Prevention is better than cure
—From The Ruqya and its Benefits Course, by Sh Imraan Mollagee for Tayibah institute.
Link to the class recordings: https://tayibah.co.za/audio/ruqya-and-its-benefits/
1. Fajr.
It was narrated from Samurah bin Jundab that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever offers the morning prayer, he is under the protection of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime.” [Narrated by Muslim (657), Tirmidhi (222) and (2164) ibn Majah (3946)]
2. Bathroom Etiquette
– The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “A screen will be placed between the eyes of the jinn and the ‘awrah of the sons of Adam when one of them enters the toilet, if he say:
بِاسْمِ اللّه
‘Bismillaah (In the Name of Allah)’”
[Narrated by Tirmidhi (606), Classed as Sahih by al-Albani in Sahih al-Tirmidhi, 496]
– And he said: “These toilets are visited (by jinn), so when any one of you goes to the toilet, let him say:
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ
Allahumma innee A’oodhubika minal khubthi wal khabaa ithi
O Allah, I seek protection in You from the male and female unclean spirits.
– Rinse out one’s nose three times.
Narrated Abu Huraira (radiyAllahu ‘Anhu): Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “When one of you wakes up from his sleep, let him rinse his nose three times, for the Satan spends the night inside one’s nostrils” [Agreed upon].
3. The prophetic morning and evening supplications.
Allah Says: And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech – in the mornings (after Fajr) and the evenings (after ‘Asr). And do not be among the heedless. [7:205]
– Ibn al-Qayyim said, “The morning and evening adhkar play the role of a shield; the thicker it is the more its owner will not be affected. Rather, its strength can reach to such an extent that the arrow shot at it will bounce back to affect the one who shot it.”
– ibn ‘Uthaymin said, “The morning and evening adhkar are a stronger fortress than the wall of Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj, for the one who says it while his heart is present.
– Ibn Salah said, “Whoever maintains the morning and evening adhkar, the adhkar after the prayers, and the adhkar before sleeping will be written among those “who remember Allah much.””
Ayat ul-Kursi:
اللَّهُ لا إِلَهَ إِلا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلا نَوْمٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلا بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلا بِمَا شَاءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَلا يَؤُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
Allah! There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him, the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining. Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who could possibly intercede with Him without His permission? He ˹fully˺ knows what is ahead of them and what is behind them, but no one can grasp any of His knowledge—except what He wills ˹to reveal˺. His Seat encompasses the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of both does not tire Him. For He is the Most High, the Greatest. [al-Baqarah: 02:255]
*Recite this verse once in the morning, and once in the evening. Also read it after every obligatory prayer. (Morning in this context = from after you pray Fajr salah until sunrise, and evening means after ‘Asr until Maghrib. Remember this)*
- Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever recites Ayatul Kursi after each Prescribed Salaah, nothing will be standing between him and Paradise except death.” [Narrated by an-Nasai’ in Sunan al-Kubra (9928), and authenticated by al-Albani in Silsilah as-Saheehah (2/698) no. 97. Ibn Kathir said in his Tafsir (1/676): The Isnad is according to the conditions of Bukhari. Ibn Hajr mentioned that it is authentic, see Nata’ij al-afkar: (2/281)]
- Narrated Muhammad bin Sirin, Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) put me in charge of the Zakat of Ramadan (i.e. Zakat-ul-Fitr). Someone came to me and started scooping some of the foodstuff of (Zakat) with both hands. I caught him and told him that I would take him to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ).” Then Abu Huraira told the whole narration and added “He (i.e. the thief) said, ‘Whenever you go to your bed, recite the Verse of “Al-Kursi” (2.255) for then a guardian from Allah will be guarding you, and Satan will not approach you till dawn.’ ” On that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “He told you the truth, though he is a liar, and he (the thief) himself was the Satan.” [Narrated by Bukhari (3257)]
- Narrated by Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said that he had a pile of dates from which some were disappearing, so he guarded it one night and he saw a beast that resembled a grown boy. He greeted him and he returned the greeting, and said, “What are you, a jinni or a human?” He said, “A jinni.” He said, “Stretch out your hand to me.” So he stretched out his hand and he saw that it was the paw of a dog with the hair of a dog. He said, “Is this the form of the jinn?” He said, “The jinn know that there is no man among them who is stronger than me.” He said, “What brought you here?” He said, “We heard that you love to give charity so we came for a share of your food.” He said, “What will protect us from you?” He said, “This verse that is in Surah al-Baqarah: “the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists)…” [Baqarah 2:255]. Whoever recites it in the evening will be protected from us until morning, and whoever recites it in the morning will be protected from us until the evening.” The next morning he came to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and mentioned that to him, and he said, “The evil one spoke the truth.” [Narrated by Nasaa`i in ‘Aml al-Yawm wa’l-Laylah (9448) and Ṭabaraani in al-Kabeer (541) and Ḥaakim (1/562). Classed as jayyid/good by Mundhiri in al-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb, and was classed as Ṣaḥeeḥ by Albaani in Ṣaḥeeḥ al-Targheeb (662)]
• The Mu’awwidhataan
قُلْ هُوَ اللهُ أَحَدٌ ۞ اللهُ الصَّمَدُ ۞ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ۞ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
“Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “He is Allaah—One ˹and Indivisible˺; Allaah—the Sustainer ˹needed by all˺. He has never had offspring, nor was He born. And there is none comparable to Him.” [al-Ikhlaṣ (112:1-4)]
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ۞ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ۞ وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ ۞ وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ ۞ وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ
Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak, from the evil of whatever He has created, and from the evil of the night when it grows dark, and from the evil of those ˹witches casting spells by˺ blowing onto knots, and from the evil of an envier when they envy.” [al-Falaq (113:1-5)]
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاس ۞ مَلِكِ النَّاسِ۞ إِلَهِ النَّاسِ ۞ مِن شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ ۞ الَّذِي يُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ ۞ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَ النَّاسِ
Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “I seek refuge in the Lord of humankind, the Master of humankind, the God of humankind, from the evil of the lurking whisperer—who whispers into the hearts of humankind—from among jinn and humankind.” [an-Naas: (114:1-6)]
*Recite each surah 3x in the morning.*
Benefit: “It will suffice you in all respects.”
– Abdullah bin Khubayb (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “We became thirsty and it had become dark while we were waiting for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to lead us in Prayer. Then when he came out, he took me by my hand and said: ‘Say’. I was silent. Then he (ﷺ) said again, ‘Say’, so I said, ‘What should I say?’ He said: ‘Say, He is Allah, who is One’ and the two Surahs of refuge (al-Falaq and an-Nas) when you enter upon the evening and the morning three times (each). They will suffice you against everything.” [Abu Dawud (4421) , at-Tirmithi (3528), an-Nasa’i (5361) Classified as Hasan by al-Albani]
– Uqbah bin ‘Aamir (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) has commanded me to recite al-Mu’awithaat at the end of every prayer.” [Abu Dawud (1523), an-Nasa’i (1336), Musnad (4/155), Authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih Abi Dawood]
– ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Have you not seen the verses that were revealed tonight, the like of which has never been seen? Qul a’oodhu bi Rabb il-falaq and Qul ‘aoodhu bi Rabb il-naas.”[Narrated by Muslim, 814].
• The Tahleel
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
There is none worthy of worship except Allaah alone, with no partner or associate. His is the Dominion, to Him be all praise, He gives life and causes death, and He is able to do all things.
*Recite this 10x in the morning and 10x in the evening. Also from the Sunnah is to recite the above supplication 100x during the entire day. This is a separate dhikr, so it cannot be included in the 10x which is specific for the morning/evening. So 10x during the morning, and then separately 100x during the day.*
Abu Dharr (May Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that: The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever says at the end of every Fajr prayer, while his feet are still folded before speaking: ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah, Alone without partner, to Him belongs all that exists, and to Him is the praise, He gives life and causes death, and He is powerful over all things’, ten times, then ten good deeds shall be written for him and ten evil deeds shall be wiped away from him. He shall be raised up ten degrees, he shall be in security all that day from every disliked thing, he shall be in protection from Shayṭaan, and no sin will meet him or destroy him that day, except for associating partners with Allaah.”
[Narrated by Aḥmad (29/512), Tirmidhi (3474), Nasa`i in ‘Amal al-Yawmi wal-Laylah (127). See Tamaam al-Minnah (pg. 228) and Silsilah as-Ṣaḥeeḥah (no. 2563) of ‘Allamah al-Albani.]
A narration from Abu Ayoob al-Anṣaari (May Allaah be pleased with him) mentions it being said after Fajr and after Maghrib. This was classified as Ḥasan by Albani and ibn Ḥajr. [See: Silsilah as-Ṣaḥeeḥah (no. 2563) of ‘Allamah al-Albani]
• The Following Dhikr
أَصْبَحْنَا وَأَصْبَحَ الْمُلْكُ للهِ وَالْحَمْدُ للهِ ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحَدْهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ، ربِّ أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ مَا فِي هَذَا الْيَومِ وَخَيْرَ مَا بَعْدَهُ ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا فِي هَذَا الْيَومِ وَشَرِّ مَا بَعْدَهُ ، رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْكَسَلِ ، وَسُوءِ الكِبَرِ ، رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ فِي النَّارِ وَعَذَابٍ فِي الْقَبْرِ
“We have entered upon the morning and and the dominion belongs to Allah, all the praise is for Allah, there is nothing worthy of worship except for Allah, He is alone having no partner, to Him belongs the dominion and to Him belongs the praise and He is Able to do all things. My Lord, I ask you for the good that is in this day and the good that will come after it, and I seek refuge in You from the evil in this day and the evil that will come after it, My Lord I seek refuge in You from laziness and the hardships of old age , and I seek refuge in Your from the punishment of the Hellfire and the punishment in the grave.” *Recite once in the morning and once in the evening*
Narrated by ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) used to recite the following du’aa’ in the evening: “…the above du’aa’, and he used to recite the same in the morning.” [Saheeh Muslim (4906)]
The wording of the duaa in the evening is as follows:
أَمْسَيْنَا وَأَمْسَى الْمُلْكُ ِللهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ ِللهِ ، لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ، رَبِّ أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ مَا فِي هَذِهِ الْلَّيْلَةَ وَخَيْرَ مَا بَعْدَهَا ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا فِي هَذِهِ الْلَّيْلَةَ وَشَرِّ مَا بَعْدَهَا ، رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْكَسَلِ وَسُوءِ الْكِبَرِ ، رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ فِي النَّارِ وَعَذَابٍ فِي الْقَبْر
“We have entered upon the evening and and the dominion belongs to Allah, all the praise is for Allah, there is none worthy of worship except for Allah, He is alone having no partner, to Him belongs the dominion and to Him belongs the praise and He is Able to do all things. My Lord, I ask you for the good that is in this night and the good that will come after it, and I seek refuge in You from the evil in this night and the evil that will come after it, My Lord I seek refuge in You from laziness and the hardships old age, and I seek refuge in Your from the punishment of the Hell-fire and the punishment in the grave.”
• The Following Dhikr
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَة فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ ، وَأَهْلِي وَمَالِي ، اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُرْ عَوْرَاتِي ، وَآمِنْ رَوْعَاتِي ، اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ ، وَمِنْ خَلْفِي ، وَعَنْ يَمِينِي ، وَعَنْ شِمَالِي ، وَمِنْ فَوْقِي ، وَأَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَتِكَ أَنْ أُغْتَالَ مِنْ تَحْتِي
“O Allah, I ask Thee for security in this world and in the Hereafter: O Allah! I ask Thee for forgiveness and security in my religion and my worldly affairs, in my family and my property. O Allah, conceal my faults and preserve me from anguish. O Allah, guard me from what is in front of me and behind me, from my left and from my righ, and from above me. I seek refuge in Your Greatness from being struck down from beneath me.”
*Read once in the morning and once in the evening*
Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) never failed to utter these supplications in the evening and in the morning: “..the above du’a..” [Ahmed (4644), Abu Dawood (5074), an-Nasai’ (7653 and 9951), Ibn Majah (3869). It was classified as Sahih by al-Albaani]
• The Following Dhikr
اللَّهُمَّ فَاطِرَ السَّماوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ ، رَبَّ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَمَلِيكَهُ ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ الشَّيْطَانِ وَشِرْكِهِ ، وَأَنْ أَقْتَرِفَ عَلَى نَفْسِي سُوءاً ، أَوْ أَجُرَّهُ إِلَى مُسْلِمٍ
“O Allah, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and evident, Lord of everything and its Possessor, I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but You. I seek refuge in You (O Allah) from the evil of my soul and from the evil of the devil and his helpers/shirk/plots. I seek refuge in You (O Allah) from bringing evil upon my soul and from harming any Muslim.”
*Read once in the morning and once in the evening*
Narrated Abu Hurairah that Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with them) said: “Oh Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), teach me few words I should recite in the morning and evening. He said: “Say (the above du’aa), in the morning, in the evening and when you go to bed.” [Ahmed (7762), Abu Dawood (5067), at-Tirmidhi (3529) and was classified as saheeh al-Albani in Sahih Abi Dawud]
• The Following Dhikr
بِسْمِ اللهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ ، وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
“In the Name of Allah, Who with His Name nothing can cause harm neither in the earth nor in the heavens, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”
*Read 3x in the morning and 3x in the evening*
– Aban ibn Uthman said: I heard Uthman ibn Affan (May Allah be pleased with them) say: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: If anyone says three times: “In the name of Allah, when Whose name is mentioned nothing on Earth or in Heaven can cause harm, and He is the Hearer, the Knower” he will not suffer sudden affliction till the morning, and if anyone says this in the morning, he will not suffer sudden affliction till the evening.
Aban was afflicted by some paralysis and when a man who heard the tradition began to look at him, he said to him: Why are you looking at me? I swear by Allah, I did not tell a lie about Uthman, nor did Uthman tell a lie about the Prophet (ﷺ), but that day when I was afflicted by it, I became angry and forgot to say them.
[Abu Dawood (5088), at-Tirmidhi (3388), ibn Majah (3869), classified as Sahih by at-Tirmidhi and al-Albani in Sahih Abi Dawood and Sahih at Tagheeb (655)]
– Imam Al-Qurtubi (May Allah have Mercy on him) reported a similar story, he stated: “Since I heard this narration, I have acted upon it and nothing has harmed me until I left it off. When I left it off, I was stung by a scorpion in the city at night, and I remembered that I forgot to seek refuge in Allah with those words.”
• The Following Dhikr
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَق
“I take refuge in Allah’s perfect words from the evil He has created.”
*Read 3x in the evening only.*
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever says three times when he reaches the evening: ‘I seek refuge in Allah’s Perfect Words from the evil of what he created, (A’udhu Bikalimatillahit-Tammati Min Sharri Ma Khalaq)’ no poisonous sting shall harm him that night.”(One of the narrators) Suhail said: “So our family used to learn it and they used to say it every night. A girl among them was stung, and she did not feel any pain.” [Narrated by Tirmidhi (3604)]
Another virtue of this supplication is that it should be said anytime when arriving at a new destination (anywhere even if it be a shop/work/home):
Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas narrated:
From Khawlah bint Al Hakim As-Sulamiyyah, that the Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever stops at a stopping place and then says: ‘I seek refuge in Allah’s Perfect Words from the evil of what He has created, (A’udhu Bi-Kalimatillahit-Tammati Min Sharri Ma Khalaq)’ nothing shall harm him until he departs from that stopping place of his.” [Narrated by Muslim (2709)]
For a full list of the prophetic morning adhkar:
For a full list of the prophetic evening adhkar:
4. Etiquette of eating
Eat with the right hand and say Bismillah. When a person leaves out the basmala, Shaytan shares in his meal.
Jabir b. ‘Abdullah reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: When a person enters his house and mentions the name of Allah at the time of entering it and while eating the food, Satan says (addressing himself): You have no place to spend the night and no evening meal; but when he enters without mentioning the name of Allah, the Satan says: You have found a place to spend the night, and when he does not mention the name of Allah while eating food, he (the Satan) says: You have found a place to spend the night and evening meal. [Narrated by Muslim (2018) and Abu Dawood (3765)]
The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “When any one of you eats, let him mention the name of Allaah. If he forgets to mention the name of Allaah at the beginning, then let him say
بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ
‘Bismillaahi awwalahu wa aakhirahu.’”
In the name of Allaah at the beginning and at the end
[Narrated by Tirmidhi (1858) and Abu Dawood (3767); Authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih Sunan Abi Dawood (3202)]
5. The Duaa when leaving and entering the home.
When entering the home, one should say:
بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ
In the name of Allaah
[See: Sahih Muslim (2018)]
And he should greet,
اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُه
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allaah, and His blessings
Anas ibn Maalik said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to me, ‘O my son, when you enter upon your family and say salaam, it will be a blessing for you and the members of your household.’ [Narrated by at-Tirmidhi (2698). Graded as Hasan by al-Albani in Takhreej al-Mishkat (4652)]
As for leaving the home, then The Prophet (ﷺ) said: When a man goes out of his house and says:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ لاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ
In the name of Allah, I put my trust in Allah; there is no might or power except by Allah
the following will be said to him at that time: “You are guided, defended and protected.” The devils will go far from him and another devil will say: How can you deal with a man who has been guided, defended and protected?
[Narrated by Abu Dawood (5095) – Authenticated by al-Albani.]
In another Hadeeth, Umm Salamah (the mother of the believers – may Allah be pleased with her) said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) never went out of my house without raising his eye to the sky and saying:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَضِلَّ أَوْ أُضَلَّ أَوْ أَزِلَّ أَوْ أُزَلَّ أَوْ أَظْلِمَ أَوْ أُظْلَمَ أَوْ أَجْهَلَ أَوْ يُجْهَلَ عَلَىَّ
“O Allah! I seek refuge in You lest I stray or be led astray, or slip or made to slip, or cause injustice, or suffer injustice, or do wrong, or have wrong done to me.”
[Narrated by Abu Dawood (5094) – Authenticated by al-Albani]
6. Etiquette of yawning
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Yawning is from the Shaytaan. If any of you feels the urge to yawn, let him resist it as much as possible, for if any of you says ‘Ha’ (makes a noise when yawning), the Shaytaan laughs.” [Narrated by Bukhari (3289)]
According to another Hadeeth, the Prophet (ﷺ) told us to cover our mouths with our hands when we yawn, because Shaytaan enters the mouth when a person yawns. [Narrated by Muslim (2995) and Abu Dawood (5026)]
Lessons from the above Aḥadeeth:
– We should try to suppress/resist our yawns as best as possible, because yawning if from Shaytaan.
– If we yawn, we should make sure not to make a noise or make any sounds while yawning, because this causes Shaytaan to laugh!
– We must cover our mouths when yawning, either with our hands. If we do not cover our mouths when yawning, then Shaytaan enters into our mouths!
– There is no specific Dhikr or Du’aa mentioned by the Prophet (ﷺ) to recite after yawning.
7. Supplications for sleep
– Al-Mu’awwidhataan (3 Quls)
2.1 Recite Surah al-Ikhlas, Surah al-Falaq and Surah an-Naas.
2.2 Cup your hands and then blow into them.
2.3 Rub your hands over whatever parts of your body you are able to rub, starting with your head, face and front of your body. Do that three times.
Narrated ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):
Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) went to bed every night, he used to cup his hands together and blow over it after reciting Surat Al-Ikhlas, Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas, and then rub his hands over whatever parts of his body he was able to rub, starting with his head, face and front of his body. He used to do that three times. [Sahih al-Bukhari (5017)]
– Ayat ul-Kursi
When you go to bed then recite Ayatul Kursiy and a guardian from Allah will protect you and satan won’t be able to approach you.
Refer to references above for ayat ul-Kursi.
– – Recite the last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah:
ءَامَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ كُلٌّ ءَامَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَـئِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ وَقَالُواْ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ ¤ لاَ يُكَلّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلاَّ وُسْعَهَا لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا اكْتَسَبَتْ رَبَّنَا لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَآ إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تُحَمّلْنَا مَا لاَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَآ أَنتَ مَوْلَـنَا فَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَـفِرِينَ
The Messenger ˹firmly˺ believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. They ˹all˺ believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers. ˹They proclaim,˺ “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and obey. ˹We seek˺ Your forgiveness, our Lord! And to you ˹alone˺ is the final return.”
Allah does not require of any soul more than what it can afford. All good will be for its own benefit, and all evil will be to its own loss. ˹The believers pray,˺ “Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord! Do not place a burden on us like the one you placed on those before us. Our Lord! Do not burden us with what we cannot bear. Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our ˹only˺ Guardian. So grant us victory over the disbelieving people. [al-Baqarah: 02:285-286]
Narrated Abu Mas’ud (May Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If somebody recited the last two Verses of Surat Al-Baqara at night that will be sufficient for him.” [Sahih al-Bukhari (5009)]
ibn al-Qayyim: “They will suffice him against any evil that may harm him. ” ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “I did not think that any sane person could sleep without reciting the last three verses of Surah al-Baqarah.”
– The Following Dhikr
Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
“When one of you leaves his bed then returns to it, then let him brush it off with the edge of his Izar (lower garment) three times, for indeed, he does not know what succeeded him upon it after him. When he lies down, let him say:
بِاسْمِكَ رَبِّي وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِي وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ فَإِنْ أَمْسَكْتَ نَفْسِي فَارْحَمْهَا وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا بِمَا تَحْفَظُ بِهِ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ
In Your Name, my Lord, I lay my side down, and in Your Name I raise it. And if You take my soul, then have mercy upon it, and if You release it, then protect it with that which You protect Your righteous worshippers.
And when he awakens, let him say:
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي عَافَانِي فِي جَسَدِي وَرَدَّ عَلَىَّ رُوحِي وَأَذِنَ لِي بِذِكْرِهِ
All praise is due to Allah, Who healed me in my body, and returned to me my soul, and permitted me to remember Him’” [Narrated by Tirmidhi (3401)]
Ibn Qayyim mentions that Ibn Taymiyyah said: Whosoever preserves these words will not be overtaken by fatigue in that which afflicts him from work and everything else.
– The Following Dhikr
Abdullah b.’Umar commanded a person that as he went to bed, he should say:
اللَّهُمَّ خَلَقْتَ نَفْسِي وَأَنْتَ تَوَفَّاهَا لَكَ مَمَاتُهَا وَمَحْيَاهَا إِنْ أَحْيَيْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا وَإِنْ أَمَتَّهَا فَاغْفِرْ لَهَا اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيَةَ
“O Allaah, You have created my soul and it is for You to take it in death. Its death and its life are in Your hand. If You cause it to live then protect it and if You cause it to die then forgive it. O Allah, I ask You to keep me safe and sound” [Sahih Muslim (2712)]
– The Following Dhikr
Suhail reported that Abu Salih used to command us (in these words):
When any one of you intends to go to sleep, he should lie on the bed on his right side and then say:
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمَوَاتِ وَرَبَّ الأَرْضِ وَرَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ رَبَّنَا وَرَبَّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ فَالِقَ الْحَبِّ وَالنَّوَى وَمُنْزِلَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَالإِنْجِيلِ وَالْفُرْقَانِ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ أَنْتَ آخِذٌ بِنَاصِيَتِهِ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الأَوَّلُ فَلَيْسَ قَبْلَكَ شَىْءٌ وَأَنْتَ الآخِرُ فَلَيْسَ بَعْدَكَ شَىْءٌ وَأَنْتَ الظَّاهِرُ فَلَيْسَ فَوْقَكَ شَىْءٌ وَأَنْتَ الْبَاطِنُ فَلَيْسَ دُونَكَ شَىْءٌ اقْضِ عَنَّا الدَّيْنَ وَأَغْنِنَا مِنَ الْفَقْرِ
“O Allah. the Lord of the Heavens and the Lord of the Earth and Lord of the Magnificent Throne, our Lord, and the Lord of evervthina, the Splitter of the grain of corn and the datestone (or fruit kernal), the Revealer of Torah and Injil (Bible) and Criterion (the Holy Qur’an), I seek refuge in Thee from the evil of every- thing Thou art to sieze by the forelock (Thou hast perfect control over it). O Allah, Thou art the First, there is naught before Thee, and Thou art the Last and there is naught after Thee, and Thou art Evident and there is nothing above Thee, and Thou art Innermost and there is nothing beyond Thee. Remove the burden of debt from us and relieve us from want.” Abu Salih used to narrate it from Abu Huraira who narrated it from Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ). [Sahih Muslim (2713)]
– Recite Surah al-Kaafiroon
قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ۞ لَا أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ۞ وَلَا أَنتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ۞ وَلَاأَنَا عَابِدٌ مَّا عَبَدتُّمْ۞ وَلَا أَنتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ۞ لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ
Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “O you disbelievers! I do not worship what you worship, nor do you worship what I worship. I will never worship what you worship, nor will you ever worship what I worship. You have your way, and I have my Way.” [al-Kaafiroon: (1-6)]
Farwah bin Nawfal (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that:
He came to the Prophet and said: “O Messenger of Allah, teach my something that I may say when I go to my bed.” So he said: “Recite: Say: قلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ ‘O you disbelievers’ for verily it is a disavowal of Shirk.” Shu’bah said: “Something he would say: ‘One time’ and sometime he would not say it. [Narrated by Abu Dawud (5055) and Tirmidhi (3400)]
For a full list of the prophetic adhkar for sleep: https://tayibah.co.za/resources/supplications-for-sleep-%d8%a3%d8%b0%d9%83%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%86%d9%88%d9%85/
8. Recite Surah Baqarah in your home!
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not make your houses into graves, for the Shaytaan flees from a house in which Soorat al-Baqarah is recited.” [Narrated by Muslim (780).]
– The virtue in Surah Baqarah is not only limited to the homes.
Abu Umama said he heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) say:
Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite It. Recite the two bright ones, al-Baqara and Surah Al ‘Imran, for on the Day of Resurrection they will come as two clouds or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Surah al-Baqara, for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it. (Mu’awiya said: It has been conveyed to me that here Batala means magicians.). [Narrated by Muslim (804)]
9. Removing animate pictures or statues and dogs from the home
The Prophet (ﷺ) strongly forbade hanging pictures, and he commanded his great Companion ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib, “Do not leave any picture without blotting it out and do not leave any built-up grave without levelling it.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1/66).
Hanging up pictures of animate beings deprives the people of that house of a great blessing, which is the entrance of angels into that house. It was reported from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The angels do not enter a house in which there are statues or pictures.” (Narrated by Imaam Ahmad; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1961).
You can replace them, if you wish, with pictures of inanimate objects, such as trees, mountains, oceans and other natural scenes, or other drawings of inanimate objects, without being extravagant or wasteful.
As for the pictures which are hanging, you have to remove them and blot them out or burn them; do not keep them. It is worth noting that hanging up pictures of the dead is one of the things that renews grief and serves no useful purpose; it may even lead to some kind of veneration which goes against Tawheed. Let us not forget that the shirk committed by the people of Nooh (peace be upon him) started because they set up pictures and images of some righteous people who had lived among them.
Ibn Maajah (3640) narrated from ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.
Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The scholars said: The reason why they do not enter a house in which there is an image is because it is a grievous sin, and it is competing with the creation of Allah, may He be exalted, and some of them are images of things that are worshipped instead of Allah, may He be exalted.
With regard to these angels who do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image, they are the angels who go round with mercy, blessings and prayers for forgiveness. With regard to the recording angels, they enter every house and never leave the sons of Adam under any circumstances, because they are enjoined to list and record their deeds. End quote. [Sharh Muslim, 14/84]
Muslim (2978) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever keeps a dog that is not a dog for hunting, herding livestock or farming, two qiraats will be deducted from his reward each day.”
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said in Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen, 4/241:
“With regard to keeping dogs, this is haraam and is in fact a major sin, because the one who keeps a dog, except those for which an exception has been made, will have two qiraats deducted from his reward every day.”
10. General Dhikr
The most important of all Dhikr is the recitation of the Glorious Qur’an. Allaah the Most High says:
“And when you recite the Qur’an, We put between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a concealed partition. And We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And when you mention your Lord alone in the Qur’an, they turn back in aversion.” [Israa`: 45-46].
11. Ikhlas and ‘Aqeedah
Allah the Exalted says: “So when you recite the Qur’an, [first] seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy]. Indeed, there is for him no authority over those who have believed and rely upon their Lord. His authority is only over those who take him as an ally and those who through him associate others with Allah.” [Nahl: 98-100]
An example of how weak Shaytan’s plots are against the sincere worshipper of Allah. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “O Ibn Al-Khattab! By Him in Whose Hands my life is, whenever Satan sees you taking a way, he follows a way other than yours!” [Bukhari (6085)]
Allaah Almighty says:
His people disputed with him. He said: “Do you dispute with me about Allah while He has guided me, and I fear not those whom you associate with Allah in worship. (Nothing can happen to me) except when my Lord wills something. My Lord comprehends in His knowledge all things. Will you not then remember 81. And how should I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allah, while you fear not that you have joined in worship with Allah things for which He has not sent down to you any Sultan. (So) which of the two parties has more right to be in security If you but know.” 82. It is those who believe and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided. 83. And that was Our proof which We gave Ibrahim against his people. We in degrees raise whom We will. Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing. [al-An’aam: 80-83]
Allaah Almighty says:
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُوا إِيمَانَهُم بِظُلْمٍ أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمُ الْأَمْنُ وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ
It is those who believe and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided. [al-An’aam: 82]
Ibn Kathir: Therefore, those who worship Allah alone without partners, will acquire safety on the Day of Resurrection, and they are the guided ones in this life and the Hereafter.
Al-Bukhari recorded that `Abdullah said, “When the Ayah, “and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong)” was revealed, the Companions of the Prophet said, `And who among us did not commit Zulm against himself’, the Ayah, “Verily! Joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed.” [31:13] was later revealed.”
Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah said, “When this Ayah was revealed, “It is those who believe and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong)”, it was hard on the people. They said, `O Allah’s Messenger! Who among us did not commit Zulm against himself’, he said,
‘It is not what you understood from it. Did you not hear what the righteous servant (Luqman) said’, “O my son! Join not in worship others with Allah. Verily! Shirk is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed.” [31:13]. Therefore, it is about Shirk.
Allaah is al-Mu’min (the Giver of security) and al-Muhaymin (the Watcher over His creatures); He is the Sovereign of all that exists in the universe. If Allaah loves a person for his faith then He will grant him security, tranquility and contentment. If a man disbelieves in Him He will take away his tranquility and security, so you will only see him either fearful about his destiny in the Hereafter, or fearing sickness for himself, or fearing for his future in this world. This is why the insurance business was established, to insure people’s lives and property, because of the lack of security and the lack of trust in Allaah.
• He exposes himself to the wrath and anger of Allaah in this world
He is exposed to that because disasters and calamities will befall him, as a punishment in this world. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Do then those who devise evil plots feel secure that Allaah will not sink them into the earth, or that the torment will not seize them from directions they perceive not? Or that He may catch them in the midst of their going to and fro (in their jobs), so that there be no escape for them (from Allaah’s punishment)?” [al-Nahl 16:45-46]
On the authority of Abu Abbas Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
One day I was behind the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) [riding on the same mount] and he said, “O young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice]: Be mindful of Allah and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, then ask Allah [alone]; and if you seek help, then seek help from Allah [alone]. And know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allah had already prescribed for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what Allah had already prescribed against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” It was related by at-Tirmidhi, who said it was a good and sound hadeeth. Another narration, other than that of Tirmidhi, reads: Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. Recognize and acknowledge Allah in times of ease and prosperity, and He will remember you in times of adversity. And know that what has passed you by [and you have failed to attain] was not going to befall you, and what has befallen you was not going to pass you by. And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and hardship with ease. [Narrated by Tirmidhi (2516)]
12. Say Bismillah when locking the door, closing vessels and protection for kids.
It was narrated from Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“When the wings of the night spread – or when evening comes – keep your children in, for the devils come out at that time. Then when part of the night has passed, let them go. And close the doors and mention the name of Allaah, for the shaytaan does not open a closed door. And tie up your waterskins and mention the name of Allaah, and cover your vessels and mention the name of Allaah, even if you only put something over them, and extinguish your lamps.” [Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3280) and Muslim (2012).] A version narrated by Muslim says:
“Cover vessels, tie up waterskins, close doors and extinguish lamps, for the shaytaan does not undo waterskins or open doors or uncover vessels.”
Imam al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
This hadeeth includes a number of types of goodness and etiquette which combine the interests of both this world and the Hereafter. The Prophet (ﷺ) enjoined these etiquettes which are the cause of safety from the harm of the shaytaan (devil) , and Allaah has made all of these means causes of being safe from his harm. He is not able to uncover vessels or untie waterskins or open doors or harm children or others if these means are followed. This is like what it says in the saheeh hadeeth, (authentic narration) that if a person says Bismillah when entering his house, the shaytaan (devil) says “No place to stay” i.e., we have no authority to stay overnight with these people. And if a man says when having intercourse with his wife, “O Allaah, keep the shaytaan away from us and keep the shaytaan away from what You bestow upon us (of offspring),” that will be a cause of the child being kept safe from the harm of the shaytaan. This is similar to this hadeeth, which is well known among saheeh ahaadeeth.
This hadeeth encourages us to remember Allaah in these cases and other similar situations. Our companions said: It is mustahabb (preferred) to mention the name of Allaah over everything that matters, and to praise Allaah at the beginning of everything that matters, because of the well known hasan hadeeth (sound narrations).
The words “wings of the night” is a well known phrase that refers to the darkness of the night. And it was said that it refers to when the darkness of night comes.
The words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) “Keep your children in” mean: prevent them from going out at that time.
The words “for the devils come out at that time” mean that there is the fear at this time that children may be subjected to the devils’ harm because there are so many of them at that time. And Allaah knows best .
Imam Ahmad (14482) narrated from Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Keep your children in until after it is fully dark, for that is a time when the devils come out.” The phrase “until it is fully dark” refers to the first part of the night.
13. Protection for kids.
Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him): “When any one of you want to have intercourse with his wife, let him say,
بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ جَنِّبْنَا الشَّيْطَانَ وَجَنِّبْ الشَّيْطَانَ مَا رَزَقْتَنَا
‘Bismillaah, jannibnaa al-shaytaan wa jannib al-Shaytaan ma razaqtana (In the name of Allaah.
Keep the Shaytaan away from us and from what You bestow upon us).’ Then if it is decreed that they should have a child, the Shaytaan will never be able to harm him.” [Agreed upon].
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to seek refuge for al-Hasan and al-Husayn, and he would say, “Your father [ meaning Ibraaheemm peace be upon him] used to seek refuge with Allaah for Ismaa’eel and Ishaaq with these words:
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِماتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ، مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطانٍ وَهامَّةِ، وَمِنْ كُلّ عَيْنٍ لامَّةٍ
A’oodhu bi kalimaat Allaah al-taammah min kulli shaytaanin wa haammah wa min kulli ‘aynin laammah (I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allaah, from every devil and every poisonous reptile, and from every evil eye).’” [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3191]
Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As (may Allaah be pleased with them) said, The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would to teach them the following words in the case of alarm or fear:
أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ غَضَبِهِ وَشَرِّ عِبَادِهِ وَمِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ
I seek refuge in Allah’s perfect words from His anger, the evil of His servants, the evil suggestions of the devils and their presence. [Abu Dawood (3893) Classed as Hasan by al-Albani].
• The parent should do righteous deeds.
Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “The words (interpretation of the meaning), ‘and their father was a righteous man’ [al-Kahf 18:82] indicate that the progeny of a righteous man will be protected, and the barakah (blessing) of his worship will benefit them in this world and the hereafter, and by virtue of his intercession for them, they will be raised to the highest degrees in Paradise so that he may have the joy of the company, as it says in the Qur’an and is mentioned in the Sunnah.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer (5/186-187)]
Al-Haakim (3395) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, concerning the verse in which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning), “and their father was a righteous man” [al-Kahf 18:82]: They were protected because their father was righteous; there is no mention of whether they were righteous.
[Classed by al-Haakim as saheeh according to the conditions of al-Bukhaari and Muslim; adh-Dhahabi agreed with him.]
14. Amulets
Amulets (tameemah, pl. tamaa’im) are things made from pearls or bones that are worn on the necks of children or adults, or are hung up in houses or cars, in order to ward off evil – especially the evil eye – or to bring some benefits.
It was narrated from Zaynab the wife of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood from ‘Abd-Allaah that he said:
“I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say, ‘Spells (ruqyah), amulets and love-charms are shirk.” I said, “Why do you say this? By Allaah, my eye was weeping with a discharge and I kept going to So and so, the Jew, who did a spell for me. When he did the spell, it calmed down.” ‘Abd-Allaah said: “That was just the work of the Shaytaan who was picking it with his hand, and when (the Jew) uttered the spell, he stopped. All you needed to do was to say as the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say:
أَذْهِبِ الْبَأسَ رَبَّ النَّاسِ اشْفِهِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي لاَ شِفَاءَ إِلاَّ شِفَاؤُكَ شِفَاءً لاَ يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا
‘Adhhib il-ba’s Rabb al-naas ishfi anta al-Shaafi laa shifaa’a illa shifaa’uka shifaa’an laa yughaadiru saqaman (Remove the harm, O Lord of mankind, and heal, You are the Healer. There is no healing but Your healing, a healing which leaves no disease behind.’”
[Narrated by Abu Dawood, 3883; Ibn Maajah, 3530)] This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, 331 and 2972.
It was narrated from ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir al-Juhani that a group came to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) [to swear their allegiance (bay’ah) to him]. He accepted the bay’ah of nine of them but not of one of them. They said, “O Messenger of Allaah, you accepted the bay’ah of nine but not of this one.” He said, “He is wearing an amulet.” The man put his hand (in his shirt) and took it off, then he (the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)) accepted his bay’ah. He said, ‘Whoever wears an amulet has committed shirk.” [Narrated by Ahmad, 16969)] This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 492.
It was narrated that ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Whoever wears an amulet, may Allaah not fulfil his need, and whoever wears a sea-shell, may Allaah not give him peace.” [Narrated by Ahmad, 16951)]. This hadeeth was classed as da’eef by Shaykh al-Albaani in Da’eef al-Jaami’, 5703, but classed as hasan by Shu‘ayb al-Arna’oot in Tahqeeq al-Musnad.
“‘Eisa Ibn ‘Abdur-Raman bin Abi Laila said:
“I entered upon ‘Abdullah bin ‘Ukaim Abu Mabad Al-Juhani to visit him, while he had Humrah (erysipelas). I said: ‘Why don’t you hang something?’ He said: ‘Death is better than that. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever hangs something, he is entrusted to it.” [Jami’ at-Tirmidhi (2079) – Authenticated by Albani in Sahih Tirmidhi]
Imam Haafidh al-Hakami said:
If they (amulets) contain anything other than the two revelations and instead contain mumbo-jumbo from the Jews or worshippers of the temple, stars or angels, or those who use the services of the jinn, etc., or they are made of pearls, strings, iron rings, etc., then this is shirk, i.e., hanging them up or wearing them is shirk, beyond a doubt, because they are not among the permissible means or known forms of treating disease. It is simply a belief that they will ward off such and such a problem or pain because of their so-called special features. This is like the belief of idol-worshippers concerning their idols, and they are like the azlaam (arrows) which the people of the jaahiliyyah used to take everywhere with them and consult whenever they had to make a decision. These were three arrows, on the first of which was written ‘Do’, on the second ‘Do not do’ and on the third ‘Try again.’ If the person picked out the one which said ‘Do’, he would go ahead and do that thing; if it said, ‘Do not do’, he would not do it, and if it said, ‘Try again,’ he would consult them again. Instead of this, Allaah – to Whom be praise – has given us something better, which is the prayer of Istikhaarah.
In conclusion, these amulets which do not contain Qur’aan or Sunnah are just like the azlaam in that they involve corrupt beliefs and go against the sharee’ah and are far-removed from the characteristics of Islam. Those who believe in pure Tawheed keep as far away as possible from such things. The faith in their hearts is too great to permit anything of this sort to enter their hearts. Their status is too high and their certainty of faith is too strong for them to put their trust in anyone other than Allaah or to seek the protection of anyone other than Him. And Allaah is the Source of strength.
(Ma’aarij al-Qubool, 2/510-512)
The Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas were asked about praying behind someone who writes amulets for people, and they replied: It is permissible to pray behind one who writes amulets from the Qur’an and du‘aa’s prescribed in Islam, but he should not write them because it is not permissible to wear them. But if the amulets contain any elements of shirk, one should not pray behind the one who writes that and it is essential to explain to him that this is shirk. The one who should advise him is the one who knows that he does that.
End quote from Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah, 3/65