PROTECTION FROM EVILSThese days supernatural phenomenon is stressed in most modern fiction, movies, and TV programs. Many people 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 or beyond scientific understanding. Therefore, what is supernatural seems inherently mysterious and therefore sometimes scary. Generally 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 Muhammadﷺ. 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, Envy and jealousy of others and Evil eye.
Jinn and demonsThe 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, as mentioned in Quran Surah Araf 7:27. 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 othersDestructive 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
Witchcraft and sorceryWitchcraft 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.
QuranIn 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 Surah Baqrah 2:216
Second, Allah is Just. He tells us, “… And your Lord will not wrong anyone.” Quran Surah Kahf 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 Surah Talaq 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(duas) for protection narrated from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
General invocations to safeguardGeneral 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(duas) 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.
Several invocations along with their benefits, that help protect a person from harm.
Morning and Evening InvocationsKeep in mind that “Morning” starts with Fajr time and “Evening” starts with Asr time.
Reciting ayatul KursiAllaahu laa 'ilaaha 'illaa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoom, laa ta'khuzuhu sinatun wa laa nawm, lahu maa fis-samaawaati wa maa fil-'arz, man zalazee yashfa'u 'indahu 'illaa bi'iznih, ya'lamu maa bayna 'aydeehim wa maa khalfahum, wa laa yuheetoona bishay'im-min 'ilmihi 'illaa bimaa shaa'a, wasi'a kursiyyuhus samaawaati wal'ardh, wa laa ya'ooduhu hifzuhumaa, wa Huwal- 'Aliyyul- 'Azeem.
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.”Al-Hakim 1 / 562, Al-Albani graded it as authentic in Sahihut-Targhib wat-Tarhib 1/273
Last 3 Surahs of QuranRecite the following three surahs (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.”Abu Dawud Vol.4/322, and At-Tirmithi Vol.5/567. See Al-Albani's Sahih At-Tirmithi 3/182.
Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem. Qul Huwallaahu 'Ahad. Allaahus-Samad. Lam yalid wa lam yoolad. Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan 'ahad.
Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem. Qul 'a'oozu birabbil-falaq. Min sharri ma khalaq. Wa min sharri ghaasiqin 'izaa waqab. Wa min sharrin-naffaathaati fil-'uqad. Wa min sharri haasidin 'izaa hasad.
Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem. Qul 'a'oozu birabbin-naas. Malikin-naas. 'Ilaahin-naas. Min sharril-waswaasil- khannaas. Allazee yuwaswisu fee sudoorin-naas. Minal-jinnati wannaas.
Recite three times in Arabic in the morning and evening
“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.” Abu Dawud 5088, At-Tirmithi Vol.6:3388, Ibn Majah Vol5. 3869. And there are many other supplications of morning and evening.
Invocations Before Sleeping
Invocation for leaving the home“Bismillaahi, tawakkaltu ‘alallaah, 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.” Sunan abi Dawud 5095
Invocation for entering the homeSaying Assalamualaikum, as mentioned in Quran surah Nur 24:27
Invocation for entering the toilet“Bismillaahi Allaahumma innee a’oozu bika minal-khubsi wal khabaa-is”
“I begin with the Name of Allah. O Allah, I seek protection in You from the male and female unclean spirits.” Sunan Abi Dawud , Book 1, Hadith 4, 6
Invocation for protecting the house from the devilProphet Muhammadﷺsaid: “Allah inscribed a book two thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, from which the last two ayath of Surah al-Baqarah were revealed. If they are recited, no Satan (devil) will come near the house for three nights.” So try to recite these two ayath(Quran 2:285-286) once every three days. Jami at Tirmidhi 2882
Invocation for protection while staying at home or any placeWhen at home or when you are resting or staying at any place, such as when camping or picnicking, you can recite:
“A’oozu 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.”
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 innovation, he would not have been stung. This invocation also protects a person from physical harm befalling him or her. Sahih Muslim 2708 and Sunan Abi Dawud 3898
See alsoDevils Plot; Ruqyah; Dua;
References |
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. Proof of Evil eye is mentioned in Qur’an.Surah Qalam 68:51.