Protection from Evil
These days supernatural phenomenon is stressed in most modern fiction, movies, and TV programs. Everyone has read about witches, sorcerers, vampires, wandering spirits, and werewolves. While much of it is just that – fiction, according to Islamic teachings, there is an element of truth to the supernatural phenomenon. Some people may have direct experience of the horror out there, who have always had questions, but never had the right answers.
First we need to understand what is meant by supernatural phenomenon. “The Supernatural” is what lies outside nature and hence outside science as well. Therefore, what is supernatural seems inherently mysterious and therefore scary. Human beings fear what they do not know.
Therefore, to sort out fact from fiction, we rely on the only true source of supernatural knowledge, and that is Allah’s revelation contained in the Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. Once we understand that the supernatural can be understood through revelation, we conquer our fear of the unknown as we learn ways Allah has taught us to keep us safe and protected.
According to Islamic teachings, the following are the major sources of supernatural harm:
Jinn and demons
The jinn are real and they are creatures created by Allah. Among them are demons (disbelieving jinn) and believers. They can see us but we cannot see them. Demons can attack human beings and terrorize them. A demon may also possess the body of a human because it either fell in love with the human or to harm him, or possibly another reason.
Envy and jealousy of others
Destructive envy means wishing that a blessing that Allah has given another person be taken away. Wishing to have what somebody else has (an object or skill) is not envy, desiring it to be taken away from them is what makes it destructive.
“Evil eye”
The “evil eye” is when a person hurts another with his “stare.” The starting point is when the person likes something, and then by repeatedly looking at the object of his jealousy, his evil feelings affect it. To clarify this in a more simple tone, if a person is in the presence of someone whom he wishes to marry, and she happens to smile in his direction, the individual may feel lightheaded and even dizzy at that point; likewise, when a person is standing before someone whom he fears, such as his boss, and he dreads that he will be fired, and he is suddenly called, that person will feel a slight sensation of pain and may even faint. The evil eye incorporates this aspect, as well it goes beyond by the nature of one’s self…the jealousy and pure hatred a person has for a blessing someone is blessed with and the burning desire that he has to see it removed. Everyone who puts the “evil eye” on another is envious, but everyone who envies does not put the “evil eye” on another.
Witchcraft and sorcery
Witchcraft and sorcery are real and may affect people psychologically and physically, so that they become sick and even husbands and wives can be separated. Most of it is done by means of Shirk and by offering demons what they love.
The truth is that in and of itself, nothing is capable of hurting you unless Allah allows it to. In other words, you should have a firm belief that Allah is in control, not any created being. That is why, a Muslim should not let paranoia, anxiety, doubts, suspicion, and excessive fear of the paranormal overwhelm him so much that he becomes afflicted with psychological illnesses. One should think positively about Allah and understand that whatever befalls only happens by the permission of Allah. Evil is not outside of Allah’s control. There is no sorcerer, demon, or “evil eye” that is stronger than Allah. Since, He is in control, He alone is able to ward off harm and relieve distress. If this is understood, a person will turn to Allah and put his complete faith in Him.
In order to properly trust Allah, a Muslim must have the correct belief and knowledge. First, Allah knows what’s best. Allah says in the Quran,
“… Perhaps you may dislike something and it is good for you and you may like something and it is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know.” (Quran 2:216)
Second, Allah is Just. He tells us,
“… And your Lord will not wrong anyone.” (Quran 18:49)
Third, Allah is sufficient for anyone who puts their trust in Him. He has declared,
“…And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him...” (Quran 65:3)
A Muslim can protect himself by giving up sins, carrying out obligatory religious duties, having strong faith in Allah, by putting his trust in Him as explained above, and seeking refuge with Him by reciting the prayers for protection narrated from Prophet Muhammad.
What will follow in the next lesson are general invocations to keep us safe and protected from evil. They also protect us from harmful things in general and from the whispers of Satan who puts doubts and invites us to falsehood and sin. Think of them as over the counter medicine like a general painkiller. There are specific prayers as well, like doctor prescribed medicines, but they are used only for someone who has been diagnosed with a specific ailment. Please make a habit of saying these prayers daily. Like a daily multivitamin or a nutritious diet is good for your body, they will offer you spiritual protection as long as you maintain strong faith and stay away from sins like alcohol, drugs, gambling, etc. Keep in mind that they will not be effective if you do not pray or indulge in major sins.
1. Morning and Evening Invocations
Keep in mind that “Morning” starts with Fajr time and “Evening” starts with Asr time. To find Fajr and Asr times according to your city, visit www.islamicfinder.org.
(a) The verse of Al-Kursi (Quran 2:255)
Transliteration
Translation
Allaahu laa ilaaha illaa Huwa
Allah – there is no true god except Him
Al-Hayyul-Qayyoom,
The Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all existence
Laa ta khuthuhu sinatun wa laa nawm
Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep
Lahu maa fis-samaawaati wa maa fil-ardh
To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth
Man thal-lathee yashfa’u ‘indahu illaa bi ithnih
Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?
Ya’lamu maa bayna aydeehim wa maa khalfahum
He knows what is present before them and what will be after them
Wa laa yuheetoona bishay-in min ‘ilmihi illaa bimaa shaa’a
and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills
Wasi’a kursiyyuhus samaawaati wal-ardh wa laa yaooduhu hifdhuhumaa
His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and its preservation tires Him not
Wa Huwal- ‘Aliyyul- ‘Adheem
And He is the Most High, the Most Great.
The Prophet said, “Whoever says this when he rises in the morning will be protected from jinns until he retires in the evening, and whoever says it when retiring in the evening will be protected from them until he rises in the morning.”[1]
Recite the following three surahs (chapters of Quran) three times each in Arabic. The Prophet said, “Whoever recites these three times in the morning and in the evening, they will suffice him (as a protection) against everything.”[2]
(b) Al-Ikhlaas (Quran, chapter 112)
Transliteration
Translation
Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem
I begin with the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
Qul Huwallaahu Ahad
Say, “He is Allah, (who is) One.
Allaahus-Samad
Allah, the Eternal Refuge.
Lam yalid wa lam yoolad
He neither gives birth nor is born,
Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad
nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
(c) Al-Falaq (Quran, chapter 113)
Transliteration
Translation
Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem.
I begin with the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
Qul a’oothu birabbil-falaq
Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak
Min sharri ma khalaq
From the evil of that which He created
Wa min sharri ghaasiqin itha waqab
And from the evil of darkness when it settles
Wa min sharrin-naffaathaati fil-’uqad
And from the evil of the blowers in knots
Wa min sharri haasidin ithaa hasad
And from the evil of an envier when he envies.”
(d) An-Naas (Quran, chapter 114)
Transliteration
Translation
Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem.
I begin with the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
Qul a’oothu birabbin-naas
Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind
Malikin-naas
The King of mankind
Ilaahin-naas
The God of mankind
Min sharril-waswaasil-khannaas.
from the evil of the retreating whisperer
Allathee yuwaswisu fee sudoorin-naas
who whispers evil into the breasts of mankind
Minal-jinnati wannaas
from among the jinn and mankind.”
(e) Recite three times in Arabic in the morning and evening:
“Bismillaahil-lathee laa yadhurru ma’as-mihi shay’un fil-ardhi wa laa fis-samaa’i wa Huwas-Samee ‘ul- ‘Aleem”
“I begin with the Name of Allah, Who with His Name nothing can cause harm in the earth nor in the heavens, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”
“Whoever recites it three times in the morning will not be afflicted by any calamity before evening, and whoever recites it three times in the evening will not be overtaken by any calamity before morning.”[3]
2. Invocations Before Sleeping
a) Cup your palms together, and recite the same three chapters of the Quran mentioned earlier (Chapter 112, 113 and 114). Then blow in your hands and pass them over as much of your body as you can reach, beginning with the head and the face, then the entire front of your body. Do this three times.[4]
b) Recite the verse of Al-Kursi (Quran, 2:255), which is also mentioned above. Prophet Muhammad said, “Whoever reads this when he lies down to sleep will have a guardian from Allah remain with him and Satan will not be able to come near him until he rises in the morning.[5]
3. Invocation for leaving the home
“Bismillaahi, tawakkaltu ‘alallaahi, wa laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah”
“I begin with the Name of Allah, I have placed my trust in Allah, there is no might and no power except by Allah.”[6]
4. Invocation for entering the home
“Bismillaahi walajnaa, wa bismillaahi kharajnaa, wa ‘alaa Rabbinaa tawakkalnaa”
“In the Name of Allah we enter, in the Name of Allah we leave, and upon our Lord we depend (then say As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum to those present).”[7]
The Prophet said that one should mention the Name of Allah when entering the home and when beginning to eat, and that the devil upon hearing this says: “There is neither shelter for us here tonight nor food.”
5. Invocation for entering the toilet
“Bismillaahi Allaahumma innee a’oothu bika minal-khubthi wal khabaa-ith”
“I begin with the Name of Allah. O Allah, I seek protection in You from the male and female unclean spirits.”[8]
6. Invocation for protecting the house from the devil
Prophet Muhammad said: “Allah inscribed a book two thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, from which the last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah were revealed. If they are recited, no Satan (devil) will come near the house for three nights.”[9] So try to recite these two verses once every three days.
The last two verses of chapter 2 (Quran 2:285-286):
Transliteration
Translation
Aamanar-rasoolu bimaa unzila ilayhi mir-Rabbihi wal-mu-minoon
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers.
Kullun aamana billaahi wa malaa-ikatihi wa kutubihi wa rusulihi
All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying],
Laa nufarriqu bayna ahadim-mir-rusulihi
“We make no distinction between any of His messengers.”
Wa qaaloo sami’naa wa ata’naa ghufraanaka Rabbanaa wa ilaykal-maseer
And they say, “We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.”
Laa yukallifullaahu nafsan illaa wus’ahaa
Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.
Lahaa maa kasabat wa ‘alayhaa mak-tasabat
It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned.
Rabbanaa laa tu aakhithnaa in naseenaa aw akhta’naa
“Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred.
Rabbanaa wa laa tahmil ‘alaynaa isran kamaa hamaltahu ‘alal-latheena min qablinaa
Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us.
Rabbanaa wa laa tuhammilnaa maa laa taaqata lanaa bihi
Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear.
Wa’fu ‘annaa, waghfir lanaa warhamnaa
And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us.
Anta Mawlaanaa fansurnaa ‘alal-qawmil-kaafireen
You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
7. Invocation for protection while staying at home or any place:
When at home or when you are resting or staying at any place, such as when camping or picnicking, you can recite:
“A’oodhu bikalimaatil-laah al-taammah min sharri ma khalaq”
“I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of that which He has created”
Prophet Muhammad said: “Whoever stops at a place and says: ‘A’oodhu bikalimaatil-laah…’, nothing will harm him until he moves on from that place.”[10]
In another narration, a man complained to the Prophet Muhammad that he was stung by a scorpion the night before. The Prophet replied that if he had recited this invocation, he would not have been stung. This invocation also protects a person from physical harm befalling him or her.
8. Invocation when feeling afraid
In general, if a person is afraid of something or feeling scared, then he/she can recite what was mentioned above in No. 1(a) to 1(d) and No 7.
Some people tend to attribute almost all problems and calamities on paranormal things such as witchcraft, demons etc. One should not become paranoid about it and look at things in a reasonable way. However if there is clear evidence or inclination towards the presence of supernatural things happening around, then one should surely take a serious note of it and protect oneself with the prescribed prayers.
