أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaytan.
A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim
When to Read
That sudden surge, the heat rising, the impulse to lash out – we've all felt it. This powerful dua is meant to be recited the very moment you feel anger bubbling up inside you. It’s a spiritual intervention to interrupt Shaytan’s whispers and regain control. Use it before you speak words you might regret, or take actions driven by pure emotion. It’s your immediate shield against destructive reactions, allowing you to pause, reflect, and then respond thoughtfully.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity, truly seeking refuge in Allah from the source of destructive anger. Focus on its meaning, recognizing that uncontrolled rage is often an instigation from Shaytan. Pair this verbal dhikr with the Sunnah practices the Prophet ﷺ taught us for managing anger: if you're standing, sit down; if sitting, lie down. Make wudu if possible. Practice silence. These actions, combined with the dua, create a powerful barrier against Shaytan's influence, clearing your mind for a more measured, productive response.
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet ﷺ made it clear: reciting this dua when angry causes the anger to leave you. Imagine that power! By sincerely seeking refuge in Allah from Shaytan, you cut off the source of destructive impulses. This allows you to reclaim clarity and reason, preventing you from speaking harsh words, making hasty decisions, or taking regrettable actions. It empowers you to transition from a state of reactive fury to one of calm, enabling you to address the situation constructively and productively. It's how we embody the true strength the Prophet ﷺ spoke of: 'The strong man is not the one who overcomes people by his strength, but the one who controls himself when in a fit of rage' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6114). This dua is a direct path to that self-mastery.
Source & Authentication
Sulayman ibn Surad (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Two men hurled abuses at each other in the presence of Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) and the face of one of them became red, and his veins swelled. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: 'I know a remark which, if he uttered, his (this state of) anger would disappear. If he utters: **A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim** (I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan), his (state of) anger would disappear.'