Prayers to avoid evil people are easy to recite every day. Evil is sunnatullah, a test that Allah SWT has created so that humans remain vigilant, patient, and always trust in Him. In our daily lives, we are never free from the threat of evil, whether in the form of envy, slander, injustice, or the bad intentions of others. Therefore, prayer becomes a fortress that can protect the heart and self from all apparent and hidden evils.
In Islam, praying to be protected from evil people is not limited to asking for protection from criminal acts. It also includes all forms of wrongdoing that can harm others. Whether in the form of envy, gossip, or treachery directed at us. Even socially, evil can come in the form of oppression, leaders, group injustice, and destruction on earth.
Read also: Prayer for Bad Dreams as an Effort to Avoid Nightmares
The Source of Crime in the View of the Quran
Every human being must have wondered, where does evil actually come from? Does it just appear, or is there a deeper source explained by religion? The Quran has provided information about the origins of evil and how to deal with it. Allah SWT emphasizes that humans cannot escape the temptations of lust, Satan, and the schemes of evil people. Therefore, prayer is the main means for a Muslim to obtain protection from Allah and the strength of faith to remain steadfast in the face of life’s trials.
﴿ إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ ﴾
“Indeed, the soul is a commanding evil” (QS. Yusuf: 53).
﴿ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا ۚ إِنَّمَا يَدْعُو حِزْبَهُ لِيَكُونُوا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ ﴾
“Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you, so take him as an enemy. Indeed, Satan only invites his party to be among the companions of the Blazing Fire” (QS. Fathir: 6).
﴿ And thus We have made for every prophet an enemy—devils from among humans and jinn, inspiring one another with adorned speech as delusion. ﴾
“And thus We have made for every prophet an enemy, namely devils from among humans and jinn. Some of them whisper to others beautiful words to deceive” (QS. Al-An’am: 112).
The three verses above show that the source of evil can come from lust, demons, and unjust humans. One of the prayers taught by Allah to avoid evil people is Surah Al-Falaq, which is short and easy to memorize to be recited every day:
﴿ قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ وَمِنْ شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ وَمِنْ شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ وَمِنْ شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذ he envies﴾
Meaning: “Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the dawn, from the evil of His creation, from the evil of the darkening night, from the evil of women who blow on knots, and from the evil of an envious person when he envies” (QS. Al-Falaq: 1–5).
Read also: Surah for the Sick in the Quran and Prayers when Visiting the Sick
Prayer to Avoid Evil People in the Hadith
The Prophet Muhammad taught a special prayer so that Muslims would be protected from the evil of mankind:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شُرُورِهِمْ، وَنَدْرَأُ بِكَ فِي نُحُورِهِمْ
(Allahumma inna na‘ūdzu bika min syurūrihim, wa nadrā’u bika fī nuhūrihim).
Meaning: “O Allah, we seek refuge in You from their evil, and we ask You to repel their evil from us” (HR. Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Adab, no. 1552).
Another prayer taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is:
اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِيهِمْ بِمَا شِئْتَ
(Allahummakfinīhim bimā syi’ta).
Meaning: “O Allah, protect me from them in any way You wish” (HR. Bukhari, Kitab al-Jihad, no. 2913; Muslim, no. 1742).
These two short prayers are important spiritual weapons for Muslims. The prayer to be protected from evil people is easy to recite every day consistently. In daily life, threats or bad intentions from others can appear in various forms, whether physical, psychological, or social, which often cause fear or anxiety. By reciting this prayer, the heart becomes calmer, the mind more focused, and anxiety is reduced. So that you can carry out your activities without being burdened by fear. In addition, prayer serves as a spiritual fortress, affirming that all true protection comes only from Allah.
Read also: Prayer for Wishes to Come True, Can It Really Be by Almsgiving?
The Wisdom of Reciting Prayers to Ward Off Evil People
Prayers to ward off evil people are actually a form of complete surrender to Allah SWT. When a Muslim recites a prayer, he or she will feel inner peace, because he or she is convinced that true protection comes only from Allah. Prayer also strengthens faith, reminding us that no human power, wealth, or position can help us except Allah. Prayer becomes a spiritual fortress that protects us from the temptations of lust, the whispers of Satan, and the evil intentions of others. Through prayer, a Muslim is taught not to repay injustice with injustice, but to surrender all matters to Allah.
Friends, evil is part of life’s trials, but Allah SWT has provided guidance on how to pray to avoid evil people in the Qur’an and hadith. Surah Al-Falaq, the prayers taught by the Prophet Muhammad, and efforts through charity are a strong fortress that protects a Muslim from harm.
By constantly reciting prayers to avoid evil people, we not only protect ourselves physically, but also strengthen our spiritual relationship with Allah SWT. True protection comes from Him, and prayer is the main key to ensuring that our lives are always under His protection. In addition to prayer, practices such as giving alms and zakat also serve as a shield against various evils. Almsgiving can ward off calamities, soften the heart, and open the doors of sustenance, while zakat purifies wealth and maintains the blessings of life. By combining prayer and real deeds, inshaAllah we will be increasingly protected from evil. Aamiin yaa Rabbal Alamiin.
