Question:
What is the source and meaning of this supplication?
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
“I seek refuge with the complete words of Allah from the evil of what He has created,”
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Supplication is a part of worship that is sanctioned by Allah SWT for His slaves. Thus, we as the slaves of Allah SWT are encouraged to always supplicate to him in every situation and time.
Source and Status of the hadith
According to the above question, the above supplication is narrated by imam Muslim in his Sahih. Furthermore, the hadith is also narrated by Imam al-Tirmizi and Imam Ibnu Majah which are as the following:
- From Khaulah binti Hakim al-Sulamiyyah, she heard the Prophet PBUH said:
مَنْ نَزَلَ مَنْزِلًا ثُمَّ قَالَ: أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ، لَمْ يَضُرَّهُ شَيْءٌ، حَتَّى يَرْتَحِلَ مِنْ مَنْزِلِهِ ذَلِكَ
“When anyone lands at a place, and then says:" I seek refuge in the Perfect Word of Allah from the evil of what He has created," nothing would harm him until he marches from that stopping place.”
Sahih Muslim (2708), Sunan al-Tirmizi (3437) and Sunan Ibn Majah (3547)
The Meaning of Hadith or Supplication
According to Imam al-Nawawi when he was commenting on the hadith, the meaning the Perfect Word of Allah when the perfection in it that is without any imperfection or defect. It is said the perfect word means words that is of benefit or healing or verses of the Quran. [See: al-Minhaj Syarah Sahih Muslim, 17/31]
In Syarah Hisn al-Muslim, it is said that the meaning of the Perfect word is the names of Allah where there is no defect in them. [See: Syarh Hisn al-Muslim, 154]
This is also stated in the Quran, in Allah SWT statement asking us to supplicate using His names:
وَلِلَّـهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا
“And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them.”
Surah al-A’raf (180)
Closing
To conclude, supplication is the weapon of believers. Thus, we are encouraged to always make dua to Allah SWT so that we will always be in His protection and care. Lastly, may Allah SWT protect us from any contagious diseases or bad things from happening to us. Amin.
Wallahua’lam.