The following 2 narrations clearly prove that we can and should seek protection of the Prophet (saww) in the form of a dua as taught by the AhlulBait (as):

Hadith 1:

علي بن إبراهيم، عن أبيه، عن بعض أصحابه، عن مفضل بن عمر قال: قال لي أبوعبدالله عليه السلام: إن استطعت أن لاتبيت ليلة حتى تعوذ بأحد عشر حرفا؟ قلت: أخبرني بها؟ قال: قل: " أعوذ بعزة الله وأعوذ بقدرة الله وأعوذ بجلال الله وأعوذ بسلطان الله وأعوذ بجمال الله وأعوذ بدفع الله وأعوذ بمنع الله وأعوذ بجمع الله وأعوذ بملك الله وأعوذ بوجه الله وأعوذ برسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله من شر ما خلق وبرأ وذرأ وتعوذ به كلما شئت

Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from certain individuals of his people from Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar who has said the following:

"Abu Abd-Allah Imam Sadiq (as), said to me, "If you can, do not go to sleep without seeking protection with eleven letters."

I then asked, "What are they?" The Imam told me to say, "I seek protection with the majesty of Allah, I seek protection with the power of Allah, I seek protection with the glory of Allah, I seek protection with the authority of Allah, I seek protection with the beauty of Allah, I seek protection with the defense of Allah, I seek protection with the prevention of Allah, I seek protection with the community of Allah, I seek protection with the possession of Allah, I seek protection with the face of Allah, I seek protection with the Messenger of Allah against the evil of whatever He has created, spread and settled."

The Imam said, "You may seek protection with these letters whenever you like."

[Source: al-Kafi, Vol. 2, Pg. 537-538, Chapter - 'Prayer before sleeping and after waking up', Hadees. 9]

Hadith 2:

علي بن إبراهيم، عن أبيه، عن ابن أبي عمير، عن إبراهيم بن عبدالحميد عن رجل قال: دخلت على أبي عبدالله عليه السلام فشكوت إليه وجعابي فقال: قل: بسم الله ثم امسح يدك عليه وقل: أعوذ بعزة الله وأعوذ بقدرة الله وأعوذبجلال الله وأعوذ بعظمة الله وأعوذ بجمع الله وأعوذ برسول الله وأعوذ بأسماء الله من شر ما أحذر ومن شر ما أخاف على نفسي " تقولها سبع مرات، قال: ففعلت فاذهب الله وعز و جل [بها] الوجع عني

Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu Umayr from Ibrahim ibn Abd al-Hamid from a man who has said the following:

"Once I went in the presence of Abu Abd-Allah (as), and complained to him from a pain that I suffered. The Imam instructed me to say, "In the name of Allah, wipe your hand on the painful area and say, "I seek protection through the power of Allah, I seek protection through the glory of Allah, I seek protection through the greatness of Allah, I seek protection through the community of Allah, I seek protection through the Messenger of Allah, I seek protection through the names of Allah, against the evil of that which I avoid (cautious of) and from the evil of that from which I fear for myself,  say it seven times. I (the narrator) followed the instruction and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, removed the pain from me."

[Source: al-Kafi, Vol. 2, Pg. 566, Chapter - 'Supplications for ailments and diseases', Hadees. 8]