أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ وَأَنْ يَنْفُثَ وَيَنْفُخَ وَيَنْزِغَ
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan, and from his whispering, his puffing, and his incitement.
A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajeem, wa an yanfuth, wa yanfukh, wa yanzigh
When to Read
This dua is particularly recommended when one feels the distractions and intrusive thoughts of Shaytan during prayer. It can be recited at the beginning of the prayer, or at any point when these whispers become overwhelming, to seek Allah's protection.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and conviction, understanding that true protection comes only from Allah. Imagine seeking shelter from Shaytan's evil influences. The Prophet ﷺ would often resort to seeking refuge in Allah from specific forms of Shaytan's attacks. This dua encapsulates that seeking of refuge.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is a powerful means of fortifying oneself against the subtle and overt ways Shaytan tries to disrupt our worship. By invoking Allah's name and seeking refuge from Shaytan's specific methods – his 'yanfuth' (whispering evil suggestions), 'yanfukh' (puffing arrogance and vanity), and 'yanzigh' (incitement to falsehood and wrongdoing) – we actively push back against his influence. It helps in achieving the necessary focus and presence of heart ('khushu') in prayer, turning our conversation with Allah into a more meaningful experience.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'When one of you prays, he should seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan, and recite: "I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan, and from his whispering, his puffing, and his incitement." ' He said: 'His whispering is doubt; his puffing is arrogance; his incitement is poetry.'