What are the ways of protection from Satan?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Repenting to Allah in the face of Satan’s deceptions

Repentance means to give up sins. They say, “To err is human.” That is, man is a being that makes mistakes and is deceived. There are no infallible people except prophets. Even prophets can make “zallas”, which means “not to be exactly right, to make a mistake in ijtihad”. However, since they are infallible, they receive inspiration and correct their zallas.  

Since we are not prophets, we will definitely make mistakes and commit sins. However, we are the slaves of our Lord, who is Ghafur (the Forgiver) and Rahim (the All-Merciful).

Allah is the one that accepts repentance and that shows mercy. He is so merciful that He does not abandon His slave when he abandons Him once. When His slave repents and does not insist like Iblis did, He will forgive him once, twice, three times, endless times; He will not say, “That is enough” because He is Rahim, very merciful.

To regret also means to repent. However, to regret is not enough; it is necessary to clean the sins through repentance. When a person who remembers his sins sheds tears by regretting, there will be a serious operation of cleanliness in his inner world.

A saint who lives piously states the following: “The eyes that become junub by looking at haram will make ghusl with tears.”

It is essential to be serious about the repentance and to keep one’s promise to Allah. An approach like “We repent a hundred thousand times and drink wine again” is a sign of spiritual unfortunateness.

A sin is like a stain and repentance is like detergent. A person who repents of his sin sincerely is like a person who has not committed a sin.

Even if a person has committed a lot of sins like mountains, they will not occupy a place like a sand grain in Allah’s sea of mercy. A person who knows this will not give up hope of Allah’s mercy. 

To be away from Satan’s magnetic field

A magnet will attract things like pins. This attraction is also related with distance; attraction increases as objects approach the magnet and decreases as they move away from it. Something similar is in question related to sins. As man approaches sins, he is captured by them; it is easier to be protected from them as he moves away from them. A person who goes to a public beach to swim is not under the same conditions as a person who swims in a secluded place in terms of sins. 

Nowadays, some newspapers and televisions, illegitimate places of entertainment like barrooms and pubs, and some internet websites function virtually like media organs and centers of Satan. They lead people to sins all the time and send people to the places that are contrary to their purpose of creation. If a person who has a weakness for television stays in a room where there is a television set, his test gets harder; he will spend his time committing sins or at least wasting his time.    

Hekimoğlu İsmail states the following:

“The migration of today’s Muslim is going to a room without a TV set from a room with a TV set.”

Stoning Satan all the time

Deeds of worship include so many symbolic meanings. The worship of hajj in particular is full of so many symbols. For instance, the Kaaba is called “Baytullah”, that is, “Allah’s house”. A person who is a guest in the house of a notable person is entertained by the host; similarly, those who go to the Kaaba for hajj and umrah receive many boons from the Lord of the realms. 

To turn toward the Kaaba actually means to turn toward Allah. The Kaaba is the qiblah of the body. The qiblah of the spirit is Allah.

Waqfa in Arafat is an example of the Gathering Place.

To stone Satan in hajj aims to remember that “aduww mubin”, avowed enemy.  Satan is not there with its material body.

It is narrated that a saint saw Satan in his dream and wanted to hit him with his staff.

Satan said,

“I am not afraid of the staff. I am afraid of the rays of the sun of knowledge rising from the heart of the saint.”

Satan is not afraid of the stones thrown in Mina. However, he is disturbed when his delusions are not heeded.

It is understood that a person who opposes Satan stones him. From this point of view, we can say that stoning Satan continues throughout one’s life.

Not to be alone

Man is a being that tends to commit sins. When he is alone, in particular, Satan makes use of the opportunity and becomes his friend with his delusions. For instance, when a young man is alone at home, he can watch pornographic videos that he cannot watch when his parents are at home or access the websites that he should not access. In fact, when he is with others, he cannot do it. Thus, being alone makes man exposed to dangers spiritually; being together with others ensures self-control and people help one another to protect one another.

The Prophet (pbuh) tells us the following:

“Adhere to the congregation, beware of separation; for, indeed Satan is with one, and he is away from two.” (Tirmidhi, Fitan,  7)

However, being together with people of evil characteristics does not mean “being in congregation”. Being together with such people causes innocent and naïve people to resemble them. Therefore, it is necessary for a person to be careful about whom he is together with. As the Prophet (pbuh) puts it,

“A man is upon the religion of his friend; so, let one of you look at whom he befriends.” (Tirmidhi, Zuhd,  45)

Take care of your eyes

The Quran asks believing men and women to keep their eyes away from haram and to lead a chaste life in the following verses:

“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms...” (an-Nur, 24/30-31)

One should not say, ”What is the harm of looking at haram?”. For, such a look harms one’s spirituality a lot and opens the door to fornication. A person who cannot control his eyes finds it difficult to control his private parts. It is obvious that many single and even married people have illegitimate sexual intercourses due to looking at haram.

- It is obvious that today it is more important to protect the eyes. For, obscenity and immodesty have become so widespread unprecedentedly; they have invaded everywhere through magazines, newspapers, television and internet. It is very difficult for a person who does not protect his eyes from haram to remain chaste.   

- The verse addresses men first regarding the issue because men are exposed to the biggest test regarding the issue, not women.

The following is stated in a sacred hadith:

“Looking at non-mahram women with lust is one of the poisonous arrows of Satan. If a person abandons it out of my fear, I will reward him for that with the perfection of belief, the sweetness of which he will feel in his heart.”

The Prophet (pbuh) states that the biggest fitnah for men is women. (see Bukhari, Nikah, 17) If it is considered that half naked women are used even in the commercials of car tires, the severity and gravity of the issue will be understood. 

The Prophet (pbuh) addressed Hz. Ali as follows:

“O Ali! Do not give a second look because while you are not to blame for the first, you have no right to the second.” (Abu Dawud, Nikah, 43)

A man will see non-mahram women on the way willingly or unwillingly. There is no problem for the first look. However, it is haram, not appropriate, to look at them for the second time.

The following is stated in another hadith:

“If a Muslim sees the beauties of a woman and keeps his eyes away from her by fearing Allah, Allah will give him the reward of worshipping. That person will find the sweetness of worshipping in his heart.” (Ahmad b. Hanbal, V, 24)

- Believers are addressed by the hadiths and verses. Unbelievers are not very sensitive about chaste in general. Belief leaves a controller in the heart; it reminds man by saying, “You cannot look at haram.”

- When the verse says, “they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty”, it starts with the eyes. For, the way to remain chaste depends upon controlling one’s eyes. A person who does not control his eyes will have an illegitimate sexual intercourse one day. For, looking is the harbinger of fornication.

- Looking at haram is expressed “the fornication of the eye” in a hadith as follows:

“Verily Allah has fixed the very portion of fornication which a man will indulge in, and which he of necessity must commit. The fornication of the eye is the lustful look, and the fornication of the tongue is the licentious speech, the heart desires and yearns, which the parts may or may not put into effect.” (Muslim, Qadar, 20)

- After women are ordered to guard their chaste they are addressed as follows: “they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms.” This reminds them of some of their responsibilities. Man should not look at non-mahram women but women should avoid looking attractive. Therefore, they need to cover their bodies except for the parts that can be displayed like the hands and face properly. For instance, they should not find it sufficient to cover their heads slightly; they need to wear their headscarves in a way that will cover their necks and bosoms.     

Not to be alone with a non-mahram person

The religion of Islam prohibits man from both looking at a non-mahram woman and being alone with her. The Prophet (pbuh) states the following:

“Anyone of you who believes in Allah and the Day of Judgment should not remain alone with a non-mahram woman. For, the third one will be Satan if they do so.” (Bukhari, Nikah,  111, 112)

It is a grim reality that remaining alone like that has increased nowadays. Consequently, the sin of fornication, which is among major sins, has become widespread.

The concept sadduz-zarai’ exists in the Islamic law. It means prohibition of the ways leading to harams. For instance, both fornication and the things leading to fornication are forbidden. Alcohol is haram; and the production and trade of alcohol are also haram.

There are duties for all of us for a chaster and cleaner community:

- Instead of co-ed schools, there should be girls’ schools and boys’ schools; at least, the families should have the right to choose between a single sex school and mixed school. We had schools like that in our country but they were transformed into co-ed schools. There are single sex schools almost everywhere in the world and they are successful schools. It was wrong to close down those schools and they should be opened again.  

- The importance of chaste should be told at schools and in the family.

- Measures should be taken at workplaces to prevent a man from being alone with a non-mahram woman. For instance some bosses remain alone with their secretaries. This togetherness may cause the boss to divorce his wife and marry his secretary.

- Those who are engaged are not regarded as married people; they are non-mahram. When they remain alone in the period of engagement, fornication may take place. Having a religious marriage in order to eliminate this drawback does not settle the issue fully. For, what is essential in marriage is to announce it. Presidency of Religious Affairs states that religious marriage should be done after the official marriage. If people do not care about it, young people who are thought to be engaged may live like married people and come to the official marriage with a baby. Or, the girl may be harmed when the boy gives up marrying.  

Be careful about what you eat

A person who eats haram food becomes a sinner.

It is narrated that when Abu Hanifa’s father was young, he was making wudu from the water of a stream; he saw an apple dragged by the water and bit a piece from the apple. Then, he thought that it would not be halal for him. He walked up the stream and found an apple tree whose branches were over the stream. He found the owner of the tree and asked him to forgive him for the apple he ate. The owner said, “Work for me for a year and I will think about it then.” At the end of the year, the man said to him, “I have a daughter who is blind, lame, deaf and dumb. I want to marry you off to her. I will forgive you then.” Abu Hanifa’s father accepted it. However, when he saw the girl, he was astonished. She was very beautiful and she was healthy.

The owner of the apple tree explained it as follows:

“My daughter is blind because she has not looked at haram things.
She is lame because she has not been to any bad places.
She is deaf because she has not heard any inappropriate words.
She is dumb because she has not uttered any unnecessary words. May Allah make her blessed for you!”

Abu Hanifa was born out of such a marriage.

Halal food is very important in the maturation of spiritual life. There will be no or very little spiritual life in the families eating haram food. A child is innocent and the responsibility of haram food lies on the family but the child will be affected from such a haram environment – in one way or another. Therefore, parents should try to eat halal food and give their children halal food as much as possible.

Taking refuge

Istiadha (taking refuge) means to say “Audhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim”, that is, “I take refuge in Allah from the evil of accursed Satan” while starting something or on any occasion. 

Obedience to the order “Hasten ye then (at once) to Allah!” exists in istiadha. (adh-Dhariyat, 51/50)

There is no limit for Allah’s perfection and mercy and for the mistakes and needs of a slave. Thus, taking refuge in Allah and praying Him are among the most important duties of worshipping.

The following order is given in another verse:

“If a suggestion from Satan assail thy (mind), seek refuge with Allah; for He heareth and knoweth (all things).” (al-A’raf, 7/200)

It is very important that Allah mentions Himself as Sami’-Alim, that is, “the Hearer of All, the Knower of All”. For, if the person in whom you take refuge does not hear you or knows your state, he cannot help you.

Allah is closer to man from his jugular vein. What he has in his heart is not a secret for Allah.

Allah states the following in another verse regarding the issue:

“When thou dost read the Qur´an, seek Allah´s protection from Satan the rejected one.” (an-Nahl, 16/98)

For, a person who wants to read the Quran will do one of the best deeds. The Quran is the origin and essence of the religion. Man’s tongue and heart are dirtied by mistakes like backbiting. Therefore, it will be appropriate for him to clean his tongue. Satan does not like good things like reading the Quran; therefore, he will try to prevent man from understanding the Quran and acting in accordance with it; he will try to prevent man from meditating on it.

When we study hadith books, we see that the Prophet (pbuh) takes refuge in Allah from many things that will trouble and distress man, that will harm him and that will humiliate him in the world and the hereafter. His taking refuge from Hell, the fitnah of the grave, the evil of everything and every living being, the evil of the soul, poverty and debt, laziness, unbelief, low ethics, bad deeds and desires, grief, becoming very old, fire and flood are among them. 

Istiadha is uttered before basmala. We say, “Audhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim” first and Bismillahirrahmanirrahim after that. For, elimination of something bad comes before attaining something good. 

The things that we take refuge from when we say “Audhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim” are related to one of the following three things:

1. Issues related to creed.
2. Issues related to deeds.
3. Things like illnesses and misfortunes that will harm our bodies.

We take refuge in Allah from having wrong beliefs, the states that can harm our belief, committing sins and harams in the things that we do and from the visible and invisible misfortunes and disasters.

When we take refuge in Allah by saying “Audhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim”, we do not say from which direction we take refuge, which means from all directions. That is we take refuge in Allah from all of the states that can come from Satan.

When we say “Audhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim”, it is necessary to say it also through the heart along with the tongue.  

Those who know Allah take refuge from seeing anyone other than Allah and the realm of multitude being a veil for them.

The prayers of protection from Satan

Allah, who informs us about Satan, teaches us through what prayers we can be protected from him:

1. The Chapter of al-Falaq

The chapters of al-Falaq and an-Nas, which are the last two chapters of the Quran, are called “Muawwizatayn”. That is, one can take refuge in Allah with those two chapters and they are like protective armor for man.

According to some narrations, a Jew applied magic on the Prophet and Allah Almighty sent down those two chapters as cure for the Prophet and the ummah.

“Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the Dawn
From the mischief of created things;
From the mischief of Darkness as it overspreads;
From the mischief of those who practice secret arts;
And from the mischief of the envious one as he practices envy.” (al-Falaq, 113/1-5)

We want to attract attention to some points related to that chapter.

- Good things and beauty are essential in the realm but there is also a little evil. One wisdom behind this evil is istiadha, that is, taking refuge in Allah. Good things lead man to thanking Allah and evil things lead man to taking refuge in Allah.

- There is a subtle point in taking refuge in “the Lord of the dawn” from the evil things that are mentioned in that chapter: The Being that eliminates the darkness of the night and that brings the luminous morning can definitely save those who take refuge in Him from the darkness of evil and lead them to the brightness of good things. 

- When it is dark at night, so many groups of evil people are engaged in evil deeds. Those who have darkened spirits prefer dark nights for their dark deeds. It is necessary to take refuge in “the Lord of the dawn” from their dark deeds and mischievous plans. 

- The biggest weapon of Satan and his companions is women. Today, women are used unprecedentedly in obscene publications, illegitimate songs and many other things, hypnotizing and fascinating men by agitating their sensitive points. The phrase “those who practice secret arts” is related to magicians but it also indicates evil women used like that.

We definitely exclude the fortunate women who live purely and with chastity that fits women and who bring up the believing generations of the future. For, “Paradise is under the feet of mothers.” (Ajluni, I, 335)

- Hasad (envy/jealousy) means not to want someone who has something good to have it, to want that person to lose it and to regard himself fit for it. Many bad things happen due to envy. The first bad deeds in the sky and on earth were committed due to envy. Iblis did not prostrate before Adam in the sky due to envy and Cane (Qabil) killed his brother Abel (Habil) on earth due to envy.

- The inclusion of the phrase “as (when) he practices envy” while taking refuge in Allah from the evil of the envious one indicates that the envious one harms himself when he does not act in accordance with envy.

2. The Chapter of an-Nas

“Say: I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of Mankind, The King (or Ruler) 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.” (an-Nas, 114/1-6)

We want to mention some subtleties related to that chapter:

- In the previous chapter, we take refuge in Allah with the title “the Lord of the dawn” from the evil of “created things, the darkness and those who practice secret arts”; in this chapter, we take refuge in “the Lord and Cherisher, the King and the deity of Mankind” from the evil of the devils of jinn and men.

That is, taking refuge from three things with one name of Allah is in question in the previous chapter. In this chapter, taking refuge from one thing with three names of Allah is in question. This shows how big is their evil and how much it is necessary to take refuge in Allah from them. As a matter of fact, the Prophet prayed as follows:

“O Allah! Do not leave me to my soul even for a blink.” (Ahmed b. Hanbel, V, 42)

For, the soul is always in the form of a sensitive receiver for the suggestions of Satan.

- People with evil spirits act like Satan. They make suggestions to people to make them deviate from the right path and indulge in sins. Devils of jinn do the same thing by blowing without being seen. The only difference between them is body; their nature is almost the same. 

Those who do not appreciate the boon of humanity granted by Allah cease to be human and are transformed into devilish animals. When such a person becomes, say, an elementary school teacher, he injects his ideas of denial into the naïve minds. He declares war against spirituality and wants to bring up people with evil minds like himself through questions that seem to be coherent but that are actually based on puns like “Why is Allah invisible if He exists? Why does nobody come from Hell if it exists?”

- Satan is the sly enemy in ambush; he always looks for opportunities; he makes people indulge in the mud of sins but he makes people think that the mud is musk. He leads them to the quagmire of aberration and says to them, “You are on the true path.” As it is stated in the hadith, “Satan circulates in the human mind as blood circulates in it” (Bukhari, Bad’ul-Khalq, 11) That is, he circulates in all blood vessels and tries to defeat man.

3. The prayer taught to the Prophet (pbuh)

Satan suggests bad deeds to man all the time. However, he does not have the power to force man to do things. He only tries to deceive him and make him go astray through delusions and tricks. If a person says, “Audhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim”, when such a delusion comes, Satan cannot harm him. And that person gains great thawabs since he does not obey Satan.  

Satan cannot pester angels. Therefore, the rank of angels is constant. Man can go down endlessly as he obeys Satan and go up endlessly as he disobeys him. The duty of Satan is to cause delusions; the duty of man is not to be deceived by that delusion and to take refuge in Allah. The following is stated in a verse:

“If a suggestion from Satan assail thy (mind), seek refuge with Allah; for He heareth and knoweth (all things).” (al-A’raf, 7/200)

Somebody asked a saint, “Satan gives me a lot of delusions. What should I do?”

He said, “What would you do if dogs barked at you while passing by a house?”

The man said, “I would pick a stone and throw at them.” Thereupon, he gave the following significant answer:

“I would not do so. I would call the owner of the house. When he ordered the dogs, they would go back to their place and keep quiet. When delusions come to you, take refuge in Allah. They cannot harm you then.”

Allah Almighty teaches His Messenger the following prayer regarding the issue:

“And say "O my Lord! I seek refuge with Thee from the suggestions of the Evil Ones. And I seek refuge with Thee O my Lord! lest they should come near me.” (al-Mu’minun,  23/97-98)

The word translated as “suggestions” is “hamazat” in the verse. The phrase “to spur a horse” is derived from the same root. When a horse is spurred, it runs faster; similarly, “hamazat” of Satan make man run wildly in the valleys of sins.

The word “hamazat” is a plural word indicating that Satan uses various delusions.

If man takes refuge in Allah when those delusions come, it is like reining back the horse and stopping it whenever one wants. 

Satan wants to be near man because he wants to interfere when man performs prayers, reads the Quran, eats, drinks, etc. For instance, when a person eats and drinks without uttering Allah’s name, Satan accompanies him, shares his sustenance, and harms the blessing.

It is very important to be away from Satan when one is about to die. For, the throes of death are the most important moments of one’s life. Satan wants to remove man’s belief with a final move. A person who continues saying the prayer above is saved from the accompaniment and delusions of Satan.

Satan is sincere in his cause. He is the eternal enemy of man since he was dismissed from divine mercy because of man. He tries to make man go astray by using all kinds of delusions. For instance, he embellishes bad deeds and causes man to see them as nice deeds. When a person is not deceived by it, Satan tries to prevent him from doing good deeds. If he cannot manage it, he tries to decrease his good deeds. If he cannot manage it, he tries to make man feel conceited and says to him, “There is nobody like you, etc.”.  If a person overcomes this delusion, Satan does not give up. He says, “You have won this time but I will definitely entrap you one day.” Then, he lays in ambush.

4. Some examples of istiadha (taking refuge)

 1. Hz. Nuh states the following:

“O my Lord! I do seek refuge with Thee, lest I ask Thee for that of which I have no knowledge. And unless thou forgive me and have Mercy on me, I should indeed be lost.” (Hud, 11/47)

Hz. Nuh is one of the greatest prophets. He told his nation about Allah for a long time but they did not believe him. Then, they were punished by the deluge. One of the sons of Hz. Nuh was among those who were drowned in the deluge. When the waters started to rise, Hz. Nuh addressed his son as follows with the compassion of a prophet and a father: “O my son! Embark with us, and be not with the unbelievers!” However, his son said, “I will betake myself to some mountain: it will save me from the water.” He did not embark the ship. Meanwhile, the waves came between them, and the son was among those overwhelmed in the flood.

Hz. Nuh said, “O my Lord! Surely my son is of my family! And Thy promise is true, and Thou art the justest of Judges.”

Allah said, “O Nuh! He is not of thy family: For his conduct is unrighteous. So ask not of Me that of which thou hast no knowledge! I give thee counsel, lest thou act like the ignorant.”

Hz. Nuh said, “O my Lord! I do seek refuge with Thee, lest I ask Thee for that of which I have no knowledge. And unless thou forgive me and have Mercy on me, I should indeed be lost.” (Hud, 11/42-47)

 2. Hz. Musa said:

“…I take refuge in Allah from being ignorant...” (al-Baqara, 2/67)

Even scholars can be deceived by Satan but ignorant people are more vulnerable. Ignorance is like darkness; knowledge is like luminous light. The duty of man is to turn toward the light by taking refuge in Allah from all kinds of darkness.  

 3. Hz. Yusuf was thrown into a well by his brothers when he was a small child because of jealousy. He was saved by the people of a caravan passing by and was sold as a slave in Egypt. Zulaykha, the wife of the king of Egypt, bought him; she regarded him as her son first but when he became a young man, her attitude toward him changed. One day, when there was nobody else in the house, she closed all doors and called Yusuf to come to her, with all of her attraction. Hz. Yusuf said, “I take refuge in Allah” and started to run away. (Yusuf, 12/23)

Afterwards, when Hz. Yusuf had to choose between going to prison and doing what Zulaykha wanted, he prayed Allah as follows:

“O my Lord! The prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me: Unless Thou turn away their snare from me, I should (in my youthful folly) feel inclined towards them and join the ranks of the ignorant.” (Yusuf, 12/33)

Prison is not something that is desired under normal conditions. However, if disobedience to Allah is in question instead of prison, prison is preferred. For, “One cannot obey a person if disobedience to Allah is in question.” (Ibn Majah, Jihad, 40)

Throughout history, many people entered prison or were put in dungeon due to oppression and slandering like Hz. Yusuf. Those fortunate people continued to serve their religion there and changed prison to “a school of Yu­su­f”.

Repetition of sacred words in the struggle against Satan

Man has to be careful about what he eats for his material life; otherwise, he will be weakened and a simple microbe can overcome him. However, when the body is strong, microbes cannot harm him.

Similarly, man has to take spiritual food for his spiritual life; otherwise, he will be weak spiritually. He cannot resist Satan’s wishes and a small delusion can overcome him. However, if he is careful about his spiritual food, Satan and his armies of delusions cannot harm him if Allah does not allow them.

Remembering Allah is the basic food of the heart. The Quran states it as follows:

“For without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” (Ra’d, 13/28)

Some comprehensive words of dhikr (mentioning Allah) are as follows:

“Subhanallahi wal-hamdulillahi wa la ilaha illallahu wal­la­hu akbar wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah. (Glory be to Allah; praise be to Allah, there is no god but Allah; Allah is the greatest. There is no power other than Allah)”

When each of them is evaluated from an aspect, they are blows that hit Satan.

It will be useful to evaluate them briefly one by one:

Subhanallah: This word expresses wonder and admiration. Satan wants to keep man away from meditation. However, a person who repeats this sacred word and meditates on its meaning does not look at the realm and the incidents superficially. He regards the beings and incidents like a book and gets rid of laziness.

Alhamdulillah: This words expresses praising Allah’s art and thanking Him for His boons. Satan wants to prevent man from appreciating divine art and thanking deeply by feeling His boons. Those who say this word continuously see the perfection of divine art instead of seeing and liking themselves; they notice the endless boons coming in that perfection and thank Allah.

La ilaha illallah: This phrase expresses Allah’s oneness. Satan wants to suffocate man in multiplicity. Those who repeat this blessed phrase and meditate on it remember Allah. They feel the meaning of the following verse deep in their hearts:   “And He is with you wheresoever ye may be.” (al-Hadid, 57/4)

Allahu akbar: This word expresses the greatness of Allah. He is the real great one. He has power over everything. Nothing is difficult and heavy for Him. Whatever He wishes takes place; whatever He does not wish does not take place. A person who repeats this word gets rid of the delusions of Satan like “Can Allah revive people again?” Besides, he is saved from regarding other beings as big and feeling despised in front of them.

La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah: This phrase expresses that man cannot get rid of negative things on his own and that he cannot do positive things on his own. Satan tells man the opposite; he says, “You can do anything if you wish.” Man gets rid of liking himself thanks to this phrase and attains the reality of trust in Allah.

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