أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.
A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim
When to Read
Anger often flares up without warning, catching us off guard. The moment you feel the heat of anger rising within you, recognize it as a whisper from Shaytan. This is the precise moment to recite this powerful dua. The Prophet ﷺ also advised specific actions when angry: if you are standing, sit down; if sitting, lie down (Sunan Abi Dawud 4782, Hasan). And most importantly for this entry, he ﷺ said: 'If any of you becomes angry, let him keep silent' (Musnad Ahmad 2136, Sahih al-Jami' 693). Therefore, combine seeking refuge with silence and a change in posture for maximum benefit.
How to Read
Recite the dua sincerely, focusing on its meaning: that you are actively seeking Allah's protection from Shaytan, who fuels our anger. It's not just a verbal utterance, but a conscious decision to disengage from the instigation of Shaytan. Immediately after or alongside this, implement the prophetic advice: stop speaking. Silence in anger prevents you from uttering words you'll later regret, words that can break hearts and ties. Change your physical state – sit or lie down – to break the cycle of escalating emotion and physical tension.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua is a direct act of worship, bringing you closer to Allah and earning immense reward. By seeking refuge, you actively repel the whispers of Shaytan, who delights in human discord and anger. The Prophet ﷺ himself said: 'The strong is not the one who overcomes people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself when in anger' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6114). Controlling your anger through this dua and prophetic practices leads to inner peace, preserves relationships, and is a sign of true strength and faith. It protects you from sinning through hurtful words or actions, paving the way for Allah's forgiveness and mercy. Furthermore, controlling anger is a pathway to Jannah, as the Prophet ﷺ advised, 'Do not get angry, and you will enter Paradise' (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 1318, Sahih).
Source & Authentication
> **Arabic:** عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ صُرَدٍ، قَالَ اسْتَبَّ رَجُلاَنِ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَجَعَلَ أَحَدُهُمَا يَغْضَبُ وَتَحَمَّرُ وُجْهُهُ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنِّي لأَعْلَمُ كَلِمَةً لَوْ قَالَهَا لَذَهَبَ عَنْهُ مَا يَجِدُ لَوْ قَالَ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ " . > > **Translation:** Sulaiman ibn Sard (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "Two men reviled each other in the presence of the Prophet (ﷺ), and the face of one of them became red, and his veins swelled. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'I know a word which, if he said it, his anger would leave him. If he said: "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim (I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed)," his anger would leave him.'" > > **Transliteration:** *'An Sulaiman ibn Surad, qala istabba rajulani 'indal-Nabiyyi ﷺ, faj'ala ahaduhuma yaghdabu wa tahmarru wajhuhu, faqala al-Nabiyyu ﷺ: "Inni la'alamu kalimatan law qalaha ladhahaba 'anhu ma yajidu. Law qala: A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim."* > > — Sahih Muslim 2610