Dua Against Misguidance
4 Refuges from Going Astray
Guidance is the greatest gift Allah gives, and the believer fears nothing more than losing it and going astray. The dua against misguidance is a supplication the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught for leaving home and facing the world, seeking refuge in Allah from going astray, from slipping into error, from wronging others, and from acting in ignorance, whether by one’s own hand or at the hands of others. It places the believer’s guidance, conduct and dignity under the protection of Allah.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَضِلَّ أَوْ أُضَلَّ، أَوْ أَزِلَّ أَوْ أُزَلَّ، أَوْ أَظْلِمَ أَوْ أُظْلَمَ، أَوْ أَجْهَلَ أَوْ يُجْهَلَ عَلَيَّ
Allāhumma innī a‘ūdhu bika an adilla aw udall, aw azilla aw uzall, aw azlima aw uzlam, aw ajhala aw yujhala ‘alayy.
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from going astray or being led astray, from slipping or being made to slip, from wronging or being wronged, and from behaving foolishly or being treated foolishly.”
This guide explains the dua against misguidance, the meaning of its paired refuges, and how each guards the believer, so that one may step into the world each day under the protection of Allah, asking Him to keep them upon guidance and to shield them from every form of going astray.
The Meaning of the Dua Against Misguidance
The dua against misguidance is a supplication the Prophet (pbuh) taught his companions to say when leaving the house. In it, the believer seeks refuge in Allah from four pairs of harms: from going astray or being led astray, from slipping into sin or being made to slip, from wronging others or being wronged, and from acting foolishly or being treated foolishly. Each pair covers both doing the harm oneself and suffering it from others, leaving no path of going astray unguarded.
This dua shows how completely the believer relies on Allah for guidance. We cannot keep ourselves upon the straight path by our own strength, nor protect ourselves from the influence of others who might lead us astray. By seeking refuge in Allah from every form of misguidance, the believer acknowledges that staying guided is a gift from Allah, asking Him to keep them firm upon the truth as they go out into the world.
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا
Rabbana la tuzigh qulubana ba‘da idh hadaytana
Our Lord do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us
Four Refuges from Going Astray
The dua against misguidance gathers four paired refuges, each guarding the believer from harm done or suffered. These four keep one upon guidance.
- From going astray or being led astray, that one neither loses guidance nor is misled by others.
- From slipping or being made to slip, that one neither falls into sin nor is pushed into it.
- From wronging or being wronged, that one neither oppresses others nor suffers oppression.
- From foolishness or being treated foolishly, that one neither acts in ignorance nor is wronged by it.
Stepping into the World Under His Protection
Each day brings countless chances to go astray, to slip into error, or to wrong and be wronged, and the believer cannot face them on their own strength. The dua against misguidance places guidance, conduct and dignity under the protection of Allah, asking Him to shield against every form of going astray. By stepping into the world with this dua, the believer entrusts their path to Allah, certain that He alone can keep them firm upon the truth.
This supplication pairs naturally with the dua for protection from Shaytan who calls toward misguidance, and reflects the steadfastness sought in patience in Islam. Together they keep the believer upon guidance, placing their path under the protection of Allah.
Staying upon guidance is a gift from Allah, sought afresh each time we step into the world. Learn the protection duas with us on YouTube, where the supplications are recited aloud, on TikTok for a reminder to seek refuge from going astray, and on Pinterest where readers share how they keep their path under the protection of Allah.
Frequently Asked Questions
The dua against misguidance is Allahumma inni a‘udhu bika an adilla aw udall, seeking refuge in Allah from going astray, slipping, wronging and foolishness, whether done by oneself or suffered from others. The Prophet (pbuh) taught it for leaving home.
It seeks refuge from going astray or being led astray, slipping or being made to slip, wronging or being wronged, and acting foolishly or being treated foolishly. Each pair covers both doing the harm and suffering it.
Say it when leaving your home and stepping into the world, asking Allah to keep you upon guidance. It places your path, conduct and dignity under the protection of Allah.
Each pair guards against both sides, so the believer neither commits the harm nor suffers it, keeping their conduct and dignity intact. It leaves no path of going astray unguarded.
We cannot keep ourselves upon the straight path by our own strength, nor protect ourselves from those who might mislead us, so guidance is a gift sought from Allah. The believer relies on Allah to stay firm upon the truth.
The dua for protection from Shaytan guards against the one who calls toward misguidance, and asking Allah to keep the heart firm preserves guidance. Together they keep the believer upon the straight path.