Question:
What is the source and meaning of this supplication?
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ البَرَصِ، وَالْجُنُونِ، وَالْجُذَامِ، وَمِنْ سَيِّئِ الْأَسْقَامِ
“O Allah, I seek refuge in you from evil morals, deeds, passions and diseases.”
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 worship sanctioned for every Muslim regardless of whether he is in ease or hardship. The reason is supplication is a direct connection between a person and his Creator and God. According to the above question, the above hadith is narrated by Imam Ibnu Hibban in his Sahih:
- From Qutbah bin Malik RA, the prophet PBUH said:
اللَّهُمَّ جَنِّبْنِي مُنْكَرَاتِ الْأَخْلَاقِ، وَالْأَهْوَاءِ، وَالْأَسْوَاءِ، وَالْأَدْوَاءِ
“O Allah, I seek refuge in you from evil morals, deeds, passions and diseases.”
Narrated by Ibn Hibban (960)
In the narration from al-Hakim, there is a slight difference at the word “الْأَسْوَاءِ” (evil situations), where in the narration of al-Hakim it is stated as “الْأَعْمَالِ” (evil deeds). [See: al-Mustadrak, 1/714] As for in terms of the status of this hadith, it is evaluated as sahih by Imam Ibn Hibban and Imam al-Hakim. Imam al-Hakim stated that the sanad of the hadith is sahih following the conditions of Imam Muslim.
The hadith encourages us to avoid evil morals and only do good deeds and perform worships. Among the meanings of evil deeds are ‘ujub, takabbur, arrogance, jealousy, cockiness and being cruel to others. As for evil deeds are fornication, drinking alcoholic beverages and other prohibited actions. Moreover, evil passion means transgressions of one’s hawa which means deviant faith (I’tiqad), bathil intentions (wrongful), harmful thoughts and disgrace of customs. [See: Nuzhah al-Muttaqin, 2/242]
Furthermore, the meaning of evil diseases in the supplication includes leprosy, polio, tuberculosis, ascites, pneumonia and other dangerous diseases. [See: Faidh al-Qadir, 2/110] therefore, the words of the hadith or supplication has a general meaning which means all type of dangerous diseases.
The Prophet PBUH always supplicate to Allah SWT to be protected against dangerous diseases such as leprosy, polio and pneumonia. Thus, the Prophet PBUH always make dua to be protected from evil diseases. [See: Subul al-Salam, 2/673]
Conclusion
As a conclusion, supplication is a part of worship and weapon of believers. Thus, we are encouraged to always make dua to Allah SWT so that we are protected in every time and situation. Lastly, may Allah SWT protect us from any diseases and things that are harmful to us. Amin.
Wallahua’lam.