that he could say every morning and evening. Al-Tirmidhī, Abū Dāwūd, and others narrated from Abū Hurayra—may Allah be pleased with him—that Abū Bakr al-Siddīq—may Allah be pleased with him—said: “O Messenger of Allah, instruct me in words that I may say when morning comes and when evening comes.” He said: “Say: O Allah, Originator of the heavens and earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, Lord and Sovereign of all things, I bear witness that none is worthy of worship but You. I seek refuge in You from the evil of my soul, from the evil of Satan, and from the polytheism to which he calls.” Another narration reads: “And from committing evil against myself or bringing it upon a Muslim.” He said: “Say it when morning comes, when evening comes, and when you retire to bed.”1.

This is a magnificent supplication that a Muslim is recommended to recite in the morning, in the evening, and before sleep. It entails seeking refuge in Allah, turning to Him, and holding fast to Him—glory be to Him—for protection against every evil: against its sources and beginnings as well as its consequences and ends. He began it with sublime appeals to Allah, Mighty and Majestic, mentioning several of His magnificent descriptions and noble attributes that indicate His greatness, majesty, and perfection. He invoked Him as the “Originator of the heavens and earth,” meaning their Creator, the One who devised and brought them into existence without any prior model; and as the “Knower of the unseen and the seen,” meaning that nothing whatsoever is hidden from Him. He knows all that is hidden from His servants and all that is manifest to them. What is unseen is visible to Him, what is secret is open to Him, and His knowledge—glory be to Him—encompasses all things. He also invoked Him as the “Lord and Sovereign of all things.” Nothing lies beyond His lordship, and He owns all things. Glory be to Him, He is the Lord of the worlds and the Owner of all creation. He then declared Allah’s oneness and acknowledged that worship belongs to Him alone, affirming that He is the only One rightfully worshipped and that none besides Him is worthy of worship. Thus he said: “I bear witness that none is worthy of worship but You.” All of this came as a preface to the supplication, through which the servant expresses his utter need and poverty