How to combat waswasah (whispers) in prayer?
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Question:
It is not hidden from you that Satan’s whispers to a person occur in all his states, and especially in prayer. So, is it permissible for me, when Satan comes to me in prayer, to say, for example, "La ilaha illa Allah" (There is no god but Allah), or "A'udhu billahi min al-Shaytan al-Rajim" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan), in order to drive away that whisper?
Answer:
Satan, as Allah the Exalted said, is a clear enemy who must be fought. He said: [Fatir: 6], and He said: [Al-A'raf: 200]. So, when the whispers come, it is prescribed for you to seek refuge in Allah and to remember Him the Exalted. This is part of the medicine and the cure. So, if you say "La ilaha illa Allah," or "A'udhu billahi min al-Shaytan al-Rajim," or "O Allah, protect me from the accursed Satan," or "O Allah, save me from the accursed Satan," all of this is prescribed for you, even in prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when Uthman ibn Abi al-As came to him and said, "O Messenger of Allah, Satan has confused my prayer for me," he said to him (peace and blessings be upon him): . Uthman said, "So I did that, and Allah removed it from me, and I was in prayer."
And Allah has prescribed in prayer that you say "A'udhu billahi min al-Shaytan al-Rajim" when reciting, and that you mention Allah. So, if you find these whispers, you must fight the enemy of Allah. You must be strong in fighting the enemy of Allah, and you must leave these whispers and turn to your prayer and to what Allah has prescribed for you in it. If they do not go away, say "A'udhu billahi min al-Shaytan, La ilaha illa Allah," or "A'udhu billahi min al-Shaytan," or "Subhan Allah" (Glory be to Allah). All of this is of the nature of prayer and does not harm. All of this is commanded for the treatment of the enemy of Allah. And if you perform the seeking of refuge, it is more complete: you spit to your left three times and say "A'udhu billahi min al-Shaytan al-Rajim" three times in prayer, and the enemy of Allah will go away from you. If he sees strength from you, he will leave. And if he sees that you are soft and you accept his whispers and submit to him, he will hope for you and destroy you, and he will make you like the insane. So, you must be strong and cautious of him, and occupy yourself with everything Allah has prescribed for you, along with seeking refuge in Allah from him, even in prayer.
It is not hidden from you that Satan’s whispers to a person occur in all his states, and especially in prayer. So, is it permissible for me, when Satan comes to me in prayer, to say, for example, "La ilaha illa Allah" (There is no god but Allah), or "A'udhu billahi min al-Shaytan al-Rajim" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan), in order to drive away that whisper?
Answer:
Satan, as Allah the Exalted said, is a clear enemy who must be fought. He said:
Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy. He only invites his party to be among the companions of the Blaze.
إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا إِنَّمَا يَدْعُو حِزْبَهُ لِيَكُونُوا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِAnd if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in Allah
وَإِمَّا يَنْزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِIf you find that, spit to your left three times, and seek refuge in Allah from Satan.
إذا وجدتَ ذلك فانفث عن يسارك ثلاثًا، واستعذ بالله من الشيطانAnd Allah has prescribed in prayer that you say "A'udhu billahi min al-Shaytan al-Rajim" when reciting, and that you mention Allah. So, if you find these whispers, you must fight the enemy of Allah. You must be strong in fighting the enemy of Allah, and you must leave these whispers and turn to your prayer and to what Allah has prescribed for you in it. If they do not go away, say "A'udhu billahi min al-Shaytan, La ilaha illa Allah," or "A'udhu billahi min al-Shaytan," or "Subhan Allah" (Glory be to Allah). All of this is of the nature of prayer and does not harm. All of this is commanded for the treatment of the enemy of Allah. And if you perform the seeking of refuge, it is more complete: you spit to your left three times and say "A'udhu billahi min al-Shaytan al-Rajim" three times in prayer, and the enemy of Allah will go away from you. If he sees strength from you, he will leave. And if he sees that you are soft and you accept his whispers and submit to him, he will hope for you and destroy you, and he will make you like the insane. So, you must be strong and cautious of him, and occupy yourself with everything Allah has prescribed for you, along with seeking refuge in Allah from him, even in prayer.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.