Protection
Protection through the perfect words of Allah
This is the du'a the Prophet ﷺ used to seek refuge for his grandsons al-Hasan and al-Husayn, saying that Ibrahim used the very same words for Isma'il and Ishaq. Parents recite it over their children for shelter from the devil, from poisonous or harmful creatures, and from the evil eye. The dual ending here ("you both") is for two children; say "u'idhuka" for one boy or "u'idhuki" for one girl. Recorded in al-Bukhari 3371.
أُعِيذُكُمَا بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لَامَّةٍ
U'idhukuma bi kalimatillah at-tammah min kulli shaytanin wa hammah wa min kulli 'aynin lammah
I place you both under the protection of the perfect words of Allah, from every devil, every harmful creature, and every evil eye.
Authenticity: Sahih (authentic), reported by al-Bukhari (3371); also in Abu Dawud (4737) and at-Tirmidhi (2060).
Download image to shareWhen to say it
Recited by a parent or guardian over children for protection, especially at bedtime, when leaving the house, or whenever you fear the evil eye or harm may reach them.
How often
No fixed count in the sunnah; the Prophet ﷺ would say it over both children together.
Frequently asked
Who did the Prophet ﷺ say this du'a for?
He said it over his grandsons al-Hasan and al-Husayn, and told his Companions that Ibrahim (Abraham) used these exact words to seek Allah's protection for his sons Isma'il and Ishaq. It is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 3371.
How do I change the wording for one child?
The spec wording "u'idhukuma" is dual (two children). For a single boy say "u'idhuka bi kalimatillah at-tammah..." and for a single girl say "u'idhuki..."; the rest of the du'a stays the same.