In Islam, Satan is considered to be the fountainhead of evil. He uses subtle whispers (waswasa - وسوسة) to lure people into sin and forgetfulness of God.
In Islamic beliefs, waswasa (وسوسة) translates to "whisperings" or "temptations" and is often associated with the whispers of Satan (Shaytan). It's understood as subtle doubts or temptations that can lead to negative thoughts, behaviors, or actions, particularly concerning religious practices and beliefs. While it's sometimes linked to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in modern psychological terms, the Islamic concept of waswasa also includes an element of the metaphysical, involving the influence of Satan.
Satan’s mission is to misguide humans from the path of Allah as is mentioned in Qur'an - Surah Al-A'raf (7:17):
"Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You].”
It is unfortunate that we despite being Muslims and believers of one true God, we call Allah, more often than not fall to the Satanic whispering and get enticed to Satan's evil machination which serve as diversions for us from our well defined straight path, the Siraat ul Mustaqeem. That is why Muslims have always been praying to Allah to save them from the evil and seek refuge from evil diversions.
One such supplication to seek refuge from evil whisperings and enticements is attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is mentioned in Sunan Abi Dawud (Book # 8 Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Detailed Injunctions about Witr / كتاب الوتر / Chapter # 518 Regarding Seeking Refuge / باب فِي الاِسْتِعَاذَةِ as Hadith number # 1551, quoted herein under:
Narrated Shakl ibn Humayd: I said: Messenger of Allah, teach me a supplication.
He said: Say: "O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from the evil of what I hear, from the evil of what I see, from the evil of what I speak, from the evil of what I think, and from the evil of my semen" (i.e. sexual passion).
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ حَنْبَلٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، - الْمَعْنَى - عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ، عَنْ بِلاَلٍ الْعَبْسِيِّ، عَنْ شُتَيْرِ بْنِ شَكَلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، فِي حَدِيثِ أَبِي أَحْمَدَ شَكَلِ بْنِ حُمَيْدٍ - قَالَ - قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَلِّمْنِي دُعَاءً قَالَ " قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ سَمْعِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ بَصَرِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ لِسَانِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ قَلْبِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَنِيِّي " .
Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani)
Let us breakdown this supplication in parts to better understand it and how to supplicate seeking refuge:
1. "From the evil of what I hear"
Hearing is a major avenue through which evil can enter the heart — such as gossip, lies, slander, or immoral speech.
- Qur'anic reflection: “Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart – about all those [one] will be questioned.” — Surah Al-Isra (17:36)
- This verse warns that what we hear (along with seeing and thinking) is not morally neutral. We're accountable for what we expose ourselves to.
2. "From the evil of what I see"
Vision can lead to temptation or moral corruption — for example, by looking at prohibited things or desiring what others have.
- Qur’anic connection: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is acquainted with what they do.” — Surah An-Nur (24:30)
- Guarding the eyes is tied directly to guarding the heart and desires.
3. "From the evil of what I speak"
Words have power — they can harm, lie, incite, or humiliate.
- Qur’anic foundation:
- “Not a word does he (man) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).” — Surah Qaf (50:18)
- “O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice.” — Surah Al-Ahzab (33:70)
4. "From the evil of what I think"
Perhaps this is the most haunting evil from which many of us suffer. Thoughts, while internal, are the starting point for action — both good and evil. Persistently entertaining evil thoughts can lead to sinful behavior.
- Qur’anic relation: “And conceal your speech or publicize it; indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.” - Surah Al-Mulk (67:13)
- Allah knows what is in our hearts and minds. Hence, we ask His protection even from our own thoughts.
5. "From the evil of my semen" (i.e., sexual passion)
This refers to seeking refuge from misuse of sexual desire, which can lead to zina (fornication/adultery), addiction, or exploitation.
- Qur’anic parallel: “And those who guard their private parts — except with their wives or those their right hands possess… But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors.” — Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:5–7)
- Sexual desire is natural, but channeling it wrongly leads to serious sin and societal harm.
- That is why in Qur'an men and women have been cautioned to meet in isolation if not married for if such a meeting takes place, the third attendee is the Satan and his evil whisperings often lead to lewdness and unlawful sexual relations.
Summary:
This du‘ā is a request for Allah’s help in protecting us from ourselves — from the evil that can come through our senses, our mind, our words, and our desires. It teaches mindfulness and humility: that even our faculties, if unchecked, can lead us astray.
Let us supplicate this du'a much too often to seek refuge from every kind of evil diversion so that we do not lose our Eeman and fall into the trap of Satan.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our exclusive reference page Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Morality for more etiquettes attributed to Prophet Muhammad.
You may refer to our reference: page: Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more prophetic supplications
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
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