أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled.
A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim
When to Read
You know that moment: you've been waiting patiently, perhaps for a crucial document, a service appointment, or a decision, only for it to be met with unnecessary delays, confusion, or even outright incompetence. Your blood pressure rises, your heart pounds, and you feel that familiar heat of anger building up inside you. This is precisely the moment to remember and recite this powerful statement. Whether it's a slow queue, a bureaucratic bottleneck, or a frustrating mistake by someone else, when that initial surge of frustration begins to morph into anger, turn to Allah.
How to Read
When that rush of anger begins to grip you, whether inwardly or audibly, consciously say 'A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim' (I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled). Say it with conviction, reminding yourself that this disruptive anger is often a whisper from Shaytan, pushing you towards rash words or actions. Beyond the recitation, the Prophet ﷺ taught us other ways to manage anger: if you are standing, sit down; if you are sitting, lie down. You can also make wudu (ablution), as anger is from fire, and water extinguishes fire. Taking a few deep breaths and pausing before responding can also help you regain control.
Virtues & Benefits
The primary benefit of reciting this dua is to immediately extinguish the flame of anger by cutting off Shaytan's influence. As our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us, anger comes from Shaytan, and seeking refuge in Allah directly combats his whispers and attempts to sow discord. This isn't just a verbal utterance; it's a profound act of turning to Allah for protection, helping you regain control over your emotions and prevent impulsive actions or hurtful words you might later regret. By doing so, you maintain your patience, earn Allah's pleasure for restraining your anger, and follow a direct, practical command from the Prophet ﷺ. Remember, the Prophet ﷺ said: "The strong man is not the one who can wrestle, but the one who controls himself at the time of anger." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6114, Sahih Muslim 2609). This dua is a powerful tool in achieving that true strength.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Sulaiman ibn Surad (may Allah be pleased with him): "I was sitting with the Prophet ﷺ, and two men were reviling each other. One of them became red in the face, and his veins became swollen. The Prophet ﷺ said, 'I know a word that, if he were to say it, what he feels would go away. If he were to say: 'A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim (I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled),' what he feels would go away.'" — Sahih al-Bukhari 3282, Sahih Muslim 2610.