he possesses no power to benefit or harm even himself, let alone anyone else.

The phrase, “I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah,” means: “I seek shelter and protection.” It has been said that the words of Allah refer to the Quran, and it has also been said that they are the words by which He creates and decrees. “Perfect” means that they are untouched by any deficiency or defect, unlike human speech.

The hadith establishes that it is prescribed to seek refuge in Allah’s attributes, that seeking refuge is an act of worship which may not be directed to anyone other than Allah, and that the speech of Allah—including the Quran—is not created. Were it created, refuge would not be sought in it, for seeking refuge in created things is impermissible; rather, it is associating partners with Allah Almighty.

The phrase, “from the evil of what He has created,” means from every evil present in any created being—whether human or jinn, a venomous creature or other beast, a wind, a thunderbolt, or any other kind of affliction.

The phrase, “nothing will harm him until he departs from that place,” means nothing whatsoever, for he is protected by Allah’s protection. However, for this supplication and others to be effective, the recipient must be receptive, have a sound intention, place full trust in Allah—Mighty and Majestic—and diligently observe it at every place where he stops.

Al-Qurtubī—may Allah have mercy on him—said: “This is a sound report and a true statement whose truth we have learned through both proof and experience. From the time I heard this report, I acted upon it, and nothing harmed me until I neglected it. One night in al-Mahdiyya, a scorpion stung me. I reflected and realized that I had forgotten to seek refuge with those words.”1.