• 🌟 Support the Mission of Spreading Authentic Islamic Knowledge 🌟

    Tohed.com is dedicated to sharing the pure teachings of Islam based on the Qur’an & Sunnah.

    📦 Your donation = Sadaqah Jariyah!

    “The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if small.” – Bukhari

Supplication for Protection from Evil Traits, Actions, Desires, and Diseases

Source: Sharh Kitab al-Jamiʿ from Bulugh al-Maram by Ibn Hajar al-ʿAsqalani
Translation: Hafiz ʿAbd al-Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi

📜 Hadith Reference:


وعن قطبة بن مالك رضى الله عنه قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم يقول: ‏‏‏‏اللهم جنبني منكرات الاخلاق والاعمال والاهواء والادواء ‏‏‏‏
[أخرجه الترمذي وصححه الحاكم واللفظ له.]


Narrated by Qutbah ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to say:
“O Allah! Keep me away from evil traits, evil actions, evil desires, and evil diseases.”
(This was narrated by al-Tirmidhi and authenticated by al-Hakim, and these are his words.)

📚 Authentication of the Hadith:

  • Sahih: [Tirmidhi 3591], [Hakim 532]
  • Al-Albani also graded it Sahih — see: Sahih al-Tirmidhi 2840
📘 Linguistic Clarifications:

  • جَنِّبْ — From the Tafʿīl form; the root meaning is “to keep away from”.
  • أَخْلَاقٌ — Plural of Khuluq (character/trait).
  • أَهْوَاء — Plural of Hawā (desire).
  • أَدْوَاء — Plural of Dā’ (disease).

✦ Key Insights and Explanations:​


① What is meant by evil traits, actions, desires, and diseases?


Evil Traits (أخلاق):

These are habits that become deeply ingrained in a person, resembling innate tendencies. A poet says:


كَذَاكَ أَدَّبْتُ حَتَّى صَارَ مِنْ خُلُقِي ... إِنِّي وَجَدْتُ مِلَاكَ الشِّيْمَةِ الْأُدَبَا
“Thus was I disciplined until it became part of my character. Indeed, I found that the root of all virtues is proper manners.”



Evil traits are those considered reprehensible by the Shari‘ah, sound human intellect, and natural disposition, such as:

  • Envy (حسد)
  • Malice (کینہ)
  • Lying (جھوٹ)
  • Betrayal (خیانت)
  • Deception (دھوکہ)
  • Hard-heartedness (سنگدلی)
  • Stinginess (بخل)
  • Cowardice (بزدلی)
  • Impatience (بے صبری)

Good traits, on the other hand, include:

  • Forbearance (بردباری)
  • Forgiveness (عفو)
  • Generosity (سخاوت)
  • Patience (صبر)
  • Compassion (رحم)
  • Helping others (لوگوں کے کام آنا)
  • Altruism (احسان)

The Prophet ﷺ sought refuge from evil traits and prayed for noble character. One of his supplications in the opening of prayer was:


واهدني لاحسن الاخلاق لا يهدي لا حسنها الا انت واصرف عني سيئها لا يصرف عني سيئها الا انت


“Guide me to the best of character, for none can guide to the best of it but You; and turn away from me its evil, for none can turn it away but You.”

② Evil Actions (أعمال):
These are deeds declared evil by the Shari‘ah and recognized as such by a sound human nature, such as:

  • Unjust killing (قتل ناحق)
  • Adultery (زنا)
  • Theft (چوری)
  • Slander and false accusations (بہتان)

③ Evil Desires (أهواء):
These are destructive inclinations that, if pursued, can lead to ruin in both this world and the Hereafter, such as:

  • Following base desires over divine guidance
  • Pursuing illicit temptations
  • Being driven by whims contrary to truth and wisdom

④ Evil Diseases (أدواء):
These are diseases that cause mental or physical impairment, and may lead others to avoid or be repelled by the afflicted. Examples include:

  • Leprosy (جذام)
  • Vitiligo (برص)
  • Paralysis (فالج)
  • Insanity or madness (جنون)
  • Obsessive love or passion (عشق)

These illnesses can lead to isolation, helplessness, and loss of social interaction, and thus the Prophet ﷺ sought protection from them.
 
Back
Top