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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Isti'adha: Seeking Allah's Protection from Satan The First Talk The Importance of Isti’adha in the Qur’an and the Traditions The topic that has received the maximum attention in the Holy Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet (S) and his Vicegerents (a.s.) is Isti’adha or seeking Allah (S.w.T.)’s help to protect one against the manoeuvrings of Satan. This is done by saying the words audhu billahi min ash-shaitanir rajeem.

(Sura an-Nahl, 16:98) During a prayer, it is mandated, that after saying the takbirat al-ihraam (Allahu Akbar) one should say the Isti’adha in a low tone. The commentators are of opinion that the Isti’adha in this situation has to be in a low tone because it will be like the person wishing to keep himself hidden and at the same time escape from the machinations of the enemy (Satan)!

The pointer is towards the fact that the supplicant should seek protection against his mortal enemy who is waiting for an opportunity to overpower him. This is done best by quietly tapping the door of the Great Place of Succor! Isti’adha before commencing a Prayer One most important time for Isti’adha is the moment of commencement of a prayer.

Whenever a person has to offer prayer to Allah (S.w.T.), he should seek protection from Him against Iblīs who is always bent on misguiding and taking him astray from the right path. Iblīs makes his utmost efforts to destroy the good deeds of the human being that he is deprived of the rewards that he might earn. At least, Iblīs or Satan tries to make the person proud or deceitful about prayers.

For example, if one wishes to do the ablutions, he must do the Isti’adha before commencing to do it by asking for Allah (S.w.T.)’s Protection against the accursed Satan. The ablution should be done only after doing Isti’adha . You must have noticed that many a time the same ablution becomes Satan’s area of operation that he puts many lurking fears or temptations in the mind of the person that make his entire prayer null and void.