“Whoever says, in the evening, three times: I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created, no poisonous creature will harm him that night.”
Suhayl said: “Our family learned it, so they used to say it every night. A girl among them was bitten, but she did not feel any pain.”

Narrated by Ahmad (no. 7898) and al-Tirmidhi (no. 3604) — the wording is his — from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him).
Authenticated in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ (no. 6427) and Ṣaḥīḥ al-Targhīb wa-l-Tarhīb (no. 652).

Brief Explanation of the Hadith

The Prophet — may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him — guided his Ummah to a great evening remembrance that is among the means of protection and safety, by Allah’s permission. Whoever says three times in the evening: “I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created” will not be harmed that night by a poisonous creature (the sting or bite of any venomous being such as a scorpion and the like). The meaning is: I seek refuge and take shelter in the perfect Words of Allah — free from any deficiency or flaw — which include His Names and Attributes. It is also said that it refers to His revealed speech, such as the divine revelation, for it is among the greatest means by which one seeks protection.
This is a general supplication that includes seeking refuge from all types of evils — whether from humans or jinn, visible or hidden, tangible or intangible — such as poison, stings, harmful creatures, whispers, worries, and other forms of harm. It is reported in the narration of Suhayl — one of the transmitters of the ḥadīth — that their families would recite this supplication every night, and that a young girl among them was stung but felt no pain. This confirms the effect of this dhikr in repelling harm by Allah’s permission, and it is an example of “divine medicine” that prevents calamities, and if they do occur, lessens their impact.
Some scholars recommended saying it in the morning as well, and also when arriving at a new place — based on the ḥadīth of Khawlah bint Ḥakīm (may Allah be pleased with her) that whoever says it upon arriving at a dwelling will not be harmed by anything until he departs.
The greatest benefit of this dhikr is that it is a divine protection that will only be effective when accompanied by presence of heart, sincere reliance upon Allah, good expectation of Him, certainty in His promise, and belief in His words.

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