Dua Against Temptations
5 Refuges from Within
Temptation often comes not from outside but from within, through what we hear, see, say, feel and desire. The dua against temptations is a supplication the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught, seeking refuge in Allah from the evil of one’s own hearing, sight, tongue, heart and desire. It recognises that the path to sin usually begins in these faculties, and asks Allah to guard each of them, protecting the believer from the temptations that arise from within themselves.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ سَمْعِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ بَصَرِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ لِسَانِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ قَلْبِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَنِيِّي
Allāhumma innī a‘ūdhu bika min sharri sam‘ī, wa min sharri basarī, wa min sharri lisānī, wa min sharri qalbī, wa min sharri maniyyī.
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of my hearing, the evil of my sight, the evil of my tongue, the evil of my heart, and the evil of my desire.”
This guide explains the dua against temptations, the meaning of seeking refuge from the evil of one’s own faculties, and five refuges from within, so that the believer may guard the very doors through which temptation enters, placing their senses, heart and desires under the protection of Allah.
The Meaning of the Dua Against Temptations
The dua against temptations is a supplication the Prophet (pbuh) taught, seeking refuge in Allah from the evil of five things that belong to a person themselves: their hearing, their sight, their tongue, their heart, and their desire. This is a profound recognition that temptation most often begins within us, through what we choose to listen to, look at, speak, harbour in the heart, or crave. By asking Allah to guard each of these, the believer protects the very doors through which sin enters.
Unlike the harms that come from outside, the temptations of one’s own faculties are constant companions, and so the believer needs the protection of Allah over them at all times. The ears can be drawn to what is forbidden, the eyes to what is unlawful, the tongue to sinful speech, the heart to evil thoughts, and the desires toward what displeases Allah. The dua against temptations turns each of these over to Allah, asking Him to keep them upon good.
Five Refuges from Within
The dua against temptations seeks refuge from the evil of five faculties through which temptation enters. Guarding each places the believer under the protection of Allah.
- From the evil of the hearing, that the ears not be drawn to what is forbidden.
- From the evil of the sight, that the eyes be lowered from the unlawful.
- From the evil of the tongue, that speech be kept free of sin.
- From the evil of the heart, that it not harbour evil thoughts or intentions.
- From the evil of the desire, that one’s cravings be kept upon what pleases Allah.
إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا
Innas-sam‘a wal-basara wal-fu’ada kullu ula’ika kana ‘anhu mas’ula
Indeed the hearing the sight and the heart about all these one will be questioned
Guarding the Doors of Temptation
The greatest battles a believer faces are often within, against the pull of their own senses, heart and desires. The dua against temptations guards these inner doors, asking Allah to protect the believer from the evil that can arise through what they hear, see, say, feel and crave. By placing each faculty under the protection of Allah, the believer is shielded from temptation at its very source, before it can take root and lead to sin.
This supplication pairs naturally with the dua for firmness in faith that keeps the heart steadfast, and the dua for protection from Shaytan who calls toward sin. Together they guard the believer within and without, placing their senses, heart and desires under the protection of Allah.
Temptation often begins within, so the believer asks Allah to guard the senses, heart and desire. Learn the protection duas with us on YouTube, where the supplications are recited aloud, on Threads for a reminder to seek refuge from within, and on LinkedIn where readers share how they guard the doors through which temptation enters.
Frequently Asked Questions
The dua against temptations is Allahumma inni a‘udhu bika min sharri sam‘i, seeking refuge in Allah from the evil of one’s hearing, sight, tongue, heart and desire. The Prophet (pbuh) taught it to guard against temptation from within.
It seeks refuge from the evil of the hearing, the sight, the tongue, the heart, and the desire. These are the five faculties through which temptation most often enters.
Say it regularly, especially when you feel drawn toward sin, asking Allah to guard your senses, heart and desires. It protects the very doors through which temptation enters.
Temptation usually begins through what we choose to hear, see, say, harbour in the heart, or crave, making our own faculties a source of it. The dua asks Allah to guard each of these inner doors.
Lower the gaze, guard the tongue, keep the heart pure, and seek refuge in Allah from the evil of your faculties through this dua. Guarding the inner doors stops temptation at its source.
The dua for firmness in faith keeps the heart steadfast, and the dua for protection from Shaytan guards against the one who calls toward sin. Together they shield the believer within and without.