8/30. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1537 — Dua When Fearing a People
What Should One Say When He Is Afraid Of A People?
Dua When Fearing People: Seeking Allah's Shield and Protection
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1537
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1537
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، أَنَّ أَبَاهُ، حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا خَافَ قَوْمًا قَالَ " اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَجْعَلُكَ فِي نُحُورِهِمْ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شُرُورِهِمْ " .
Narrated AbuMusa al-Ash'ari: When the Prophet (ﷺ) feared a (group of) people, he would say: "O Allah, we make Thee our shield against them, and take refuge in Thee from their evils."
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1537In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 122English translation : Book 8, Hadith 1532
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1537
This hadith about dua when fearing people gives a short prayer of protection. Abu Musa al-Ash'ari narrated that when the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم feared a group of people, he would say: "O Allah, we make Thee our shield against them, and take refuge in Thee from their evils." The hadith shows turning to Allah in a moment of fear. It does not give a long plan or a list of actions. The main act mentioned is supplication. The wording asks Allah to be a shield and seeks refuge from evil. This teaches that fear should lead the believer to seek Allah's help, protection, and safety.
What we learn from this hadith
- When facing fear from people, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم turned to Allah in supplication.
- The dua asks Allah to be a shield against harm.
- The hadith teaches seeking refuge in Allah from the evils of others.
