Section: Protective Measures against Sihr in General
72. Introduction
By and large, ar-rabt usually occurs to a young man, upon his marriage, especially if he lives within a community in which there are lewd sorcerers. The question at hand: Can the bride and groom be protected against any sihr worked out against them before their marriage? The answer is: yes. I will list these protective means below. However before doing so, I would like to share with you the following incident.There was a righteous young man, who used to invite his townsfolk to Islam, inside and outside his town. He would usually do so by delivering sermons that urged people to have pure monotheism and clear faith. He would also advise them not to go to the sorcerers and explain to them that sihr is a form of disbelief and a sahir is a repulsive man who shows animosity to Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) In the town, there was a sahir who was well-known among the people. Whenever a young man wanted to marry, he would go to him and say: "I am getting married on such and such day What is your request?" The sahir would ask for a sum of money, and the young person would unhesitatingly give the money. Otherwise, the sahir would punish him by working out sihr ar-rabt against him, which would disable him to have sexual intercourse with his new wife. In that case, the young man would have no choice but to go back to the sahir and request him to cancel the sihr, but the price would double by this time.This righteous young man used to fight this sahir publicly and disclose his evil at the mosques' pulpits, and at private and public meetings. He would disclose his name and warn people not to go to him. The young man was single, and people waited until his wedding day to see the sahir's response and whether the righteous young man would be able protect himself from the sahir.The young man eventually got married, but prior to his first intercourse, he came and told me the story. He said, "The sahir threatened to harm me and people are waiting to see who will be the winner. What do you think? Can you give me some protective measures against sihr, bearing in mind that he would do his best to work out the most effective sihr that he possibly could because, have humiliated him so much before people." I said, "Yes, I can-by Allah's Leave-but on one condition."He said, 'What is it?'I said, 'Tell the sahir. "I am getting married on such and such day challenge you. Do whatever you can, but if you cannot succeed, bring whoever you can among the sahara, and make this challenge public."The young man said hesitantly, "Are you sure of what you say?"I said, "Yes I am, for victory is to the believers and humiliation is for the criminals."In fact, the young man sent the message to the sahir, challenging him to do what he could and informed him of his wedding day. People looked forward to this difficult day.I gave the young man some protective means which I shall list later.The young man eventually got married and had his first intercourse. without being affected by the sihr worked out by the man or by the cunning of any deceiver People were shocked and stunned by this event which was a victory for al-'aqida, an evidence of the steadfastness of its people (those with true 'aqida) and of Allah's protection to them before people of falsehood This incident raised the young man to great heights among his family and townsfolk, and damaged the sanir's reputation.Allah is Great, Praise is due to Him, and victory is not attained except through Him.Below are fifteen protective measures:
73. The First Measure
Eat seven pressed dates in the morning before eating any food if you can. Dates should preferably be from Al-Madina. If this is not possible, then eat any pressed dates. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever eats seven pressed dates every morning before eating any food, will not be affected by poison or sihr:" [Al-Bukhari: 10/249, the Book of Medicine, Chapter: Treatment of sorcery with ajwah]
74. The Second Measure: (Al-Wudhu)
Sihr does not affect a person in a state of wudhu', for he is protected by an angel sent by the Merciful (Allah SWT) Ibn 'Abbas (RA) reported: "The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Wash these bodies, and Allah (SWT) will wash you. There is not a servant who sleeps in a state of wudhu, but that an angel accompanies him in his clothes, and there is not a moment that he moves in bed, but that the angel says: 'O Allah! Forgive Your Servant, for he has slept in a clean state." [Transmitted by At-Tabarani in Al-Awsat According to Al-Mundirs, the chain of transmission is very good (At-Targhb:2/13)]
75. The Third Measure (Observing congregational salat)
Observing salat in congregation secures a Muslim person from Satan, and neglecting it makes Satan dominate him. And if Satan dominates a person, he harms him with sihr and other things which he can easily do. Abu Ad-darda' (RA) reported: "I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say, 'There are not three people in a town or in the countryside who do not observe congregational salat, but that Satan dominates them Remain with the community, for the wolf seizes the solitary sheep moving away from the flock. [Al-Bukhari: (Fath Al-Bari, 3/34) and Muslim: (An-Nawawi: 6/63)]
76. The Fourth Measure: Qiyyamu Al-layl (Observing optional salat during the night)
Whosoever wishes to protect himself against sihr should observe salat during the night Neglecting it allows Satan to dominate a man If he does, then you will make yourself a hotbed for the effect of sihr on you. Ibn Mas'ud (RA) reported: "When the Prophet (ﷺ) was asked about his opinion of a man who slept until salatul Fajr, without waking up for qiyyamul-layl, he said that Satan urinated in the man's ear." [Abu Dawud: 1/150 (a sound chain of transmission)]Sa'id Ibn Mansur (RA) reported : “Ibn 'Umar (RA) said, 'Not a man wakes up in the morning without having observed salatul-witr, but that a rope measuring approximately seventy cubits will be put over his head in the morning." [According to Al-Hafiz, a very good chain of transmission (Fath:3/25)]
77. The Fifth Measure: Isti'da (seeking refuge with Allah (SWT) upon entering the toilet)
A Muslim should seek refuge with Allah upon entering the toilet, because Satan takes advantage of the Muslim's presence in the toilet in order to harm him in this filthy place which is the home of Satanic Jinn. One day, a Jinn informed me that he entered and possessed a person. Because he did not seek refuge in Allah upon entering the toilet However, Allah supported me in driving him out of that person.Furthermore, one Jinn told me that Allah has given us a strong weapon to conquer them, but we do not use it I asked him what was it, and he said, "the invocations laid down by the Prophet (ﷺ).It is confirmed that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to say the following invocation upon entering the toilet: بِسْمِ اللهِ] اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُْثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ] Transliteration: [Bismillahi] Allahumma 'inni a'udhu bika minal-khubthi wal-khaba’ith.Translation: [In the Name of Allah]. (Then) O Allah , I seek protection in You from the male and female unclean spirits. (Bukhari 1/45, Muslim 2/1/283)The addition of Bismillah at its beginning was reported by Said bin Mansur. (See Fathul-Bari 1/244)
78. The Sixth Measure: (seeking refuge with Allah [SWT] upon starting salat)
Jubayr Ibn Mut'im (RA) reported: "I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) A say, اللهُ أَكْبَـرُ كَبـيرا ،اللهُ أَكْبَـرُ كَبـيرا ،اللهُ أَكْبَـرُ كَبـيرا ،وَالْحَـمْدُ للهِ كَثـيرا ،وَالْحَـمْدُ للهِ كَثـيرا ،وَالْحَـمْدُ للهِ كَثـيرا ،وَسُبْـحانَ اللهِ بكْـرَةً وَأَصيـلا .( ثَلاثاً )أَعـوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّـيْطانِمِنْ نَفْخِـهِ وَنَفْـثِهِ وَهَمْـزِه Transliteration: Allahu 'Akbar Kabira, Allahu 'Akbar Kabira, Allahu 'Akbar Kabira, walhamdu lillahi kathira, walhamdu lillahi kathira, walhamdu lillahi kathira, wa Subhanallahi bukratan wa'asila. 'A `udhu billahi min ash-shaytan: min nafkhihi, wa nafthihi, wa hamzihi.Translation: Allah is the Greatest, Most Great. Allah is the Greatest, Most Great. Allah is the Greatest, Most Great. Praise is to Allah, abundantly. Praise is to Allah, abundantly. Praise is to Allah, abundantly. Glory is to Allah, at the break of day and at its end. I seek refuge in Allah from Satan. From his breath, and from his voice, and from his whisper. [Abu Dawud 1/203, Ibn Majah 1/265, ai Ahmad 4/85. Muslim recorded a similar Hadil 1/420]
79. The Seventh Measure: (protecting one's new wife against sihr at the time of marriage)
Soon after concluding the marriage contract, put your right hand upon her forehead and say: َاَللّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِهَا وَ خَيْرِ مَا جَبَلْتَهَا عَلَيْه وَ أَعُوْذُبِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَ شَرِّ مَا جَبَلْتَهَا عَلَيْه Transliteration: Allahumma inni as’aluka khairaha wa khaira ma jabaltaha `alaih wa a`oozubika min sharriha wa sharri ma jabaltaha `alaih.Translation: O Allah! I ask you for any good that may come from her and any good that you have created in her natural disposition, and seek refuge with you from any evil that may come from her, and any evil that you have created in her natural disposition. [Abu Dawud; according to Al-Albani, a sound chain of transmission (151)]
80. The Eightth Measure (Initiating Marital Life With salat)
Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (RA) said: "On your wedding night; that is on the night when the marriage is to be consummated for the first time; and before intercourse, do two rak'as and ask your wife to follow suit behind you, and say the following invocation: اَللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لِيْ فِيْ أَهْلِيْ، وَبَارِكْ لَهُمْ فِيَّ، اَللَّهُمَّ اجْمَعْ بَيْنَنَا مَا جَمَعْتَ بِخَيْرٍ؛ وَفََرِّقْ بَيْنَنَا إِذَا فَرَّقْتَ إِلَى خَيْرٍ Transliteration: Allahumma barik li fi ahli, wa barik lahum fiyya, allahummajma' baynana majama'ta bikhayr, wa farriq baynana idha farraqta ilaa khayr.Translation: O Allah! Make my wife blessed for me and make me blessed for her O Allah! If You unite us, unite us on what is good, and if you separate us, separate us on what is good. [Transmitted by At-Tabarani, and classed by Al-Albani as authentic]
81. The Nineth Measure: (protection from the Satan during intercourse)
Ibn 'Abbas to (RA) reported: "The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'If you say the following invocation during sexual intercourse, and a baby is conceived, Satan would never harm that baby." بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ جَنِّبْنَا الشَّيْطَانَ، وَجَنِّبِ الشَّيْطَانَ مَا رَزَقْتَنَا Transliteration: Bismillah, Allahumma jannibna-sh-shaitan, wa jannibi-sh-shaitan ma razaqtana.Translation: In the name of Allah. O Allah! Keep us away from Satan, and keep Satan away from any blessing you bestow on us.) [Al-Bukhari (Fath Al-Bari:1/291) and MuslimOne Jinn told me, after his conversion to Islam and repentance, that he used to take part in a man's sexual intercourse with his wife, because that man did not say the above invocation. Glory be to Allah! We have so many valuable treasures but we do not appreciate their value.
82. The Tenth Measure
Make wudhu' before going to bed, recite Ayatul kursi and invoke Allah in bed until you fall asleep. It is confirmed that Satan told Abu Hurayra (RA): "Whoever recites Ayatul kursi before going to bed, he will be guarded by Allah (RA) and no Satan will approach him throughout the night" The Prophet (ﷺ) confirmed the Satan's statement and told Abu Hurayra (RA), "Satan told you the truth, but he is a liar." [Al-Bukhari (Fath Al-Bari: 6/338) and Muslim (An-Nawawi: 17/17)]
83. The Eleventh Measure
Say 100 times after salatul Fajr:لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌTransliteration: Laa ilahaa illAllahu wahdahu laa sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in qadirTranslation: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things.The Prophet (ﷺ) said that whosoever says it will have a reward equal to the manumission of 10 slaves, will have ten good deeds added to and ten bad deeds erased from his register, and will be protected by this supplication the Satan throughout the day until the evening. No one is better than he who says this supplication except a man who says more."
84. The Twelfth Measure
Upon entering the mosque, say: أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ العَظِيمِ، وَبِوَجْهِهِ الْكَرِيمِ، وَسُلْطَانِهِ الْقَدِيمِ، مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ Transliteration: A'oodhu billaahil-'Adheem, wa bi-Wajhihil-Kareem, wa Sultaanihil-qadeem, minash-Shaytaanir-rajeem.Translation: I seek refuge in Almighty Allah, by His Noble Face, by His primordial power, from Satan the outcast.It is confirmed that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Whenever a Muslim says the above invocation, Satan says, 'He is defended against me for the rest of the day." [Abu Dawud: 1/127]
85. The Thirteenth Measure
Say the following invocation, three times in the morning and three times in the evening: بِسْمِ اللهِ الَّذِي لاَ يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ Transliteration: (Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma'a ismihi shay'un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama'i wa Huwas-Sami'ul-'Alim.Translation: In the name of Allah with Whose Name nothing on earth or in heaven harms, and He is the All-Seeing, All-Knowing. (Sunan Ibn Majah 3869)
86. The Fourteenth Measure
Upon leaving the house say, بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّ Transliteration: Bismillaahi, tawakkaltu 'alallaahi, wa laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah.Translation: In the Name of Allah, I have placed my trust in Allah, there is no might and no power except by Allah.When you say it, you will be told (without your awareness): "You have been spared, protected and guided" The Satan will keep away from you and will tell another: "What can you do to a man who has been guided, protected and spared?" [Abu Dawud: 4/325 and At-Tirmidi: 5/154]
87. The Fifteenth Measure
Say, Three times أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ Transliteration: 'A'oodhu bikalimaatil-laahit-taammaati min sharri maa khalaqa.Translation: I take refuge in Allaah's perfect words from the evil He has created.In the morning and in the evening. [Muslim: (An-Nawawi: 17/32]These are all interesting protective measures against sihr in general and ar-rabt, in particular if applied sincerely and truthfully.