Ruling on Reciting “Aʿūdhu Billāh” During Prayer When Experiencing Waswasah

✿ Written by: Shaykh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbānī ḥafiẓahullāh

❖ Question:​

While praying behind the imam in Tarāwīḥ, is it permissible to say "Aʿūdhu billāh" when overcome by sleep or distracting thoughts?

❖ Answer:​

It is reported from ʿUthmān ibn Abī al-ʿĀṣ رضي الله عنه that he said:


“O Messenger of Allah! Indeed, the Shayṭān comes between me and my prayer and my recitation, and he confuses it for me.”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“That is a devil called Khanzab. When you feel his presence, seek refuge in Allah (say: Aʿūdhu billāh), and spit lightly to your left three times.”
He said: I did that, and Allah removed him from me.
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim – Kitāb as-Salām, Bāb: at-Taʿawwudh min Shayṭān al-Waswasah, 2203)

❖ Ruling Derived​

From this authentic ḥadīth, it is evident that:

• If Satanic whispers (waswasah) occur during prayer,
• It is permissible to quietly say “Aʿūdhu billāh”
• And lightly spit to the left three times to repel Shayṭān

❖ Dealing with Drowsiness in Prayer​

• If a person is so overcome by sleep that they cannot recognize what they are reciting,
  then it is better to sleep first and pray afterward with attentiveness.
• If the sleep is not overpowering, then complete the prayer and resist laziness and distraction.

❖ Summary​

✔ Reciting “Aʿūdhu billāh” is permissible during prayer when facing waswasah.


✔ For drowsiness:

• If severe: sleep and then pray
• If minor: remain alert and finish the prayer