In Islam duas or supplications play a vital role in seeking protection from harm. They serve as a medium for Muslims to seek refuge in Allah and plead for His divine protection. Here is an important dua for protection from harm.
Dua for Protection from Harm: Seeking Refuge in Allah’s Divine Guard
In the life of a believer, every moment can be sanctified through remembrance of Allah ﷻ. Among the most powerful and personal of these acts is duʿāʾ (supplication) — a sincere plea from the heart that transcends circumstance, language, and time. When we fear harm, be it physical, emotional, or spiritual, we are taught to turn to the One who is the Ultimate Protector: Allah ﷻ.
From the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah, the Prophet ﷺ provided us with profound words of protection — powerful duas to shield us from harm, hardship, enemies, unseen evils, and our own inner struggles.
Why We Seek Protection Through Duʿāʾ
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever recites this supplication three times in the morning and evening, nothing will harm him.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud 5088, graded ṣaḥīḥ)
Dua is not merely a ritual — it is a fortress for the believer. Through it, we entrust our affairs to the One who knows all, sees all, and controls all.
Powerful Duas for Protection from Harm
1. The Comprehensive Morning & Evening Protection
بِسْمِ اللهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
Transliteration: Bismillāhi alladhī lā yaḍurru maʿa ismihi shayʾun fī al-arḍi wa lā fī as-samāʾ, wa huwa as-Samīʿu al-ʿAlīm
Translation: “In the Name of Allah with Whose name nothing in the earth or the heaven can cause harm, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”
Source: Sunan Abi Dawud (5088), ṣaḥīḥ — Recite three times in the morning and evening.
2. Dua for Protection from Enemies
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنَّا نَجْعَلُكَ فِي نُحُوْرِهِمْ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شُرُورِهِمْ
Transliteration: Allāhumma innā najʿaluk fī nuḥūrihim wa naʿūdhu bika min shurūrihim
Translation: “O Allah, we place You before them and we seek refuge in You from their evil.”
Source: Reported by Ibn al-Sunni and others; authenticated by scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Qayyim.
3. Protection with the Perfect Words of Allah
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
Transliteration: Aʿūdhu bi-kalimāti-llāhi at-tāmmāti min sharri mā khalaq
Translation: “I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.”
Source: Sahih Muslim (2708) — The Prophet ﷺ recommended saying this when entering any new place.
4. Prophet Ayyub’s (AS) Supplication in Affliction
In moments of deep hardship, the story of Prophet Ayyub (AS) reminds us of steadfastness and sincere duʿāʾ.
﴿ وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ ٱلضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ ٱلرَّاحِمِينَ ﴾
Transliteration: Wa Ayyūba idh nādā rabbahu annī massaniya aḍ-ḍurru wa anta arḥamu ar-rāḥimīn
Translation: “And [mention] Ayyub, when he called to his Lord, ‘Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.'”
Source: Qur’an – Surah Al-Anbiya (21:83)
Allah responded:
﴿ فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِ مِن ضُرٍّ ﴾
“So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity…”
Surah Al-Anbiya (21:84)
This is a divine lesson in patience and the immense power of turning to Allah during times of trial.
5. Dua for Protection from Calamities and Evil Outcomes
اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِيهِمْ بِمَا شِئْتَ
Transliteration: Allāhumma ikfinīhim bimā shiʾta
Translation: “O Allah, suffice me against them however You will.”
Source: Sahih Muslim – Often recited by the Prophet ﷺ against enemies.
Reflection: The Role of Duʿāʾ in Protection
These prophetic supplications are not mere words — they are spiritual shields. When uttered with sincerity, they become a manifestation of tawakkul (reliance on Allah). Through them, we affirm our utter dependence on our Creator and Renewer of affairs.
Let us remember that:
“Indeed, Allah defends those who have believed.”
Surah Al-Hajj (22:38)
And that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Supplication is the weapon of the believer, the pillar of the religion, and the light of the heavens and the earth.”
(Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak – Hasan)
How to Benefit from These Duas
- 🌙 Recite them regularly in the morning, evening, before sleep, and when fearful.
- 🕌 Teach them to children and loved ones.
- 💭 Reflect upon their meanings and internalize the tawakkul they inspire.
- ✨ Believe that Allah is As-Samīʿ (The All-Hearing), Al-Ḥafīẓ (The Protector), and Al-Mujīb (The Responsive).
Additional Measures
Below are additional measures from the Qur’an and Sunnah that reinforce divine protection in our lives:
1. Reciting Ayat al-Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255)
﴿ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ ﴾
Translation: “Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence…”
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255)
🔹 Protection Benefit:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after every obligatory prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death.”
— Sahih an-Nasa’i (9965)
“Whoever recites it at night before sleeping, Allah will appoint a guardian over him and Satan will not approach him until morning.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari
📖 2. Reciting the Last Two Ayat of Surah Al-Baqarah
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:285–286)
🔹 Protection Benefit:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari (5009), Sahih Muslim (2714)
These verses protect from calamities, Shayṭān, and any harm throughout the night.
3. Morning and Evening Adhkār (Daily Remembrances)
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized remembering Allah in the morning and evening, through specific adhkār that safeguard against:
- Shayṭān
- Calamities
- Sorrow and anxiety
- Physical harm
Example:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَصْبَحْتُ أُشْهِدُكَ، وَأُشْهِدُ حَمَلَةَ عَرْشِكَ…
Translation: “O Allah, I begin the morning by calling You to witness, and the bearers of Your Throne… that You are Allah, none has the right to be worshipped but You…”
— Ahmad, Abu Dawud, graded ḥasan
See: Hisnul Muslim (Fortress of the Muslim) for full text.
4. Surah Al-Falaq and Surah an-Nās
These two chapters are known as Al-Mu‘awwidhatayn — the chapters of seeking refuge.
“Recite Surah al-Falaq and an-Nās three times in the morning and evening. They will protect you from all harm.”
— Abu Dawud (5082), At-Tirmidhi (3575), Sahih
These short surahs are a shield against:
- Evil eye (ʿayn)
- Envy (ḥasad)
- Magic (siḥr)
- Whisperings of Shayṭān
5. Regular Cupping (Ḥijāmah) for Physical Wellbeing
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Indeed, the best of remedies you have is cupping (ḥijāmah)…”
— Sahih al-Bukhari (5696), Sahih Muslim (2205)
While primarily a health practice, it also helps in removing spiritual ailments, such as siḥr (magic) or ayn (evil eye), when done with faith and duʿāʾ.
6. Avoiding Forbidden Superstitions and Practices
Protection comes not only by doing the right things, but also by avoiding the wrong ones.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“He is not of us who sees evil omens or has them seen for him…”
— Musnad Ahmad (2/220)
Avoid talismans, charms, or calling upon jinn or saints. Tawḥīd (pure monotheism) is the greatest protection.
7. Seeking Forgiveness (Istighfār) Regularly
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever constantly seeks forgiveness, Allah will make for him a way out from every hardship, a relief from every anxiety, and will provide for him from where he does not expect.”
— Sunan Abu Dawud (1518)
Daily istighfār not only wipes sins but opens doors to divine protection.
8. Giving Sadaqah (Charity)
“Charity extinguishes sin just as water extinguishes fire.”
— Tirmidhi (614), Sahih
“Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.”
— Al-Tirmidhi (589), ḥasan
Sadaqah is a shield from misfortune and illness. Even a small act, like giving food or helping someone, can repel harm by Allah’s will.
9. Relying Upon Allah (Tawakkul)
“And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him.”
— Surah At-Talaq (65:3)
Tawakkul is one of the most powerful spiritual defences. Trusting Allah brings peace, prevents panic, and wards off what is harmful.
10. Prayers for Protection When Leaving the Home
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ
“In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no power nor might except with Allah.”
Source: Abu Dawud (5095) — Whoever says this when leaving their home, it is said: “You are guided, protected, and defended.”
Protection from harm is not limited to duas alone, but it includes:
- Guarding your heart with trust in Allah
- Guarding your tongue with remembrance
- Guarding your home with Qur’an
- Guarding your actions with obedience
- Guarding your wealth with charity
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرٌ حَافِظًا ﴾
“And Allah is the best of protectors.”
— Surah Yusuf (12:64)
In Islam, protection from harm is both a spiritual and practical pursuit, guided by the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Alongside duʿāʾ, the Qur’an and authentic Hadiths offer a comprehensive set of teachings and measures a Muslim can take to safeguard oneself from physical, spiritual, and emotional harm.
Closing Duʿāʾ
اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنَا بِحِفْظِكَ، وَاكْفِنَا شَرَّ مَا خَلَقْتَ، وَاجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ عَلَيْكَ
Transliteration: Allāhumma iḥfaẓnā bi-ḥifẓik, wa ikfinā sharra mā khalaqt, wajʿalnā min al-mutawakkilīn ʿalayk
Translation: “O Allah, protect us with Your protection, suffice us from the evil You created, and make us among those who place their trust in You.”
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