When ever we start praying or reading Noble Qur’an, we have been instructed to recite:

“Auzo Billahe Minash Shaitaanir Rajeem” means “O Allah! I seek protection from the cursed Shaitaan”

When Allah (s.w.t.) created Adam from the soil and ordered the angels to prostrate him, every one complied with the order except Shaitaan. On his refusal, he was expelled but he vowed that he will seduce and mislead men till the specified time to avenge his expulsion. He is a sworn enemy of human race. Men cannot see him but he watches us all the time. Hence it is extremely important to be on our guard.

We should seek Allah’s refuge for protection against this cunning enemy. The prayer for protection from Shaitaan should not be restricted to recitation orally but should understand the meaning, experience sincerely by our hearts together with the realization of the Might and Power of Allah (s.w.t.)

PIETY: The most important pillar of protection from Shaitaan is piety. As soon as any evil thought comes to our minds, we should remember Allah (s.w.t.). As stated in Noble Qur’an: “When a Satanic thought starts to bother the pious ones, they understand and see the light.” (7:201)

Then we should resort to zikr because we know that this is the work of Shaitaan as he is our sworn enemy as stated in Holy Qur;an: “Children of Adam, did We not command you not to worship Shaitaan? He was your sworn enemy: (36:60)

At the time of anger, Shaitaan encourages man to return the opponent’s argument and subsequently may lead to violence but if he remembers Allah he will be calm. Similarly, one of the acts of piety is to visit parent’s graves.

If one gets an idea to do any good deed for which one is absolutely certain that it is good then one should immediately perform that deed. If an idea comes in one’s mind and he is sure that it is a sin, then he should remember Allah and seek his refuge. But if an idea comes to our mind for which we are not sure whether it is good or sinful, for such situations our Infallible Imams (a.s.) have given this formula; “every act which is in accordance with our desires are Satanic and that act which is against our desires is virtuous.”

TRUST: People who rely on worldly resources, Shaitaan overpower them, but will not come near those who have trust in Almighty. As stated in the Noble Qur’an:  “(Muhammad), when you recite the Qur’an, seek refuge in Allah from the mischief of the most wicked Shaitaan. Shaitaan has certainly no authority over the believers who have trust in their Lord.” (16:98, 99)

“…..Have trust in Allah if you are true believers.” (5:23)

Addressing the Holy Prophet, Allah says: “….Forgive them and ask Allah to forgive and consult with them in certain matters. But, when you reach a decision, trust Allah. Allah loves those who trust Him.” (3:159)

We should always have trust in Allah for our benefits of this world or for Hereafter. For worldly things, we should make concerted efforts and trust Allah for the results, but should not have greed.

Trust in Allah is based on the following:

He has unlimited ability to perform any thing. He knows every thing potent or latent in our hearts. He has unlimited love for His creatures. His enormous love for humanity could be realized by the following event: When the ummat of Prophet Nooh was destroyed by his curse. He used to make earthen pots and sell it for his subsistence. One day, an angel came to him and purchased all the earthen pots and started to break them right in front of him. Prophet Nooh objected and protested for this act. The angel said that because he had paid for those pots and they were his property. He could do what ever he wanted with them.

Prophet Nooh said that he felt sorry because he had made them with his own hands. The angel replied that he had made them but did not create them. How much pain the Almighty Allah must have felt when thousands of people were drowned due to his curse!

If we have true and real trust in Allah, then we will not be afraid of any thing or any one.

Hence make Allah your pleader and have trust and confidence in Him, leave every thing to Him to take care and you need not worry.

If we think for a moment who cures a sick man, physician or medicine?Who made the medicines, who embodied cure in the basic ingredients of a medicine? Who made the physician, who directed the physician for correct diagnosis? There are numerous cases where the physicians either could not diagnose the sickness or erroneously prescribed wrong medicine resulting in patient’s death. Hence, every benefit we get, every success we achieve, every potential loss averted, is with Allah’s will.

Trust in Allah should be everlasting and not seasonal! Of course, nothing can be achieved in a short time. It requires persistent and continuous efforts.

There are three stages of trust on Allah; first the basic one in which a Muslim should not consider Him less than an attorney in our society. Second, at least have that much trust as a child has in his mother. Third is the stage of “the sincere ones” in which category the Prophets and Infallible Imams are placed. Their life revolves around the Allah’s will. Prophet Ibrahim belonged to that category. When the Nimrod’s forces threw Prophet Ibrahim in the mammoth fire and he was still in the air when Jibreel came to him and asked: “Do you need any thing?” He replied: “Yes, but not from you.” Jibreel asked: “Then with whom?”

Prophet Ibrahim replied: “With Him who is fully aware of my needs. What ever is His wish is my wish!”

It is reported that once a man came to Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) and complained of poverty. The Imam told him to go back to Kufa and get a shop on rent. He replied that he did not possess any capital. Imam told him not to worry about it. When he reached Kufa, he complied with Imam’s instructions. A man brought some merchandise and asked him to buy it. He replied that he did not have money to pay but the seller offered him credit. Likewise, few more people came and sold merchandise to him on credit. Simultaneously, purchasers also arrived and his business flourished. Allah has promised sustenance to every human being and He arranges circumstances.

A person asked the Commander of the Faithful; “What is the limit of believe?”

The Imam replied: “Faith” He asked: “What is the limit of faith?” The Imam replied; “Trust in Allah”

The effectiveness of cause is dependant on the Will of Allah. So we should not give credit to the cause but to the Will of Allah. Similarly, there is a tradition: “Innamal Aa’maalo Binniyyaat” It means the acceptance of our deeds is dependent up on our “Intentions”.

Only Allah (s.w.t.) is fully aware of the state of our minds and our intentions.