The best defense we have against all harm is our faith in Allah (SWT) and turning to Him for support, which is why it is so important to make dua for protection. We can make dua in any language we prefer, but there is virtue in reciting duas that come from revelation, Hadith, or noble figures in Islam in their original Arabic format. 

Of the many sources of duas, the Holy Qur’an is the first place for believers to turn to. Who better to teach us how to make dua to Allah (SWT) than Allah Himself? The most powerful duas for protection, then, are actually verses that many of us already know and recite on a daily basis. These verses are Ayatul Kursi and the three Quls, which are Surah Naas, Surah Falaq, and Surah Ikhlaas. 

 

Duas for Protection in Ayatul Kursi

 

The Holy Qur’an serves as the most authentic source of all Islamic knowledge. It is the preservation of the words and commands of Allah (SWT) and provides complete guidance in all matters. So it should not come as a surprise that Allah (SWT) has shown us how to make duas for protection in the Qur’an, giving us beautiful verses we may recite to seek shelter in Him from all harm. 

The most significant dua for protection  is Ayah 255 of Surah Baqarah, most commonly known as Ayatul Kursi. Ayatul Kursi can be defined literally as “the verse of the throne [of Allah]”. In this ayah, Allah (SWT) teaches us how nothing can be compared to Him. It beautifully praises Him (SWT) using his beautiful names and attributes. You can also learn more about the names and attributes of Allah (SWT) in our blog here. 

The Prophet (S) reportedly spoke about the power and significance of this beautiful verse many times. We will share a couple of such narrations about Ayatul Kursi here: 

1. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “In Surat Al-Baqarah there is a verse which is the best of all the verses of the Qur’an. It is never recited in a house but Ash-Shaytan leaves: Ayat Al-Kursi.” (An-Nasa’i and Ibn Hibban). 
2. Concerning the virtue of reciting this verse after each Salah, it was narrated that Abu Umamah said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever recites Ayat Al-Kursi immediately after each prescribed Prayer, there will be nothing standing between him and his entering Paradise except death.” (An-Nasa’i and Ibn Hibban.)

 

Below is the Arabic text, transliteration and translation of Ayatul Kursi: 

 

 اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَالْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ 

Allahu laaa ilaaha illaa Huwal Haiyul Qaiyoom; laa taakhudhuhoo sinatuw-wa laa nawm; lahu maa fissamaawaati wa maa fil ard; man dhal ladhee yashfa’u ‘indahooo illaa bi-idhnih; ya’lamu maa baina aydeehim wa maa khalfahum wa laa yuheetoona bishai’im min ‘ilmihi illaa bimaa shaaa’; wasi’a kursiyyuhus samaawaati wal arda wa laa ya’ooduhoo hifzuhumaa; wa Huwal Aliyyul ‘Adheem

“Allah! There is no god but He,-the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).”

 

You can find another beautiful source for Quranic duas beginning with “Rabbana”, or “Our Lord”, here. 

 

The 3 Quls as a Dua for Protection From Enemy 

 

Allah (SWT) also teaches us in the Qur’an how to make dua for protection from enemy, evil, and all kinds of harm. We ask Allah (SWT) for protection because there is none better than him to offer his refuge, and no better guarantee of safety than in the promise and words of Allah (SWT). 

In addition to Ayatul Kursi, the Surahs Naas, Falaq, and Ikhlaas–also known as the three Quls– recited in combination serve as one of the most powerful dua for protection. There are a number of Hadith about these three Surahs for protection. We will share some here:  

 

1. The Prophet Muhammad (S) reportedly told us in a Hadith about the power of the three Quls as well. Abdullah ibn Khubayb reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Speak.” I said, “What should I say?” The Prophet said, “Say: He is Allah, the One, (112:1) and the two chapters of refuge, al-Falaq and al-Nas, every evening and morning three times. They will be enough for you against everything.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhii, 3,575)
2. Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (S)  used to seek protection against the evil of jinn and the evil eyes till Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Naas were revealed. After they were revealed, he took them to seek Allah’s protection and left everything besides them. (Sunan At- Tirmidhi)
3. Aisha (RA) narrated: “Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) went to bed every night, he used to cup his hands together and blow over it after reciting Surat Al-Ikhlas, Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas, and then rub his hands over whatever parts of his body he was able to rub, starting with his head, face and front of his body. He used to do that three times.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 5,017)
4. Imam Ibn Qayyim spoke about the power of Surah Naas and Surah Falaq as follows: “The effectiveness of these surahs is great to repel magic, evil eye, and the rest of the evils and the need for a slave to seek Allah’s protection from these two surahs is greater than his need for self, eating, drinking, and wearing dress” (Al-Fawaid, 2/426).

Surah Naas

Surah Naas, or “Mankind” is the 114th Surah and the last chapter of the Qur’an. Only six short verses in length, this chapter of the Qur’an commands us to seek refuge in Allah (SWT). It outlines the relationship of Allah (SWT) with His creation. 

 

قُلْ اَعُوْذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ (1) مَلِكِ النَّاسِ (2) اِلٰهِ النَّاسِ (3) مِنْ شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ (4) الَّذِیْ یُوَسْوِسُ فِیْ صُدُوْرِ النَّاسِ (5) مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَ النَّاسِ (6)

Qul a’oodhu birabbin naas (1) Malikin naas (2) Ilaahin naas (3) Min sharril waswaasil khannaas (4) Alladhee yuwaswisu fee sudoorin naas (5) Minal jinnati wannaas (6)

“Say: I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of Mankind (1) The King (or Ruler) of Mankind (2) The god (or judge) of Mankind (3) From the mischief of the Whisperer (of Evil), who withdraws (after his whisper) (4) (The same) who whispers into the hearts of Mankind (5) Among Jinns and among men (6)”

 

Surah Falaq 

Surah Falaq, or “Daybreak”, is the 113th Surah of the Qur’an. It is five short ayah long wherein Allah (SWT) teaches us how to seek refuge in Him from all kinds of evil in creation. It serves the purpose of a beautiful dua for protection from evil . 

 

 (3) قُلۡ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلۡفَلَقِ (1) مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ (2) وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ

 وَمِن شَرِّ ٱلنَّفَّـٰثَٰتِ فِي ٱلۡعُقَدِ (4) وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ (5)

“Qul a’oodhu bi rabbil-falaq (1) Min sharri maa khalaq (2) Wa min sharri ghaasiqin idhaa waqab (3) Wa min sharrin-naffaa-saati fil ‘uqad (4) Wa min sharri haasidin idhaa hasad (5)”

“I seek refuge with the Lord of the Dawn (1) From the mischief of created things (2) From the mischief of Darkness as it overspreads (3) From the mischief of those who practise secret arts (4) And from the mischief of the envious one as he practices envy (5)”

 

Surah Ikhlaas 

Surah Ikhlaas, also known as a “Declaration of Tawhid” (the Oneness of Allah), is the 112th Surah of the Qur’an. Only four short verses in length, Surah Ikhlaas declares the aspects of Allah’s (SWT) oneness and might. Reciting this Surah is reported to have the virtue of reciting one third of the Qur’an. It is as follows: 

 

قُلۡ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ (1) ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ (2) لَمۡ يَلِدۡ وَلَمۡ يُولَدۡ (3) وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدُۢ (4) 

Qul huwa’llaahu ahad (1) Allahu’s-samad (2) Lam yalid wa lam yoolad (3) Wa lam yakul-lahoo kufuwan ahad (4)

“Say: He is Allah, the One and Only (1) Allah, the Eternal, Absolute (2) He begetteth not, nor is He begotten (3) And there is none like unto Him (3)”

 

In addition to the Hadith that talk about the merits of reciting the three Quls, there are Hadith that specifically describe the significance and beauty of Surah Ikhlaas worth including here. We will share a few examples: 

 

1. Ahmad reported from Abu Sa’id al-Khudri that a man said, “O Messenger of Allah, I have a neighbor who prays at night and he only ever recites Qul huwa Allahu Ahad as if he did not think much of this. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, it is equivalent to one-third of the Quran.” (Al-Musnad, 10,965)
2. Describing the ease and immense reward in reciting Surah Ikhlaas, Abu Sa’id al-Khudri said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to his Companions: Could any one of you not recite one third of the Quran in one night? They found the idea too difficult, and said, Who among us could do that, O Messenger of Allah? He said, Allahul-ahad, al- samad [i.e., Surat al-Ikhlas] is one third of the Quran.” (Sahih Bukhari, 4,628)
3. Aisha (RA) shares a time when the Prophet (S) told a man who loves Surah Ikhlaas that Allah (SWT) loves him: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) sent a man in charge of a small military campaign, and when he recited Quran whilst leading his companions in prayer, he would always end with Qul huwa Allahu ahad. When they came back, [his companions] mentioned that to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who told them to ask him why he did that. So they asked him, and he said, ‘Because it is a description of the Most Merciful, and I love to recite it.’ The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Tell him that Allah loves him’.” (Sahih Bukhari, 6,827)

 

Learn More Duas for Protection

You and your child can learn the etiquette of reciting a dua like the above Surahs by watching our “How to Make Dua” video here. Your child can also learn more duas for protection by attending our interactive and engaging weekly Islamic storytime, “Khutbah for Kids”. Sign up here. 

If you’re looking for a compilation of powerful duas for all problems and different scenarios in day-to-day life, visit the website Dua and Adhkar. 

 

Dua for Protection: The Power of of Ayatul Kursi and the 3 Quls

 

There is no better source of refuge than Allah (SWT), and by reciting a dua for protection we can request His help. After all, it is only by His Mercy that we can be saved from potential harm that may come our way. 

The combination of Ayatul Kursi and Surah Naas, Surah Falaq, and Surah Ikhlaas is one of the most powerful and reliable sources of protection from all kinds of harm. While other duas are effective, these Surahs have a special rank on account of being the very words of Allah (SWT) in the blessed Qur’an Al-Kareem. 

How often do you recite Ayatul Kursi and the three Quls in a day, and have you noticed its impact on your daily life? Comment below!