This article is part of the book "Ruqyah - Islamic Exorcism"
Basic safety measures
The measures to protect oneself against Jinn, Magic and 'Ain are corresponding with those one should take if a problem has already occurred.
Tawheed
There is no greater protection from the trials of this world and the next than to confirm by knowing and acting that Allah is alone in His reign, in our worship of Him, and in His perfect names and attributes.
He is the master of everything, the owner, creator and provider. He is the one who gives life and death. He is the one who causes benefits and harm. He is the only one who can respond in time of an emergency. He is the one who has control over everything, and all the good is in His hand. He is the one who does everything by His will and His commandment. He knows everything and can do anything. He is Al-Qayyum (the maintainer of all) who is not overwhelmed by slumber nor sleeps. He has a will that is always executed, and wisdom that is infinite. And He is all-hearing, all-seeing, kind and merciful. To Him alone we pray, with pure devotion; with love, fear, hope, trust, longing and awe. Not a bit of our worship is to be made for anyone but Him.
When we confirm this and act accordingly, we are protected by the promise of Allah, who said:
Those who believe and obscure not their belief by wrongdoing, theirs is safety; and they are rightly guided.
[Al-Anam 82]
The Prophet s.a.w. explained that the wrongdoing mentioned here is to add to Allah something in devotion and worship. The greatest protection is therefore in Tawheed. And whoever does not have Tawheed will find no protection but is lost:
Turning unto Allah [only], not ascribing partners unto Him; for whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky and the birds had snatched him or the wind had blown him to a far-off place.
[Al-Hajj 31]
Sunnah
The struggle to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet s.a.w. is another reason for protection, without which other forms of protection will have no effect. Allah says:
Then let those beware who withstand the Messenger's order, lest some trial befall them, or a grievous penalty be inflicted on them.
[An-Nur 63]
Allah gives no protection to the one who opposes the commandments of the Prophet s.a.w., but on the contrary, he threatens him punishment.
If anyone contends with the Messenger even after guidance has been plainly conveyed to him, and follows a path other than that becoming to men of Faith, We shall leave him in the path he has chosen, and land him in Hell,- what an evil refuge!
[An-Nisa 115]
Important Sunnahs associated with Jinn are e.g.: not yawning with open mouth; not eating or drinking while standing or with left hand; travelling in community; avoiding being outside the house between the Maghrib and Isha prayer (especially important for children); lowering one's gaze before the other sex; avoiding "bad places" (for example, not staying longer in the market or the toilet as absolutely necessary); following the etiquettes of sleeping (see appendix) and so on.
The obligatory prayer
The Prophet s.a.w. said that the difference between a Muslim and a non-Muslim would be the prayer, and whoever omits it intentionally would be disbelieving. Such a person does not deserve the protection of Allah, and Allah has promised him hell (Al-Maun 4-5). One should make it as punctual as possible.
Taqwa
In a practical sense, fearing God means doing as many good deeds as one can with the right intention and in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet s.a.w., and comitting as little sins as possible. Taqwa is the most frequent advice in the Qur'ân, and there is no doubt that every good deed done is a source of protection, while every sin is a possible cause of harm:
When a single disaster smites you, although ye smote [your enemies] with one twice as great, do ye say? - "Whence is this?" Say [to them]: "It is from yourselves: For Allah hath power over all things."
[Ali Imran 165]
Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of [the meed] that the hands of men have earned, that [Allah] may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back [from Evil].
[Ar-Rum 41]
Du'a and Dhikr
One should seek the protection of Allah through Du'a (Invocation) and through recommended Dhikr (God-Remembrance). This must be done regularly and habitually, and not just for one day. It is also necessary that the heart is engaged together with the tongue, so you understand the meaning of the prayer, and that the person acts in accordance with the Du'a being done. This is the most perfect form of the remembrance of Allah.
The best form of recollection of Allah is the recitation of the Qur'ân, it contains protection from every evil. Allah says:
When thou dost recite the Qur'an, We put, between thee and those who believe not in the Hereafter, a veil invisible.
[Al-Isra' 45]
The Prophet s.a.w. told us that sorcerers are not able to act against the recitation of Sura al-Baqarah, and he told us that the recitation of the last two verses of al-Baqarah at night suffices a person. He also told us about the effect of the last two Suras of the Qur'an, al-Falaq and an-Nas as well as Sura al-Ikhlas. All these Suras and the general recitation of the Qur'an are a protection.
Protection of the house, as a means for protection of oneself
The house should be a fortress that repels the Satans. A house inviting the Satans is one in which people are not protected. Since e.g. angels enter no house, where there is a dog or a picture, the probability is very high that the house is instead entered by Satans.
The house - or the room, if the person does not have control over the whole house - should be cleansed of anything that could attract the Satans, e.g. pictures (of living creatures), inadequate movies, music, dirt and stench, including cigarettes. It should be a place of prayer, a place of learning of Islam and a place of obedience to Allah. One should keep the windows and doors closed between Maghrib and Isha prayers, and also as much as possible during the night. One should read Sura al-Baqarah and the recommended Adhkaar. One should spray the house once a month from inside and outside with Ruqyah water (see the chapter "Variant of the Ruqyah bath and cleaning the house of Jinn or magic")
Recitation of important Adhkaar
The following verses and Dhikr formulas are the most important ones that should be memorized and practiced regularly. One has to learn the following, with Arabic pronunciation. The correct pronunciation of the below-mentioned Suras as an audio file should be easily found on the Internet.
Bismillah - In the Name of Allah
It is best to say it before each activity, but always when entering and leaving the house; before the meal (since Satan can not find accommodation or food if recited), before entering the toilet; before taking off the clothes and before sexual intercourse.
Al-Fatitah - The Opening
Bismillah-hir-rahman nir rahiem. Al-hamdulillah-hir-rabbil a'lameen, ar-rahman nir-raheem, maliki yaumid-deen. Iyyaka na' budu' wa iyyaka nasta'in. Ihdinas-sirathal mustaqeem, sirathal-lasina an amta alaihim, ghairil maghduubi alaihim wa lad-dhaalleen.
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, The Beneficent, the Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment, Thee [alone] we worship; Thee [alone] we ask for help. Show us the straight path, the path of those whom Thou hast favoured; Not the [path] of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray.
Whenever one reads Qur'an, one should read this Sura first. It is said that this Sura contains the whole Qur'an. Must be recited at every Shalat and is part of every Ruqyah.
Al-Ikhlas - Purity of Faith
Qul huwal-lahu ahad, al-lahus-samad, lam yalid wa lamyuulad, wa lam yakul-lahu kufu-wan ahad.
Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him.
Al-Falaq - The dawn
Qul a'usu birabbil falaq, min scharri maa chalaq, wa min scharri ghaasiqin isa waqab, wa min scharrin-naffaasaati fil 'uqad, wa min scharri haasidin isa hasad.
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the Daybreak; from the evil of that which He created; from the evil of the darkness when it is intense, and from he evil of malignant witchcraft, and from the evil of the envier when he envieth.
An-Naas - Mankind
Qul 'ausubirabbin-naas, malikin-naas, ilaahin-naas, min sharril waswaasil channaas, allasi yuwaswisu fie shuduurin-naas, minal Jinnati wan-naas.
Say: I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of Mankind, The King of Mankind, The god [or judge] of Mankind, from the mischief of the Whisperer [of Evil], who withdraws [after his whisper], [The same] who whispers into the hearts of Mankind, Among Jinn and among men.
The three Suras above (al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and An-Naas) should be recited three times in the morning (after the Fajr prayer) and three times in the afternoon (after the 'Asr prayer). They will suffice against every single thing.
Before leaving the house it is good practice to recite them three times, blow in the hands and rub the body (and those of the children).
Al-Baqarah 255 - Ayat-ul-kursi
Allahu - la ilaaha illa huwal hayyul qayyuum, la ta'chusuhu sinatuw-wa la naum, lahu maa fis-samawaati wa maa fil ardh, man salasi yaschfa'u 'indahu illa bi isni, ya'lamu maa baina aidihim wa maa chalfahum, wa la yuhiethuuna bi shaim-min 'ilmihi illa bimaa shaa-a, wa si'a kursiyuhus-samawaati wal ardh, wa la ya uduhu hifsahuma, wa huwal 'aliyul 'athiem.
Allah! There is no god but He,- the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what [appeareth to His creatures as] before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme [in glory].
An especially important verse for Ruqyah and the most powerful. Very good to be recited after every obligatory prayer (there is nothing between you and paradise except death) and before one goes to sleep. (Allah will send a protector to shield you against anything, and Satan will not approach you.) Seven times after each compulsory prayer, protects inshaAllah against most attacks, including sorcery.
The Du'a for entering the toilet:
Bismillaah, Allahumma inni a'uudhu bika minal-khubuthi wal-khabaa'ith.
O Allah, I seek refuge with you from all evil and evil-doers.
(1)
One is protected from the male and female Satans who are in the bathroom.
The Du'a for leaving the house:
Bismillaahi, tawakkaltu 'alal-laahi, wa laa haula wa laa quata illaa billaah.
In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah and there is no might nor power except with Allah.
(2)
The angels say, "You will be defended, protected, and guided," and you will be protected from Satan (as long as one does not commit sins, then the angels leave and the Satans will return.)
The Du'a for setting foot in a new place
(like getting out oft he car, entering a house, when sitting somewhere outside etc.)
A'udhu bi kalimaat-illaahit-taammaati min sharri maa khalaq.
I seek refuge in Allah's perfect words from the evil which He has created.
(3)
Nothing will hurt one until one leaves the place.
The following supplication,
which should get recited three times in the morning (after Fajr) and three times in the afternoon (after 'Asr):
Bismillaahil-ladhi laa ya?urru ma'asmihi shay'un fil-ar?i wa laa fis-samaa'i wa huwas-sami'-ul-'alim.
In the name of Allah, by whose name nothing can cause harm neither on earth nor in the heaven and He is The All-Hearing, The All-Knowing.
(4)
Nothing shall harm you for the rest of the day / night.
And the following dhikr (5),
which should get recited ten times in the morning (after Fajr) and ten times in the afternoon (after 'Asr), the best is 100-times a day:
Laa ilaaha ill-Allahu, wa'dahu laa sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, yu'yi wa yumitu, wa huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in qadir.
There is no (true) god except Allah, alone and without any partners. To Him belongs the dominion, He deserves all praise. He gives life and death, and He is capable of everything.
Allah will send angels to protect one from Satan until the morning / evening comes. One will also receive ten rewards and ten sins will be forgiven. And when one says it 100 times a day, no one has better deeds than the one who says it more often.
Other protective measures:
- • One should pronounce the name of Allah whenever one becomes emotional (angry, sad or anxious). When one is angry, one should sit down, if one is already sitting, one should lie down.
- • In order to prevent the evil eye, every time one admires something, one should pronounce the name of Allah: "MashaAllah" ("What Allah willth"), "TabarakAllah" ("Allah is blessed"), etc. One should say it also for others if they forget it.
- • One should not show one's possessions and abilities in order to prevent envy, because this can lead to 'Ain or even bewitching.
- • Ibn 'Abbas said: "The Prophet sought refuge for Hasan and Husayn, saying: 'Your father (with whom he meant the prophet Ibrahim) sought refuge with Allah for Isma'il and Ishaq with these words: A`udhu bi kalimat Allah al-tammah min kulli shaytanin wa hammah wa min kulli `aynin lammah (I seek refuge in Allah's perfect words of every Satan and poisonous reptile, and of every evil eye).'"
- • Never give any personal belongings to suspicious strangers or allow them to take photos. Very careful with obtrusive and individually offered food, or when unusual presents are made!
- • One should read Sura al-Baqarah at least once a month in one's house.
- • Every time one feels that something is attacking or harassing, one should immediately perform additional worship. For example, when one has bad dreams at night, best to get up for Tahajjud prayer. When Satan sees that one is always reacting in this way, his enthusiasm to annoy one, is considerably slowed down inshaAllah.
- • Personal hygiene is very important: cutting of fingernails weekly, shaving of armpit and pubic hair, often brushing of teeth (possibly with miswak), etc.
- • One should always be in the state of ritual purity (ablution).
- • And the first and last, and although we repeat it again and again, one should fear Allah (by observing his commandments and prohibitions), beseeching his protection, never giving up one's hope in Allah, but exercising patience in every trial, which Allah imposes on one. InshaAllah it will be then the best for one. And, of course, as often as possible, remembering Allah in fear and gratitude:
If a suggestion from Satan assail thy [mind], seek refuge with Allah; for He heareth and knoweth [all things]. Those who fear Allah, when a thought of evil from Satan assaults them, bring Allah to remembrance, when lo! they see [aright]!
[Al-Araf 200-201]
What one should not use for protection
One should never use the help of magicians, "shamans" or practices of other religions, such as placing nails in the corner of each room or scattering chilli powder on the floor. All this is forbidden and removes the protection of Allah, because either one joins something with Allah (commits Shirk) or does not follow the Sunnah of the Prophet s.a.w.
Whether it is permitted to use a Ta'wies, see the article "Are Ta'wies Allowed?" in the appendix.
Footnotes:
- Muslim 375
- Abu Dawud 5095
- Muslim 2708; At-Tirmidhi 3437; Ibn Majah 3547
- Abu Dawood 5088; At-Tirmidhi 3388; Ibn Majah 3869
- At-Tirmidhi 3534 and 3553
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