How Do I Seek Protection from Evil and Harm?
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question: As salam alaykum,
What can be recited to completely undo magic that has been done to me by a recently deceased relative? I also have somebody bothering me in my sleep. What can I do about this?
Answer: Walaikum assalam,
I pray this finds you in the best of health and spirits.
The general “treatment” is four matters:
(1) Renew commitment to perform the five daily prayers on time, with renewed commitment to turn to Allah in them. This is the greatest protection of light, from Allah.
(2) Renew your commitment to leave sins—particularly major sins such as wronging others, nor fulfilling their rights, breaking closing relations, or other wrongdoing. This is the source of greatest darkness in life, and repentance from such sins removes the darkenesses that lead to spiritual and other harms.
(3) Recite the three Qul’s (Surat al-Ikhlas, Surat al-Falaq, Surat al-Nas—Suras 112-114 of the Qur’an), regularly. At least, commit to reciting them upon waking and when going to sleep. Ideally, also recite them after every obligatory prayer—bringing to mind their meanings, each time, as one recites them. Surat al-Ikhlas tells us about the Absolute Uniqueness and Perfection of Allah (al-Ahad, the Unique One); that Allah is the Absolutely Independent (al-Samad), whom all depend upon; and that He is Absolutely Self-Reliant, and Absolutely Distinct from everything, in every way—for everything besides Him is created by Him and dependent upon Him. Surat al-Falaq and Surat al-Nas teach us to seek shelter in the protection, care, and mercy of Allah from every type of harm—recognizing that we our hope and fear, reliance and trust are only upon Him.
(4) Recite Ayat al-Kursi, similarly—morning and night, and ideally after every prayer. Recite it with reflection on its meanings. Ayat al-Kursi tells us about Allah’s Unique Oneness: that He alone is the Absolutely Living (al-Hayy), whom all life depends upon for its very existence; and that He is the Absolutely Sustaining (al-Qayyum), who needs none to sustain Him, and who sustains all things in every way, at every moment—and the rest of the verse tells us about the Absolute Knowledge, Will, and Power of our Mighty and Merciful Lord.
If you wish further assistance, three recommended practices are:
1. Perform the prayer of need (salat al-haja):
Perform wudu, and pray two rakats of prayer, after which you should make heart-felt dua, asking Allah for your needs. It is good to recite the specifically-recommended sunna supplication (dua) of need:
How Does One Perform The Prayer Of Need (salat al-haja)?
2. Recite this brief Prophetic supplication, regularly:
يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيثُ
“O Alive and everlasting One,
I beseech You by Your mercy.” [Mustadrak Hakim]
See also:
Some Prophetic Supplications for Difficulty and Distress
3. Many scholars (such as Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf) recommend this practice:
After Isha, recite Hasbuna’l Llahu wa ni`ma’l Wakeel (Allah is our sufficiency and is the best of guardians) 450 times, sitting alone in a quiet room, facing the qibla, in state of wudu, with reflection on its meanings.
This is taken from the Qur’anic praise of true believers, in Surah Aal-Imran:
“Those whose faith only increased when people said, ‘Fear your enemy: they have amassed a great army against you,’ and who replied, ‘God is enough for us: He is the best protector,’ returned with grace and bounty from God; no harm befell them. They pursued God’s good pleasure. God’s favour is great indeed.” [3.173-175]
And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.
If there remain harms beyond this, then consult a reliable, learned scholar about the specifics.
wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani
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