Dua for Protection
3 Ways to Seek Allah’s Refuge
The believer knows that true protection from all harm, seen and unseen, comes from Allah alone, and so they seek refuge in Him. The dua for protection draws on the prayer Allah teaches in the Quran, seeking refuge in Him from the incitements of the devils and from their presence. It teaches the believer to turn to Allah for protection not only from visible dangers, but from the hidden whispers and influences of the devils that seek to lead the heart astray.
رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ
Rabbi a‘ūdhu bika min hamazātish-shayātīn, wa a‘ūdhu bika rabbi an yahdurūn.
“My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils, and I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they be present with me.”
This guide explains the dua for protection, its meaning, and three ways to seek the refuge of Allah, so that the believer may guard themselves against every harm by turning to their Lord, the only true protector, asking Him for shelter from the seen and the unseen.
The Meaning of the Dua for Protection
The dua for protection comes from Surah Al-Mu’minun, where Allah teaches the believer to seek refuge in Him from the incitements of the devils, and from their very presence. The word hamazat refers to the promptings, whispers and provocations of the devils, the subtle pushes toward anger, sin and heedlessness. The dua asks Allah for protection from these unseen influences, and then goes further, seeking refuge from the devils being present at all, especially in moments of worship and importance.
This dua teaches a profound truth: that the greatest dangers are often unseen. While people guard against visible harm, the whispers of the devils work silently on the heart, stirring up evil thoughts, doubts and temptations. By seeking refuge in Allah from these incitements, the believer protects the most important thing of all, their heart and faith. And by asking that the devils not be present, they seek a protected space in which to worship and live with a heart turned to Allah.
رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ
Rabbi a‘udhu bika min hamazatish-shayatini wa a‘udhu bika Rabbi an yahdurun
My Lord I seek refuge in You from the devils and their presence
Three Ways to Seek Allah’s Refuge
The believer seeks the refuge of Allah from every harm through remembrance and trust. These three ways seek His protection.
- Seek refuge in Allah, turning to Him for protection from the seen and unseen with this dua.
- Recite the protective remembrances, such as Ayat al-Kursi and the last three surahs, which guard the believer.
- Begin with the name of Allah, seeking His protection over your actions, your home and your loved ones.
Seeking Shelter in Allah
True protection is found in turning to Allah, the only one who can shield the believer from every harm, seen and unseen. The dua for protection seeks refuge in Allah from the whispers of the devils and their presence, guarding the heart and faith above all. Joined with the protective remembrances and beginning every action in the name of Allah, this dua shelters the believer in their Lord, certain that the One who created all things can protect them from all harm. No shelter is safer than the One in whose hand all things rest.
This supplication pairs naturally with the protective prayers in our dua for protection from evil eye, and the dua for mercy. Together they help the believer seek the refuge of Allah from every harm, sheltering in the protection of their Lord.
True protection from every harm, seen and unseen, comes from Allah alone, the only refuge. Learn the Quranic duas with us on YouTube, where the supplications are recited aloud, on TikTok for a reminder to seek the refuge of Allah, and on Facebook where readers share how they shelter in their Lord.
Frequently Asked Questions
The dua for protection is Rabbi a‘udhu bika min hamazatish-shayatin, my Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils, and lest they be present with me. It is in Surah Al-Mu’minun.
Say it when seeking protection from harm, especially the unseen whispers of the devils, and before worship and important moments. It guards the heart and faith above all.
It seeks refuge from the incitements and whispers of the devils, the subtle pushes toward anger, sin and heedlessness, and from their very presence. It protects the most important thing, the heart.
Because the greatest dangers are often unseen, as the whispers of the devils work silently on the heart, stirring evil thoughts and temptations. Seeking refuge in Allah protects the heart and faith.
Reciting Ayat al-Kursi and the last three surahs, and beginning actions in the name of Allah, all guard the believer. These draw the protection of Allah over the heart, home and loved ones.
The dua for protection from the evil eye guards against envy, and the dua for mercy seeks the compassion of Allah. Together with the dua for protection, they shelter the believer in their Lord.