✿ Written by: Shaykh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbānī ḥafiẓahullāh
While praying behind the imam during Tarāwīḥ, is it permissible to say "Aʿūdhu billāh" if sleepiness or distracting thoughts occur?
It is narrated from ʿUthmān ibn Abī al-ʿĀṣ رضي الله عنه:
“I said: O Messenger of Allah! Verily, the devil comes between me and my prayer and my recitation, and he confuses it for me.”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied:
“That is a devil called Khanzab. When you feel his presence, seek refuge with 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)
Based on this authentic ḥadīth, it is permissible to recite:
«أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ»
“I seek refuge with Allah”
during prayer, if one is afflicted with waswasah (satanic whispers).
✔ Waswasah in Prayer:
Saying "Aʿūdhu billāh" is permissible to repel Satan if one feels distracted.
✔ Mild Drowsiness:
Try to maintain focus and complete the prayer.
✔ Severe Sleepiness:
Pause and sleep first; then pray with attentiveness.
❖ Question:
While praying behind the imam during Tarāwīḥ, is it permissible to say "Aʿūdhu billāh" if sleepiness or distracting thoughts occur?
❖ Answer:
It is narrated from ʿUthmān ibn Abī al-ʿĀṣ رضي الله عنه:
“I said: O Messenger of Allah! Verily, the devil comes between me and my prayer and my recitation, and he confuses it for me.”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied:
“That is a devil called Khanzab. When you feel his presence, seek refuge with 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
Based on this authentic ḥadīth, it is permissible to recite:
«أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ»
“I seek refuge with Allah”
during prayer, if one is afflicted with waswasah (satanic whispers).
❖ Regarding Sleepiness During Prayer
- If sleepiness overpowers a person to the extent that he can no longer recognize what he is saying,
then it is better to rest first and pray afterward. - However, if sleep is not overwhelming, one should complete the prayer and strive to fight off laziness and heedlessness.
❖ Summary
✔ Waswasah in Prayer:
Saying "Aʿūdhu billāh" is permissible to repel Satan if one feels distracted.
✔ Mild Drowsiness:
Try to maintain focus and complete the prayer.
✔ Severe Sleepiness:
Pause and sleep first; then pray with attentiveness.
