What is the meaning of the saying of Allah the Exalted: “And say: My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the whispers of the devils, and I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they be present with me”?
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The questioner : What is the meaning of the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Mu'minun 23:97-98]?
The Shaykh : The meaning of this verse is that Allah commanded His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to ask his Lord, or rather, Allah commanded His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to seek refuge in his Lord from the whispers of the devils, which are the evil thoughts and bad suggestions they cast into the heart of a person. He also commanded him to seek refuge in his Lord from their presence in his actions, in his worship, in his food, in his drink, and in all his circumstances. The most specific instance of this is their presence at the time of death, for the devil is present at the time of death and strives with utmost effort to mislead the children of Adam, because at that moment happiness or misery is determined. We ask Allah to conclude our affairs and those of the Muslims with a good ending.
And Allah the Exalted commanded His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and this command is for him and for the Ummah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is the Messenger to be followed and the Imam to be obeyed. Accordingly, it is prescribed for us to seek refuge in Allah from the whispers of the devils and from their presence with us.
(97) And say, "My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils, (98) And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they be present with me."
وَقُلْ رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ * وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَنْ يَحْضُرُونِThe Shaykh : The meaning of this verse is that Allah commanded His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to ask his Lord, or rather, Allah commanded His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to seek refuge in his Lord from the whispers of the devils, which are the evil thoughts and bad suggestions they cast into the heart of a person. He also commanded him to seek refuge in his Lord from their presence in his actions, in his worship, in his food, in his drink, and in all his circumstances. The most specific instance of this is their presence at the time of death, for the devil is present at the time of death and strives with utmost effort to mislead the children of Adam, because at that moment happiness or misery is determined. We ask Allah to conclude our affairs and those of the Muslims with a good ending.
And Allah the Exalted commanded His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and this command is for him and for the Ummah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is the Messenger to be followed and the Imam to be obeyed. Accordingly, it is prescribed for us to seek refuge in Allah from the whispers of the devils and from their presence with us.