Satan is your first enemy

All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of mankind, jinn and all that exists, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, the last of the Prophets, and upon his family, companions, and his followers to the Day of Judgment.

Satan has a story with man that has begun since the beginning of creation, and will continue till the Day of Judgment. This story is the inherent hostility which started with our father Adam, peace be upon him, and continued with his descendants after him, Allah and His Messenger, peace be upon him, have warned us against the devil and his hostility towards us, and excited our fear of his tricks and plots, Allah the Almighty said: “Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” [Al-Baqarah 2:268]

{الشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالْفَحْشَاءِ وَاللَّهُ يَعِدُكُمْ مَغْفِرَةً مِنْهُ وَفَضْلًا وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ}  البقرة: 268

Transliteration: Alshshaytanu yaAAidukumu alfaqra wayamurukum bialfahshai waAllahu yaAAidukum maghfiratan minhu wafadlan waAllahu wasiAAun AAaleemun

And He says “Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy. He only invites his party to be among the companions of the Blaze.” [Fatir 35:6]

{إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا إِنَّمَا يَدْعُو حِزْبَهُ لِيَكُونُوا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ}  فاطر: 6

Transliteration: Inna alshshaytana lakum AAaduwwun faittakhithoohu AAaduwwan innama yadAAoo hizbahu liyakoonoo min ashabi alssaAAeeri

And Allah the Almighty says: “O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy. (168) He only orders you to evil and immorality and to say about Allah what you do not know.” [Al-Baqarah 2:168-169]

{يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ (168) إِنَّمَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالسُّوءِ وَالْفَحْشَاءِ وَأَنْ تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ} البقرة: 168-169

Transliteration: Ya ayyuha alnnasu kuloo mimma fee alardi halalan tayyiban wala tattabiAAoo khutuwati alshshaytani innahu lakum AAaduwwun mubeenun (168) Innama yamurukum bialssooi waalfahshai waan taqooloo AAala Allahi ma la taAAlamoona

and: “O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” [Al-Baqarah 2:208]

{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ} البقرة: 208

Transliteration: Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo odkhuloo fee alssilmi kaffatan wala tattabiAAoo khutuwati alshshaytani innahu lakum AAaduwwun mubeenun

And: “[The hypocrites are] like the example of Satan when he says to man, "Disbelieve." But when he disbelieves, he says, "Indeed, I am disassociated from you. Indeed, I fear Allah, Lord of the worlds."” [Al-Hashr 59:16]

{كَمَثَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِذْ قَالَ لِلْإِنْسَانِ اكْفُرْ فَلَمَّا كَفَرَ قَالَ إِنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِنْكَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللَّهَ رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ}  الحشر: 16

Transliteration: Kamathali alshshaytani ith qala lilinsani okfur falamma kafara qala innee bareeon minka innee akhafu Allaha rabba alAAalameena

The Qur'an has affirmed the hostility of Satan in many verses, a hostility behind which there is a goal Satan wants to obtain which is to drive every one of his followers to hellfire.

The essence of the doctrine of the Muslim Sunni and the unanimous Muslims is that they believe that Allah the Almighty has created the devils of jinn whispering to the children of Adam, and that they lie in wait for them and beat them together, Allah the Almighty said: “And indeed do the devils inspire their allies [among men] to dispute with you. And if you were to obey them, indeed, you would be associators [of others with Him].” [Al-An'am 6:121]

{...وَإِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَى أَوْلِيَائِهِمْ لِيُجَادِلُوكُمْ وَإِنْ أَطَعْتُمُوهُمْ إِنَّكُمْ لَمُشْرِكُونَ} الأنعام: 121

Transliteration: wainna alshshayateena layoohoona ila awliyaihim liyujadilookum wain ataAAtumoohum innakum lamushrikoona

And that Allah gives them power over whom He wishes of His slaves, Allah the Almighty said: “And incite [to senselessness] whoever you can among them with your voice and assault them with your horses and foot soldiers and become a partner in their wealth and their children and promise them." But Satan does not promise them except delusion.” [Al-Isra' 17:64]

{وَاسْتَفْزِزْ مَنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ مِنْهُمْ بِصَوْتِكَ وَأَجْلِبْ عَلَيْهِمْ بِخَيْلِكَ وَرَجِلِكَ وَشَارِكْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَولَادِ وَعِدْهُمْ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا}  الإسراء: 64

Transliteration: Waistafziz mani istataAAta minhum bisawtika waajlib AAalayhim bikhaylika warajlika washarikhum fee alamwali waalawladi waAAidhum wama yaAAiduhumu alshshaytanu illa ghurooran

Allah protects and guards whomever He wishes of His slaves from their cunning and plots, Allah the Almighty said: “Indeed, there is for him no authority over those who have believed and rely upon their Lord. (99) His authority is only over those who take him as an ally and those who through him associate others with Allah.” [An-Nahl 16:99-100]

{إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ (99) إِنَّمَا سُلْطَانُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَهُ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ بِهِ مُشْرِكُونَ}  النحل: 99-100

Transliteration: Innahu laysa lahu sultanun AAala allatheena amanoo waAAala rabbihim yatawakkaloona (99) Innama sultanuhu AAala allatheena yatawallawnahu waallatheena hum bihi mushrikoona

If the hostility is of this magnitude, then it is the duty of a Muslim to completely know his enemy; so that he would be able to take caution and beware of the temptation schemes set up for people by this enemy.

O Brothers in Islam, this message offers you a broad definition of Satan: his attributes and plots, and the reasons it beguiles man and beats him, so that we would be aware of our bitter enemy, in order to avoid all his attributes and identify his plots, and take preventive and guarding methods to overcome Satan and be protected against him. All these methods are selected from the Book of Allah the Almighty and the Sunnah (teachings) of His Prophet, peace be upon him, who explained the magnitude of the hostility and battle of this enemy so that the Muslim be adequately alert and vigilante in terms of facing this powerful enemy, the Qur'an and Sunnah guaranteed finding the necessary weapons to do so in every field.

We ask Allah the Almighty to benefit the Muslims until they return to be as good as were their righteous ancestors of the companions and followers and their followers until the Day of Judgment, agreeing with Allah's the Almighty words: “You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.” [Al-'Imran 3:110]

{كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ...}  آل عمران: 110

Transliteration: Kuntum khayra ommatin okhrijat lilnnasi tamuroona bialmaAAroofi watanhawna AAani almunkari watuminoona biAllahi

General definition of Satan

The thing that distinguishes Islam and makes it high and dignified is its ability to stand in front of adversities and tribulations, and its ability to offer to the Muslim the ways and means which help him to live in reassuring atmosphere. The Sunnah of the Prophet demonstrates ways and methods that can, if followed and committed to by the Muslim, ward off the evil of the devil jinn, God willing.

Now we offer some attributes of man's first enemy – Satan.

Satan is a fighting enemy

Satan has declared it a fierce war, which stems from the inherent evil inside him, and from his pride and grudge against mankind, and that he issued a permit of them from Allah, for a wisdom only Allah has knowledge of, so Satan took off to execute his threat to humiliate Allah's slave, Allah the almighty said: “[Iblîs (Satan)] said: “He said,"My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected." (36) [Allah] said, "So indeed, you are of those reprieved (37) Until the Day of the time well-known." (38) [Iblees] said, "My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all” [Al-Hijr 15:36-39]

{قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنْظِرْنِي إِلَى يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ (36) قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنْظَرِينَ (37) إِلَى يَوْمِ الْوَقْتِ الْمَعْلُومِ (38) قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ} الحجر: 36-39

Transliteration: Qala rabbi faanthirnee ila yawmi yubAAathoona (36) Qala fainnaka mina almunthareena (37) Ila yawmi alwaqti almaAAloomi (38) Qala rabbi bima aghwaytanee laozayyinanna lahum fee alardi walaoghwiyannahum ajmaAAeena

Satan fights his battle with the sons of Adam from all sides

Allah the Almighty said: “(Iblîs) said: “[Satan] said, "Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path. (16) Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You]."” [Al-A'raf 7:16-17]

{قَالَ فَبِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَاطَكَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ (16) ثُمَّ لَآَتِيَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ وَعَنْ أَيْمَانِهِمْ وَعَنْ شَمَائِلِهِمْ وَلَا تَجِدُ أَكْثَرَهُمْ شَاكِرِينَ}  الأعراف: 16-17

Transliteration: Qala fabima aghwaytanee laaqAAudanna lahum sirataka almustaqeema (16) Thumma laatiyannahum min bayni aydeehim wamin khalfihim waAAan aymanihim waAAan shamailihim wala tajidu aktharahum shakireena

Satan moves his recruits confidentially and secretly

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Satan circulates in the body of Adam's offspring as his blood circulates in it." [Narrator: Ali ibn Al-Hussein ibn Abi Talib, in Sahih Al-Bukhari]

»إن الشيطان يجري من ابن آدم مجرى الدم« رواه البخاري

As the blood reaches all parts of the body so does Satan, and as that man does not feel blood circulation; he does not feel the whispering of Satan.

Satan is proud

Allah the Almighty said: “And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate before Adam"; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.” [Al-Baqarah 2:34]

{وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآَدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ أَبَى وَاسْتَكْبَرَ} البقرة: 34

Transliteration: Waith qulna lilmalaikati osjudoo liadama fasajadoo illa ibleesa aba waistakbara wakana mina alkafireena

Satan suggests disputes and speaks about Allah without knowledge

Allah the Almighty said: “And of the people is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge and follows every rebellious devil.” [Al-Haj 22:3]

{وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يُجَادِلُ فِي اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّبِعُ كُلَّ شَيْطَانٍ مَرِيدٍ}  الحج: 3

Transliteration: Wamina alnnasi man yujadilu fee Allahi bighayri AAilmin wayattabiAAu kulla shaytanin mareedin

Satan sows conflicts among the faithful

Allah the Almighty said: “And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.” [Al-Isra' 17:53]

{وَقُلْ لِعِبَادِي يَقُولُوا الَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنْزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلْإِنْسَانِ عَدُوًّا مُبِينًا} الإسراء: 53

Transliteration: Waqul liAAibadee yaqooloo allatee hiya ahsanu inna alshshaytana yanzaghu baynahum inna alshshaytana kana lilinsani AAaduwwan mubeenan

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Verily, Satan has lost all hopes that the worshippers would ever worship him in the peninsula of Arabia, but he is hopeful that he would sow the seed of dissension amongst them." [Narrator: Jabir ibn Abdullah, in Sahih Muslim]

»إن الشيطان قد أيس أن يعبده المصلون في جزيرة العرب ولكن في التحريش بينهم« رواه مسلم

Satan is the brother of the spendthrifts

Allah the Almighty said: “Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils” [Al-Isra' 17:27]

{إِنَّ الْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوا إِخْوَانَ الشَّيَاطِينِ...}  الإسراء: 27

Transliteration: Inna almubaththireena kanoo ikhwana alshshayateeni

If man spendthrifts in anything he will be shared by Satan in it.

Satan calls things other than their real names

Allah the Almighty said about Satan: “Then Satan whispered to him; he said, "O Adam, shall I direct you to the tree of eternity and possession that will not deteriorate?"” [Taha 20: 120]

{فَوَسْوَسَ إِلَيْهِ الشَّيْطَانُ قَالَ يَا آَدَمُ هَلْ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى شَجَرَةِ الْخُلْدِ وَمُلْكٍ لَا يَبْلَى} طه: 120

Transliteration: Fawaswasa ilayhi alshshaytanu qala ya adamu hal adulluka AAala shajarati alkhuldi wamulkin la yabla

Satan called the forbidden tree the Tree of Eternity which is not its name.

The Qur'an of Satan is singing

Allah the Almighty said: “"And incite [to senselessness] whoever you can among them with your voice” [Al-Isra' 17:64]

{وَاسْتَفْزِزْ مَنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ مِنْهُمْ بِصَوْتِكَ...}  الإسراء: 64

Transliteration: Waistafziz mani istataAAta minhum bisawtika

The voice of Satan is singing, and the Psalms of the devil are the musical instruments, by which he has befooled many, and Allah is our help.

Satan begins hostility with the son of Adam since the day of his birth

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "There is none born among the off-spring of Adam, but Satan touches it. A child therefore, cries loudly at the time of birth because of the touch of Satan, except Mary and her child." [Narrator: Abu Huraira, in Sahih Al-Bukhari]

»ما من بني آدم مولود إلا يمسه الشيطان حين يولد ، فيستهل صارخا من مس الشيطان، غير مريم و ابنها« رواه البخاري

Satan orders the changing of Allah's created nature

Allah the Almighty said: “and I will command them so they will change the creation of Allah.” [An-Nisa 4:119]

{...وَلَآَمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُغَيِّرُنَّ خَلْقَ اللَّهِ...} النساء: 119

Transliteration: walaamurannahum falayughayyirunna khalqa Allahi

Satan eats, drinks, takes and gives by his left hand

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "you should eat with your right hand, you should drink with your right hand, you should take with your right hand and you should give with your right hand; because Satan eats with his left hand, he drinks with his left hand, he takes with his left hand and he gives with his left hand " [Narrator: Abu Huraira, authenticated by Al-Albani as Sahih]

»ليأكل أحدكم بيمينه ، وليشرب بيمينه ، وليأخذ بيمينه ، وليعط بيمينه ؛ فإن الشيطان يأكل بشماله ، ويشرب بشماله ، ويعطى بشماله ، ويأخذ بشماله« صحيح الألباني

Satan shares the son of Adam his sleep and food and drink if he does not mention the name of Allah

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "If a man enters his house and mentions Allah when entering and eating Satan says (to the devils): No Bed for you, no dinner for you', and, if the man enters and does not mention Allah, Satan says: 'You've found your bed', and if he does not mention Allah when eating Satan says: 'you have found bed and dinner" [Narrator: Jabir ibn Abdullah, authenticated by Al-Albani as Sahih].

»إذا دخل الرجل بيته فذكر الله عند دخوله ، وعند طعامه ، قال الشيطان: لا مبيت لكم ولا عشاء ، وإذا دخل فلم يذكر الله عند دخوله ، قال الشيطان: أدركتم المبيت ، فإذا لم يذكر الله عند طعامه قال: أدركتم المبيت والعشاء« صحيح الألباني

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Satan is present with any one of you in everything he does; he is present even when he eats food so if any one of you drops a mouthful he should remove away anything filthy on it and eat it and not leave it for the devil; and when he finishes eating he should lick his fingers, for he does not know in what portion of his food the blessing lies." [Narrator: Jabir ibn Abdullah, in Sahih Muslim]

»إن الشيطان يحضر أحدكم عند كل شيء من شأنه. حتى يحضره عند طعامه . فإذا سقطت من أحدكم اللقمة فليمط ما كان بها من أذى . ثم ليأكلها . ولا يدعها للشيطان . فإذا فرغ فليلعق أصابعه . فإنه لا يدري في أي طعامه تكون البركة« صحيح مسلم

Satan flees when he hears the call to prayer

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "When the call for prayer is made, Satan takes to his heels" [Narrator: Abu Huraira, in Sahih Al-Bukhari]

»إذا نودي بالصلاة أدبر الشيطان... «رواه البخاري

and he, peace be upon him, said: "When Satan hears the call to prayer, he runs away to a distance like that of Rauha," (Rauha is a place at a distance of thirty-six miles from Medina) [Narrator: Jabir bin Abdullah, in Sahih Muslim]

»إن الشيطان إذا سمع النداء بالصلاة ذهب حتى يكون مكان الروحاء« رواه مسلم

Moving the index finger in the tashahhud is more severe on Satan than iron

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "it is harder on the devil than iron" meaning: the index finger. [Narrator: Abdullah ibn Umar, authenticated by Al-Albani as Hassan]

»لهي أشد على الشيطان من الحديد« حسنه الألباني

Satan interrupts prayer if you do not take a curtain and get close to it

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Whenever anyone of you pray behind a sutra (curtain), you must get close to it, so that Satan will not interrupt your prayer" [Narrator: Sahl ibn Abi-Hathamah, authenticated by Al-Albani as Sahih].

»إذا صلى أحدكم إلى سترة فليدن منها لا يقطع الشيطان عليه صلاته« صحيح الألباني

Satan comes to the praying person while praying

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "When anyone of you stands for the prayers, Satan comes and puts him in doubts till he forgets how many Rakat he has prayed. So if this happens to anyone of you, he should perform two prostrations while sitting before he ends his prayer then finish your prayer" [Narrator: Abu Huraira, authenticated by Al-Albani as Sahih]

»إن الشيطان يأتي أحدكم في صلاته فيلبس عليه حتى لا يدري كم صلى ؟ فإذا وجد ذلك أحدكم فليسجد سجدتين وهو جالس« صحيح الألباني

Satan enters between the worshipers if there is a gap between them while praying

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "establish your rows (while praying the congregational prayer); because you are making rows as the angels', stand straight; shoulder to shoulder till you fill the gaps, and be flexible in the hands of your brothers, and do not leave any gaps for Satan, and whoever completes a row, Allah, blessed and exalted, will draw close to him, and whoever breaks a row, Allah, blessed and exalted, will draw away from him" [Narrator: Abdullah ibn Umar, authenticated by Ahmed Shaker as Sahih]

»أقيموا الصفوف فإنما تصفون بصفوف الملائكة وحاذوا بين المناكب وسدوا الخلل ولينوا في أيدي إخوانكم ولا تذروا فرجات للشيطان ومن وصل صفا وصله الله تبارك وتعالى ومن قطع صفا قطعه الله« قال أحمد شاكر: إسناده صحيح

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "align your rows and make them close by the necks; by Whose hand my soul is with, I have seen the devil entering from the gaps of the rows as if they were hadhaf" [Narrator: Anas ibn Malik, authenticated by Al-Albani as Sahih]. And hadhaf: is the children of sheep.

»رصوا صفوفكم وقاربوا بينها، وحاذوا بالأعناق؛ فوالذي نفسي بيده إني لأرى الشيطان يدخل من خلل الصف كأنها الحَذَف« صحيح الألباني

Satan sows enmity between brothers

As Satan has done with Yusuf (Joseph), peace be upon him. Allah the Almighty said, by the words of Yusuf: “after Satan had induced [estrangement] between me and my brothers.” [Yusuf 12:100]

{...مِنْ بَعْدِ أَنْ نَزَغَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَتِي...} يوسف: 100

Transliteration: min baAAdi an nazagha alshshaytanu baynee wabayna ikhwatee

Satan shows you what you hate in your sleep

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said "If anyone of you sees a dream that he likes, then it is from Allah, and he should thank Allah for it and narrate it to others; but if he sees something else, a dream that he dislikes, then it is from Satan." [Narrator: Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri, in Sahih Al-Bukhari]

»إذا رأى أحدكم الرؤيا يحبها ، فإنها من الله ، فليحمد الله عليها وليحدث بها ، وإذا رأى غير ذلك مما يكره ، فإنما هي من الشيطان... « رواه البخاري

Satan laughs at the Son of Adam if he yawns and does not put his hand on his mouth

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "sneezing is from Allah, and yawning is from Satan, if anyone of you yawns he should put his hand on his mouth, and if one says 'Ha Ha' when yawning, Satan will laugh at him full heartedly, and Allah likes sneezing and dislikes yawning" [Narrator: Abu Huraira, in Sahih Al-Tirmidhi]

»العطاس من الله ، والتثاؤب من الشيطان ، فإذا تثاءب أحدكم فليضع يده على فيه وإذا قال: آه آه ، فإن الشيطان يضحك من جوفه ، وإن الله يحب العطاس ويكره التثاؤب« صحيح الترمذي

Satan held at the back of the head of the sleeper three knots

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Satan puts three knots at the back of the head of any of you if he is asleep. On every knot he reads and exhales the following words, 'The night is long, so stay asleep.' When one wakes up and remembers Allah, one knot is undone; and when one performs ablution, the second knot is undone, and when one prays the third knot is undone and one gets up energetic with a good heart in the morning; otherwise one gets up lazy and with a mischievous heart." [Narrator: Abu Huraira, in Sahih Al-Bukhari]

»يعقد الشيطان على قافية رأس أحدكم إذا هو نام ثلاث عقد ، يضرب كل عقدة: عليك ليل طويل فارقد ، فإن استيقظ فذكر الله انحلت عقدة ، فإن توضأ انحلت عقدة ، فإن صلى انحلت عقدة ، فإصبح نشيطا طيب النفس ، وإلا أصبح خبيث النفس كسلان« رواه البخاري

Satan is tempted when the son of Adam travels alone

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "one rider is a devil, two riders are two devils, and three riders are a convoy" [Narrator: the grandfather of Amr ibn Shu'aib, in Al-Tirmidhi as Hassan]

»الراكب شيطان، والراكبان شيطانان، والثلاثة ركب« حسنه الترمذي

Satan keeps away from the congregation

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "if anyone of you wishes for the affluence of Paradise, he should stick to the congregation; for Satan is with the individual, and is further away from the two" [Narrator: Umar, authenticated by Al-Wade'i, by all its paths this Hadith is Sahih]

»فمن أراد منكم بحبوحة الجنة فليلزم الجماعة؛ فإن الشيطان مع الواحد، وهو من الاثنين أبعد« قال الوداعي: صحيح بمجموع طرقه

Satan seduces women when they get out of their houses

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "a woman should not be exposed; when she goes out, she is accompanied by Satan." [Narrator: Abdullah, authenticated by ibn Al-Qattan as Sahih]

»المرأة عورة؛ فإذا خرجت استشرفها الشيطان« صحيح ابن قطان

Satan is the third of a woman and a man in privacy

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "No man is privately alone with a woman; but their third is Satan". [Narrator: Omar, authenticated by Ibn Baz as Sahih]

»لا يخلون رجل بامرأة؛ فإن ثالثهما الشيطان« قال ابن الباز: إسناده صحيح

Satan affects the excess blood in menstruation in some women

It was narrated from Aisha, may Allah be pleased with them, that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said to her about the excess blood of the menses: "but this is a hit from Satan's" [Narrator: Hamnah bint Jahsh, authenticated by Imam Ahmad as Hassan and Sahih].

»إنما هذه ركضة من ركضات الشيطان« قال الإمام أحمد: حسن صحيح

If Satan hits that blood vessel it will shed blood.

Satan does not take a siesta

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Take a siesta for the devils do not take siestas." [Narrator: Anas bin Malik, authenticated by Al-Albani as Hassan]

»قيلوا فإن الشياطين لا تقيل« حسنه الألباني

Siesta: sleep in the afternoon.

Satan advocates for his message in the astray paths

Allah the Almighty said: “And, [moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way.” [Al-An'am 6:153]

{وَأَنَّ هَذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِ...} الأنعام: 153

Transliteration: Waanna hatha siratee mustaqeeman faittabiAAoohu wala tattabiAAoo alssubula fatafarraqa bikum AAan sabeelihi

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, in explaining this verse drew a line by his hand, then said: "This is the way of Allah: straight" then he drew some lines on his right and on his left, and then said: "there is none of these lines but is headed by a devil advocating for himself" and then he recited: {"And verily, this is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths} [Narrator: Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, authenticated by Ahmed Shaker as Sahih]

»خط رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم خطا بيده ثم قال: هذا سبيل الله مستقيما قال: ثم خط عن يمينه وشماله ثم قال : هذه السبل ليس منها سبيل إلا عليه شيطان يدعو إليه ثم قرأ : {وَأَنَّ هَذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ} « أحمد شاكر: إسناده صحيح

Satan grows if insulted by the son of Adam, and diminishes when Allah is mentioned

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said, when the mount and others stumble: "do not say: woe to the devil, because if you say that it will grow to be as big as this house, and it will say: by my power, but say: In the Name of Allah; for if you say that the devil will diminish until it becomes as small as flies" [Narrator: a man, authenticated by Al-Albani as Sahih]

»لا تقل: تعس الشيطان، فإنك إذا قلت ذلك تعاظم حتى يكون مثل البيت، ويقول: بقوتي، ولكن قل: بسم الله؛ فإنك إذا قلت ذلك تصاغر الشيطان حتى يكون مثل الذباب« صححه الألباني

Satan comes with anger

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "I know a word (sentence) the saying of which will cause him to relax if this man says it. Only if he said, "I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the outcast,' he will be relaxed." [Narrator: Suleiman ibn Sarad, in Sahih Al-Bukhari].

»كلمة لو قالها ذهب عنه ما يجد ، لو قال: أعوذ بالله من الشيطان ، ذهب عنه ما يجد« رواه البخاري

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said this about a man with a red and swollen face from anger.

Satan does not come near whoever recites Ayat-al-Kursi

It was true that Satan said to Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him: "Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat-al-Kursi, if you do so Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no devil will come near you till morning." the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, certified that by saying: "He really spoke the truth, although he is an absolute liar." [Narrator: Abu Huraira, in Sahih Al-Bukhari]

»صدقك وهو كذوب« رواه البخاري

Satan is chained in Ramadan

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "When Ramadan comes, the gates of Heaven are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up" [Narrator: Abu Huraira, in Sahih Muslim]

»إذا جاء رمضان فتحت أبواب الجنة، وغلقت أبواب النار، وصفدت الشياطين« رواه مسلم

Satan does not withstand sincere repentance

Allah the Almighty said: “Indeed, those who fear Allah - when an impulse touches them from Satan, they remember [Him] and at once they have insight.” [Al-A'raf 7:102]

{إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ تَذَكَّرُوا فَإِذَا هُمْ مُبْصِرُونَ} الأعراف: 201

Transliteration: Inna allatheena ittaqaw itha massahum taifun mina alshshaytani tathakkaroo faitha hum mubsiroona

Satan is weak and feeble in front of the faithful

Allah the Almighty said about Satan: [Iblees] said, "My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all” [Al-Hijr 15:39]

{قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ} الحجر: 39

Transliteration: Qala rabbi bima aghwaytanee laozayyinanna lahum fee alardi walaoghwiyannahum ajmaAAeena

And Allah the Almighty does not accept the work except that which is performed purely for His sake.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Allah does not accept the work except that which is performed purely for His sake, and except that which is seeking His Countenance" [Narrator: Abu Umamah Al-Bahili, authenticated by Al-'Iraqi as Hassan]

»إن الله لا يقبل من العمل إلا ما كان خالصًا له وابتغي به وجهه« قال العراقي: إسناده حسن

Finally: know O brother of faith that Allah the Almighty did not make Satan powerful over a person without creating a way for His slave to resist him by obeying Allah, hence man has power and oppression over Satan; so whoever finds good he should praise Allah, and whoever finds otherwise he should not blame but himself.

If you - Muslim brother - was keen not to let Satan be mischievous with you; make sure to abide by the commandment of the Prophet, peace be upon him, in performing zikr and wird (certain words which the Prophet invoked Allah with in certain situations) in general; whoever persevered them reassured himself, his family and his offspring against the plots of Satan and the evils of time, and Allah was his suffice and guard.

May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions.

Author: Abdullah ibn Abdul-Hamid Al-Athari

Publisher: Dar Ibn Khuzaimah

Site of Islamic Booklets

Translated by Wathakker.info website