Adapted from the book “Awliya Allah Ki Pehchaan” by Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi
One way to protect oneself from Satan is to read and contemplate the stories of the Prophets.
Allah the Exalted says:
﴿وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا أَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ بِنُصْبٍ وَعَذَابٍ﴾
[Surah Saad: 41]
“And remember Our servant Ayub (Job), when he called out to his Lord, ‘Indeed, Satan has touched me with distress and torment.’”
Seeking Allah’s protection, making Du‘ā, showing gratitude for His blessings, performing Hijrah (migration for the sake of Allah), engaging in Jihād, and taking guidance from the Qur'an are key strategies in the fight against Satan.
Allah the Exalted says:
﴿فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ﴾
[Surah An-Nahl: 98–116]
“When you recite the Qur'an, seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan...”
This comprehensive passage highlights various themes:
Allah says:
﴿وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ﴾
[Surah Al-A‘raf: 200]
“And if a whisper from Satan afflicts you, seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
✔ Narrated by ‘Uthman ibn Abi Al-‘Aas (رضي الله عنه):
He said: “O Messenger of Allah, Satan comes between me and my prayer and my recitation, confusing me.”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“That is a devil called Khanzab. When you feel his presence, seek refuge in Allah and spit lightly to your left three times.”
[Sahih Muslim: 2203]
✔ Narrated by Hudhayfah (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Satan makes food lawful for himself when the name of Allah is not mentioned over it.”
[Sahih Muslim: 2017]
✔ Narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“When any of you stands for prayer, Satan comes to him and confuses him until he forgets how many units he prayed. If this happens, let him perform two prostrations while sitting.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 1232]
❶ Establishing a strong relationship with Allah
❷ Acquiring knowledge of the Qur'an and Sunnah, acting upon it, and holding firmly to it
❸ Entering Islam completely and wholeheartedly
❹ Prostrating when overwhelmed by whispers
❺ Engaging in the remembrance (dhikr) of Allah
❻ Reciting Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Naas
❼ Keeping the company of righteous and pious people
❽ Reciting Ayat al-Kursi regularly
❾ Suppressing yawns and avoiding loud sounds while yawning
❿ Removing doubts and suspicions
⓫ Constant repentance (tawbah) and seeking forgiveness
⓬ Avoiding idle talk and actions (laghw)
⓭ Staying away from heedless people
⓮ Practicing sincerity (ikhlas)
⓯ Following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
⓰ Strong faith in Allah (iman)
⓱ Having trust in Allah (tawakkul)
⓲ Adopting taqwa (God-consciousness)
⓳ Reciting the Qur’an regularly
⓴ Avoiding environments and elements that open pathways to satanic influence
❖ Reflecting on the Stories of the Prophets
One way to protect oneself from Satan is to read and contemplate the stories of the Prophets.
Allah the Exalted says:
﴿وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا أَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ بِنُصْبٍ وَعَذَابٍ﴾
[Surah Saad: 41]
“And remember Our servant Ayub (Job), when he called out to his Lord, ‘Indeed, Satan has touched me with distress and torment.’”
❖ Seeking Refuge in Allah and Taking Preventive Measures
Seeking Allah’s protection, making Du‘ā, showing gratitude for His blessings, performing Hijrah (migration for the sake of Allah), engaging in Jihād, and taking guidance from the Qur'an are key strategies in the fight against Satan.
Allah the Exalted says:
﴿فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ﴾
[Surah An-Nahl: 98–116]
“When you recite the Qur'an, seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan...”
This comprehensive passage highlights various themes:
- Satan has no authority over believers who rely on their Lord.
- His power lies only over those who take him as a companion and commit shirk.
- Gratitude for Allah’s blessings protects a nation from divine punishment.
- Avoid declaring anything Halal or Haram without knowledge.
- True guidance comes only from Allah, and those who disbelieve remain misguided.
❖ Seeking Refuge During Satanic Whisperings
Allah says:
﴿وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ﴾
[Surah Al-A‘raf: 200]
“And if a whisper from Satan afflicts you, seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
❖ Authentic Hadith on Seeking Protection from Satan
✔ Narrated by ‘Uthman ibn Abi Al-‘Aas (رضي الله عنه):
He said: “O Messenger of Allah, Satan comes between me and my prayer and my recitation, confusing me.”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“That is a devil called Khanzab. When you feel his presence, seek refuge in Allah and spit lightly to your left three times.”
[Sahih Muslim: 2203]
✔ Narrated by Hudhayfah (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Satan makes food lawful for himself when the name of Allah is not mentioned over it.”
[Sahih Muslim: 2017]
✔ Narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“When any of you stands for prayer, Satan comes to him and confuses him until he forgets how many units he prayed. If this happens, let him perform two prostrations while sitting.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 1232]
❖ Additional Methods of Protection from Satan
❶ Establishing a strong relationship with Allah
❷ Acquiring knowledge of the Qur'an and Sunnah, acting upon it, and holding firmly to it
❸ Entering Islam completely and wholeheartedly
❹ Prostrating when overwhelmed by whispers
❺ Engaging in the remembrance (dhikr) of Allah
❻ Reciting Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Naas
❼ Keeping the company of righteous and pious people
❽ Reciting Ayat al-Kursi regularly
❾ Suppressing yawns and avoiding loud sounds while yawning
❿ Removing doubts and suspicions
⓫ Constant repentance (tawbah) and seeking forgiveness
⓬ Avoiding idle talk and actions (laghw)
⓭ Staying away from heedless people
⓮ Practicing sincerity (ikhlas)
⓯ Following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
⓰ Strong faith in Allah (iman)
⓱ Having trust in Allah (tawakkul)
⓲ Adopting taqwa (God-consciousness)
⓳ Reciting the Qur’an regularly
⓴ Avoiding environments and elements that open pathways to satanic influence
