Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
So when you want to recite the Qur’ân, seek refuge with Allâh from Shaitân (Satan), the outcast (the cursed one).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَإِذَاfa-idhāSo when
قَرَأْتَqaratayou recite
ٱلْقُرْءَانَl-qur'ānathe Quran
فَٱسْتَعِذْfa-is'taʿidhseek refuge
بِٱللَّهِbil-lahiin Allah
مِنَminafrom
ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِl-shayṭānithe Shaitaan
ٱلرَّجِيمِl-rajīmithe accursed
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah98){فَاِذَاقَرَاْتَالْقُرْاٰنَفَاسْتَعِذْبِاللّٰهِ …:} The source of guidance is the Noble Qur’an, while the source of misguidance is Satan, who is the greatest enemy of man. He cannot tolerate a person reciting the Qur’an in any way, so he tries to prevent him from reciting the Qur’an at all costs, and if someone begins to recite, he tries to mislead him by casting whisperings into his heart. Therefore, it is said that when you begin to recite the Qur’an, seek Allah’s protection from Satan. From this, it is understood that before reciting the Qur’an, it is necessary to supplicate for Allah’s protection with {’’أَعُوْذُبِاللّٰهِمِنَالشَّيْطٰنِالرَّجِيْمِ‘‘} or similar words, because only He can keep us safe from this oppressor. There are human Satans as well as jinn Satans. (See Al-An’am: 112) Along with supplicating for protection from them, it is also necessary to adopt means to avoid them. If a person maintains association and heartfelt friendship with them and considers himself safe from them just by reciting {’’أَعُوْذُبِاللّٰهِ‘‘}, then his example is like that of a person who seeks Allah’s protection from cannonballs without taking cover from them, and considers himself safe from the cannonballs.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
98. 1. Although the address is to the Prophet, the audience is the entire Ummah. That is, at the beginning of recitation, اَعُوْذُباللّٰہِمِنَالشَّیْطٰنِالرَّجِیْمِ should be recited.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
So when you recite the Quran, seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed [102].
[102] Reciting Ta'awwuz Before Recitation:
The reality of faith and the source of knowledge of righteous deeds is the Quran itself; therefore, the recitation of the Quran is in itself a very great righteous deed, as it is mentioned in the ahadith: ﴿خَيْرُكُمْمَنْتَعَلَّمَالْقُرْآنَوَعَلَّمَهُ﴾ (The best among you is the one who learns the Quran and then teaches it to others). Among the etiquettes of reciting the Quran is that before starting the recitation, ﴿اَعُوْذُباللّٰهِمِنَالشَّيْطٰنِالرَّجِيْمِ﴾ should be recited, meaning: I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan, or I come into the protection of Allah. Refuge is generally sought from something harmful or from an enemy, and it is sought from such a being who is more powerful than that harmful thing or enemy. Since Satan can imperceptibly influence the mind of the one reciting, and during the recitation can involve him in misleading whispers and crooked thinking, therefore, it has been commanded to seek Allah’s protection from the whisperings of Satan, before whom Satan is completely powerless. In other words, this supplication is actually a prayer to obtain correct guidance from the Quran, while Satan’s utmost effort is that no one should be able to obtain guidance from the Quran.