Dua for Childrens Protection & Other Practices from Sunnah

Children are a blessing from Allah and a privilege. Parents entrusted with the divine duty of raising children should make every effort to attend to their needs and protect them against any harm, be it physical, psychological or spiritual. It is also incumbent upon Muslim parents to raise righteous children to the best of their efforts.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock. The imam who is over the people is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock; a man is a shepherd in charge of the inhabitants of his household and he is responsible for his flock; a woman is a shepherdess in charge of her husband’s house and children and she is responsible for them; and a man’s slave is a shepherd in charge of his master’s property and he is responsible for it. So each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.”

(Bukhari and Muslim)

The Quran and Sunnah provide a number of powerful dua for childrens protection that parents can recite . Certainly, the duas of parents for their children will never go unanswered.

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

“Three supplications are answered without doubt. The supplication of the oppressed, the supplication of the traveller, and the supplication of the parent for his son (child).” [At- Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud]

Listed below are duas for children and practices to protect children:

Dua to Invoke Allah’s Protection Upon Children

Narrations reveal that RasulUllah (PBUH) used to recite the following dua to seek Allah’s protection for his beloved grandchildren, Hassan & Hussain.

أُعِيذُكُمَا بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ، وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لاَمَّةٍ

‘Udhukuma bikalimatil-lahit-tammati min kulli shaytaniw-wa haammah, wa min kulli ‘ainin lammah

“I seek protection for you in the perfect words of Allah from every devil and every beast, and from every envious blameworthy eye.” [Al-Bukhari]

It is recommended to recite the above dua for children every morning and evening.

The Morning & Evening Adhkar

It is mentioned in several Ahadeeth that Ayatul Kursi and the last three chapters of the Quran are powerful in protecting one from the Shayateen.

With regard to Ayatul Kursi, RasulUllah (PBUH) has said,

“…When you go to your bed, recite Ayat-al-Kursi, (Surah Al-Baqarah, 02:255) for then there will be a guard from Allah who will protect you all night long, and Shaytan will not be able to come near you till dawn…” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

In respect to Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, & An-Naas Abdullah bin Khubaib reported,

“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to me, ‘Recite Surah Al-Ikhlas and Al- Mu’awwidhatain (Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas) three times at dawn and dusk. It will suffice you in all respects.’” [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi]

It should be made a daily practice to recite Ayatul Kursi as well as Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Naas and the other over your little ones every morning and evening. Once children reach a capable age, they should be taught these and be encouraged and reminded to recite these duas upon themselves to receive Allah’s protection.

As well, us parents should make it a habit of regularly reciting the morning & evening Adhkar and teaching them to their children when they are old enough.

Surah Al-Baqarah

The longest surah in the Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, is a powerful force against almost all forms of evil. In addition to keeping Shaytan away from your household, as the hadeeth below states, this surah is also a protection against evil eyes, black magic, and evil whispers.

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:

“Do not turn your houses into graves. Indeed, Shaytan does not enter the house in which Surah Al-Baqarah is recited.” [Jami at-Tirmidhi]

Hence, ensure to recite at least a portion of Surah Al-Baqarah every day to protect your family from any evil that may harm them through the day.

In addition, once children are old enough they should be taught to memorize the last 2 ayat of Surah Al-Baqarah every night before going to bed.

Narrated Abu Mas`ud al-Ansari:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If one recites the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah at night, it is sufficient for him (for that night).”[Bukhari]

Keep children indoor during Maghrib time

Evil jinn & Shayateen are said to wander freely during Maghrib. As the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) has narrated in the following hadeeth, keep your doors and windows closed during Maghrib, cover your utensils, invoke Allah’s protection, and ensure that your children remain indoors throughout.

Jabir bin Abdullah narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said,

“When night falls (or when it is evening), stop your children from going out, for the devils spread out at that time. But when an hour of the night has passed, release them and close the doors and mention Allah’s Name, for shaytan does not open a closed door. Tie the mouth of your waterskin and mention Allah’s Name; cover your containers and utensils and mention Allah’s Name. Cover them even by placing something across it, and extinguish your lamps (when you go to bed).” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

Dua when using the toilet

Evil jinn & Shayateen are attracted to unclean spaces such as toilets. In order to protect ourselves, the dua below is to be recited prior to entering the toilet. Each time your little one uses the toilet, encourage them to repeat these duas after you.

Before entering the toilet recite:

اللَّهُـمَّ إِنِّي أَعُـوذُ بِـكَ مِـنَ الْخُـبْثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ

Allahumma innee aoothu bika minal-khubthi wal-khaba-ith

O Allah, I seek protection in You from evil and the evil ones (or, from the evil male and female Jinn). [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

After leaving the toilet recite:

غُفْـرانَك

Ghufraanak

I seek Your forgiveness. [Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and At-Tirmidhi]

Dua for Children Protection & Healing from Illnesses

Young children tend to fall ill frequently. In such instances, recite the following dua, as instructed by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), for the child’s speedy recovery.

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ أَذْهِبِ الْبَاسَ، اشْفِهِ وَأَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لاَ شِفَاءَ إِلاَّ شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لاَ يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا

Allahuma rabban-naas, adhibil-baas, ishfihi wa antash-shaafi, la shifa’a illa shifa-uka, shifa-an laa yughadiru saqama.

O’ Allah, the Lord of the people! Remove the trouble and heal the patient, for You are the Healer. No healing is of any avail but Yours; healing that will leave behind no ailment. [Sahih Al Bukhari]

Also see Duas for Sickness

Dua for Children to remain Steadfast in their Worship

Remaining steadfast in one’s prayers as well as other acts of worship can be the ultimate protection against shaytan and all forms of evil. The following duas are a prayer invoking Allah’s assistance in guiding your children along the path of the righteous, as well as instilling a love for Islam, the Messenger (PBUH), and the Rabb.

Dua 1: To Remain Steadfast in Prayers

رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءِ

Rabbij-alnee muqeemas-salaati wa min dhurriyyatee, Rabbana wa taqabbal du’aa.

My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication. [Surah Ibrahim 14:40]

Dua 2: To be Subservient to Allah

رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُسْلِمَةً لَكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

Rabbana waj-’alna muslimaini laka wa min dhurriyyatina ummatan muslimatan laka wa-arina manaasikana wa tub ‘alaina innaka anta-at-tawwabur-raheem.

Our Lord! Make us both fully submit to You and from our descendants a nation that will submit to You. Show us our rituals, and turn to us in grace. You are truly the accepter of repentance, most-merciful. [Surah Al-Baqarah 02:128]

Dua 3: To Instil Righteousness in Offspring

رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ إِنِّي تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِين

Rabbi audhi’nee an ashkura ni’matakal-latee an’amta ‘alayya wa ’alaa waalidayya wa an a’mala salihan tardhahu wa aslih lee fee zurriyyati innee tubtu ilaika wa innee minal-muslimeen.

“My Lord! Inspire me to always be thankful for Your favours which You blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please You. And instil righteousness in my offspring. I truly repent to You, and I truly submit to Your Will.” [Surah Al-Ahqaf 46:15]