How to know when the devil (Shaitan) is misguiding us and protect ourselves when that happens?
To recognize when the devil (Shaitan) is misguiding us, one can look for signs of temptation towards sin or disobedience, as these often stem from his influence. The Qur'an teaches us that when we see individuals meddling with Allah's revelations, we should distance ourselves from them. The verse states: And when thou seest those who meddle with Our revelations, withdraw from them until they meddle with another topic. And if the devil cause thee to forget, sit not, after the remembrance, with the congregation of wrong-doers.
6:68 This guidance highlights the importance of being aware of our surroundings and the company we keep, as they can lead us astray.
To protect ourselves from such misguidance, we can incorporate specific supplications and practices into our daily lives. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ advised that when a person leaves their home with the following words: "In the name of Allah, I put my trust in Allah, and there is no power nor might except through Allah," it is said to him: You have been guided, sufficient, and protected. The devils withdraw for him until another devil says: 'How can you contend with a man who has been guided, sufficed, and protected?'
Sunan Abu Dawud 43:323 This tradition underscores the protective power of invoking Allah's name and trust, which shields us from the influence of Shaitan.
Furthermore, it is taught that when Allah intends good for a servant, He places guidance in their heart. The narration states: Indeed, when God intends good for a servant, He places a dot of light in his heart, opens the ears of his heart, and assigns an angel to guide him. When God intends evil for a servant, He places a black dot in his heart, closes the ears of his heart, and appoints a devil to misguide him.
Al-Kafi 3:215 This illustrates the internal struggle between good and evil influences, guiding us to seek the light of guidance and to be vigilant against the whispers of Shaitan.
In summary, by being aware of our environment, making sincere supplications, and seeking Allah's guidance, we can recognize and protect ourselves from the misguidance of the devil.
Sources
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6:68 · Al-An'aam
6:68 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخُوضُونَ فِىٓ ءَايَٰتِنَا فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَخُوضُوا۟ فِى حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِۦ ۚ وَإِمَّا يُنسِيَنَّكَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ فَلَا تَقْعُدْ بَعْدَ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ مَعَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
And when thou seest those who meddle with Our revelations, withdraw from them until they meddle with another topic. And if the devil cause thee to forget, sit not, after the remembrance, with the congregation of wrong-doers.
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Sunan Abu Dawud 43:323
Sunan Abu Dawud · Book 43, Hadith 323 · Narrated by Anas ibn Malik
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'When a man departs from his house and says: "In the name of Allah, I put my trust in Allah, and there is no power nor might except through Allah," it is said to him: "You have been guided, sufficient, and protected." The devils withdraw for him until another devil says: "How can you contend with a man who has been guided, sufficed, and protected?"'"
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Al-Kafi 3:215
Al-Kafi · Book 3, Hadith 215
He said: Indeed, when God intends good for a servant, He places a dot of light in his heart, opens the ears of his heart, and assigns an angel to guide him. When God intends evil for a servant, He places a black dot in his heart, closes the ears of his heart, and appoints a devil to misguide him. Then he recited: 'Whoever God wishes to guide, He expands his breast to Islam; and whoever He wishes to misguide, He makes his breast tight and constricted as though he were ascending into the sky.' — OR — He was asked: How should I act if I go out with the funeral procession: should I walk in front of it, behind it, on its right, or on its left? He said: If it is a disbeliever, then do not walk in front of him, for the angels of punishment face him with the colors of torment. — OR — People asked Abu Abdullah about the meaning of the verse, "Whoever is able to find a way to it." He said, "What do people say?" It was said to him: "The provision and the mount." He said: "Abu Ja'far was asked about this and he replied, ‘Then the people have perished, because if anyone had provisions and a mount sufficient to feed his family and to be self-sufficient, he would set out and take it away from others. They have perished.’ It was said to him: ‘Then what is meant by the way?’ He said: ‘Having enough wealth if he performs pilgrimage with a part of it and keeps some back to feed his family.’ Did not Allah make zakat obligatory only on those owning two hundred dirhams." — OR — It is permissible for the man to look at her face and wrists if he intends to marry her. — OR — I asked Abu Abdullah how much the thief’s hand is cut off for. He said, 'For a quarter of a dinar.' I said, 'What about for two dirhams?' He said, 'For a quarter of a dinar.' The dinar is the limit that has been reached. I asked, 'What about one who steals less than a quarter of a dinar? Does the label of thief apply at the time of theft? Is he considered a thief before God in that state?' He said, 'Whoever steals anything from a Muslim and safely possesses and secures it is given the name of thief and is considered a thief before God, but the punishment of cutting off the hand applies only for a quarter of a dinar or more. If the hands of thieves were cut off for less than a quarter, you would find many people with mutilated hands.'
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