8) His (Imam Sajjad's) Supplication in Seeking Refuge

1- O God, I seek refuge in Thee from the agitation of craving, the violence of wrath, the domination of envy, the frailty of patience, the lack of contentment, surliness of character, urgency of passion, the disposition to vehemence,

2- following caprice,1 opposing guidance, the sleep of heedlessness, undertaking the toilsome, preferring falsehood over truth, persisting in sin, making little of disobedience, making much of obedience,

3- vying with the wealthy, disparaging the poor, guarding badly over those in our hands, failing to thank those who have done good to us,

O God, I seek refuge in Thee from the agitation of craving, the violence of wrath, the domination of envy, the frailty of patience, the lack of contentment, surliness of character, urgency of passion, the disposition to vehemence, following caprice,1 opposing guidance, the sleep of heedlessness, undertaking the toilsome, preferring falsehood over truth, persisting in sin, making little of disobedience, making much of obedience,

4- aiding a wrongdoer, abandoning someone troubled, wanting what is not rightfully ours, and speaking about knowledge without knowing.

5- We seek refuge in Thee from harbouring dishonesty toward anyone, being pleased with our works, and stretching out our expectations.

6- We seek refuge in Thee from ill-mindedness, looking down on the small, Satan's gaining mastery over us, time's afflicting us, and the sovereign's oppressing us.

7- We seek refuge in Thee from acting with prodigality and not having sufficiency.

We seek refuge in Thee from ill-mindedness, looking down on the small, Satan's gaining mastery over us, time's afflicting us, and the sovereign's oppressing us. We seek refuge in Thee from acting with prodigality and not having sufficiency.

8- We seek refuge in Thee from the gloating of enemies, indigent need for equals, living in hardship, and dying without readiness.

9- We seek refuge in Thee from the most dreadful remorse, the greatest affliction, the most wretched wretchedness, the evil end to the journey, the deprivation of reward, and the advent of punishment.

10- O God, bless Muhammad and his Household and through Thy mercy, give to me refuge from all of that, and to all the faithful, both men and women! O Most Merciful of the merciful!

1. The term 'caprice' denotes any desire that is opposed to the truth or turns man away from the divine guidance.
Who is further astray than he who follows his own caprice without guidance from God? (28:50) Obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance, so that he follows his own caprice (18:28).
God addresses David with the command:
Judge among men by the truth, and follow not caprice (38:26).