Seeking refuge from four things – Shaykh Al-Albaani

اللّهُمَّ إنّي أعوذُ بك من علم لا ينفع ومن قلب لا يخشع ومن نفس لا تشبع ومن دعاء لا يسمع

O Allah, I seek refuge with You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that is not humbly submissive; from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that is not given a response.

[Sunan al-Nasā’ī 5537, Graded Sahīh by Al-Albānī]

This is the du’a Shaykh Albani concluded his sitting with once when he was asked about the permissibility of video taping Islamic talks since one might think the video will have a greater effect (than audio alone).

After responding that video taping also falls into that which is prohibited (excusable only by necessity or pressing need), the shaykh added an additional beautiful point of benefit–contrary to these videos (of people) being more effective, it is likely to lead to a disastrous consequence: that of callers becoming amazed by themselves and not benefiting themselves from knowledge.

It is enough evil for a person (to be afflicted by), the shaykh said, that people point him out with their fingers [like celebrities].

Wallahul musta’ān.

Silsilah al-Hudá wa al-Nūr, Tape 314

Translation of the du’a and summary of the shaykh’s speech by Mikail ibn Mahboob Ariff