أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.
A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajeem
When to Read
This is a powerful statement to make the moment you feel anger rising. When you're in a heated exchange, or a situation is pushing your buttons, pause and say this. It’s like a spiritual shield, pushing back against the Shaytan who loves to exploit moments of anger to lead us to sin. Instead of saying something you'll regret, or acting rashly, this is your first line of defense.
How to Read
Recite it with sincerity, truly meaning your reliance on Allah to protect you from the whispers and influence of the accursed Satan. It's a verbal action, but the real work is internal: acknowledging your susceptibility to anger and actively seeking Allah's help to control it. If you can, spit to your left three times, as the Prophet ﷺ advised in similar situations to ward off Shaytan.
Virtues & Benefits
This supplication is not just about reciting words; it's about invoking Allah's protection directly against the primary instigator of sin – Shaytan. When anger clouds our judgment, Shaytan is right there, fanning the flames, whispering temptations to lash out, curse, or do worse. By seeking refuge in Allah, you're disrupting Shaytan's plan. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself taught this practice when a man was overcome with anger: he told him to say 'A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajeem' and to sit down, or to make wudu, because anger is from Shaytan and wudu is from Ar-Rahman (the Most Merciful).
Source & Authentication
Sulayman ibn Surd (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I was sitting with the Prophet ﷺ and two men were reviling each other. The face of one of them became red and the veins on his neck became prominent. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'I know a word, if he were to say it, what he feels would go away. It is: A'udhu billahi minash-Shaytanir-rajeem (I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan).' The people said to him: 'Do you not hear what the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is saying?' He said: 'I am not one who plays tricks.' Sahih Muslim 2050.