَاعَةِ السَّوْءِ، وَمِنْ صَاحِبِ السَّوْءِ، وَمِنْ جَارِ السَّوْءِ، فِي دَارِ الْمُقَامَةِ]
O Allah! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from bad days, bad nights, bad moments, bad companions, and bad neighbors in my home.
Reference: Majma' al-Zawa'id: 144/10, Sahih al-Jami', Hadith: 1299
[33] [اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَأَسْتَجِيرُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ]
O my God! Indeed, I ask You for Paradise and seek Your protection from the fire of Hell. (Three times)
Reference: Jami' al-Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2572, Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 4340, Sunan al-Nasa'i, Hadith: 5523; The Prophet ﷺ said: Whoever asks Allah for Paradise three times, Paradise says: O Allah! Admit him to Paradise. And whoever seeks refuge from the fire of Hell three times, Hell says: O Allah! Protect him from the fire of Hell.
In the previous chapter, general seeking of refuge was mentioned. In this chapter, those specific seekings of refuge are mentioned which are associated with particular reasons.
[1] At the beginning of reciting the Holy Quran, Allah's command is:
[فَاِذَا قَرَاۡتَ الۡقُرۡاٰنَ فَاسۡتَعِذۡ بِاللّٰہِ مِنَ الشَّیۡطٰنِ الرَّجِیۡمِ]
So when you begin to recite the Quran, seek refuge with Allah from the rejected Satan.
Reference: An-Nahl: 98
[2] After reciting the opening supplication (Dua al-Istiftah) in prayer:
The Holy Prophet ﷺ used to recite the following words of seeking refuge (Ta'awwudh) after reciting the opening supplication (Dua al-Istiftah) in prayer:
[أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ السَّمِيعِ الْعَلِيمِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ مِنْ هَمْزِهِ وَنَفْخِهِ وَنَفْثِهِ]
I seek refuge in Allah, the All-Hearing, All-Knowing, from the accursed Satan, from his madness, from his arrogance, and from his evil whispers.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 776
[3] When entering the restroom:
The Prophet of Mercy ﷺ used to recite this supplication before entering the restroom:
[بِسْمِ اللهِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ]
In the name of Allah, O Allah! I seek Your protection from the male and female evil ones.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 142
[4] Upon seeing a bad or frightening dream:
The Holy Prophet ﷺ said: When a person sees a bad dream, he should seek refuge in Allah from the evil of the dream (and Satan) and lightly spit to the left side; then no harm will come to him from the bad dream.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 6986
Therefore, upon seeing a bad dream, recite three times: [أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ] and lightly spit on the left shoulder.
[5] At the time of distress or fear during sleep:
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr رضي الله عنهما says: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to teach this supplication to seek refuge when feeling disturbed in sleep:
[أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ غَضَبِهِ وَعِقَابِهِ وَشَرِّ عِبَادِهِ وَمِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ]
I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah, from His displeasure and His punishment, from the evil of His servants, from the whisperings of the devils (inciting to sins), and from their coming near me (to mislead me).
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 3893
[6] When satanic whispers occur during prayer:
Sayyiduna Uthman bin Abu Al-As رضي الله عنه complained to the Prophet ﷺ that Satan stands between his prayer and recitation trying to spoil his prayer. The Prophet ﷺ said: This is the Satan named ،،خنزب،،. When you feel him, seek refuge in Allah from Satan,
recite [أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ], and lightly spit three times to your left side.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2203
[7] When satanic whispers occur in beliefs:
Satan instills such whispers in the human heart that since Allah created all creatures, then someone must have created Allah as well? The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: When such whispers arise in the heart, recite this prayer: [اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ]
Allah is One. Allah is Self-Sufficient. He did not beget, nor was He begotten. And there is none comparable to Him. Then lightly spit three times to the left side and seek refuge in Allah from the evil of Satan, that is, recite [أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ].
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 4722
[8] At the time of the donkey’s braying:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: When you hear the crowing of a rooster, pray to Allah for its virtue because it has seen an angel. And when you hear the braying of a donkey, seek refuge in Allah from Satan because it sees Satan.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 5102
[9] At the time of dogs barking at night:
Sayyiduna Jabir رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: When you hear the barking of dogs and the crawling of jackals at night, seek refuge in Allah from them, for they see things that you cannot see.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood: 5103
[10] During a storm:
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Do not speak ill of the wind. It is a cause of Allah's mercy. And sometimes it is also a cause of punishment. Therefore, ask Allah for its goodness and seek refuge in Allah from its evil. Hence, during a storm, recite these supplications:
[اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهَا وَأَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا]
O Allah! I ask You for its goodness and seek refuge in You from its evil.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 5097-5099
[اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهَا وَخَيْرَ مَا فِيهَا وَخَيْرَ مَا أُرْسِلَتْ بِهِ وَأَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ مَا فِيهَا وَشَرِّ مَا أُرْسِلَتْ بِهِ]
O Allah! I ask You for its goodness and the goodness of what it was sent with, and I seek refuge in You from its evil and the evil of what is in it and the evil of what it was sent with.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 899
[11] Supplication for entrusting children to Allah's protection:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to seek refuge in Allah for Hasan and Husayn رضي الله عنهما with these words:
[أُعِيذُكُمَا بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لَامَّةٍ]
I seek refuge for both of you in the perfect words of Allah from every devil and poisonous creature and from every evil eye.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 3371
[12] Before approaching the wife:
The Prophet ﷺ said: When any one of you intends to approach his wife, he should recite this supplication:
[بِسْمِ اللهِ اللَّهُمَّ جَنِّبْنَا الشَّيْطَانَ وَجَنِّبِ الشَّيْطَانَ مَا رَزَقْتَنَا]
In the name of Allah, O Allah! Protect us from Satan (the rejected) and protect (the offspring) whom You grant us from Satan.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 6388
[13] When meeting an enemy or a ruler:
When the Prophet ﷺ feared a people, he would recite this supplication:
[اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَجْعَلُكَ فِي نُحُورِهِمْ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شُرُورِهِمْ]
O Allah! We rely on You against them and seek refuge in You from their evil.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 1537
[14] At the time of anger:
In the presence of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, two men had a quarrel, and one of them became so angry that his face turned red. The Prophet ﷺ said that he knew a phrase which, if this man recited, his anger would be dispelled. That phrase is: [أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ]
(Meaning) I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 6115
[15] When buying a mount or a slave girl and upon meeting the wife after marriage:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that when any of you marries or buys a maid (slave girl), he should recite this supplication:
[اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهَا وَخَيْرَ مَا جَبَلْتَهَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ مَا جَبَلْتَهَا عَلَيْهِ]
O Allah! I ask You for the good of her and the good of what You have created her for, and I seek refuge in You from her evil and the evil of what You have created her for.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 2160
[16] When wearing new clothes:
Sayyiduna Abu Saeed رضي الله عنه narrates that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ wore new clothes, he would recite this supplication:
[اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ كَسَوْتَنِيهِ أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِهِ وَخَيْرِ مَا صُنِعَ لَهُ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهِ وَشَرِّ مَا صُنِعَ لَهُ]
O Allah! All praise is for You alone, You have clothed me with this, and I ask You for its goodness and the goodness of what it was made for, and I seek refuge in You from its evil and the evil of what it was made for.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 4020
[17] When leaving the house:
Sayyida Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها says that whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would leave my house, he would face the sky and say this supplication:
[اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَضِلَّ، أَوْ أَضَلَّ، أَوْ أَزِلَّ، أَوْ أَزَلَّ، أَوْ أَظْلِمَ، أَوْ أُظْلَمَ، أَوْ أَجْهَلَ، أَوْ يُجْهَلَ عَلَيَّ]
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from being led astray or being led astray, from slipping or being caused to slip, from doing oppression or being oppressed, from behaving ignorantly towards someone or being treated ignorantly.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 5094
[18] Before turning the Salam in the final Tashahhud in prayer:
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه says that the Prophet ﷺ said: When any of you recites Tashahhud, he should seek Allah's refuge from four things:
[اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَأَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ وَأَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنَ الْمَأْثَمِ وَالْمَغْرَمِ]
O Allah! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and I seek refuge in You from the trial of the False Messiah (Dajjal), and I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death. O Allah! Surely, I seek refuge in You from sin and debt.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 832
In some narrations, five things are mentioned. Therefore, for greater benefit, we have mentioned the supplication seeking refuge from five things.
