The Knots of Shaytan

By Noor Mustafa Aziz al Masri 
December 2, 2000

It is a well-documented fact that Iblis and jinn are dwelling amongst us.

“And I (Allaah) created not the jinn’s and humans, except they should worship Me (Alone).” [al-Dhaariyaat 51:56].

But if we follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Rasool (saw) and take the proper precautions, we can protect ourselves from the evil influence of shaytan and the jinn.

It is reported by way of Abi Hurayrata , that someone used to come upon him and take from the charity - which the Prophet saw had made him guardian over - night after night, so on the third night, he said: I will report you to the Messenger of Allah saw, the man said: Let me teach you some phrases with which Allah will cause you benefit - they were very eager for good - so he said: When you go to bed, read Ayahtal-kursee (47) completely, for there is still upon you from Allaah a guardian, and no shaytan can get close to you until you enter upon morning. Then he said: "He told you the truth and he is a liar, ([that was a shaytan])".

Unfortunately, there are times in our lives when we will fall asleep without reading Qur’an or the circumstances of this dunya prevent us from reading the above mention Sur’ah. But, Subhana’Allaah our Rabb Allaah (swt) is All Knowing and Merciful! He has given us other means to protect ourselves from the influence of the “liar.” Shaytan is a cunning and sly individual and his ways of getting to us and influencing us to do haraam things goes far beyond our normal expectations. However, by taking a few simple and easy steps we can keep ourselves safe from harm Insha’Allah.

What to do?

Du’aa: Make the following du’aa on first awakening in the morning before you get up from your bed.

It was reported that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “Abu Bakr said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, teach me something that I can say in the morning and in the evening.’ He said: ‘Say, Allaahumma ‘Aalim al-ghaybi wa’l-shahaadah, Faatir al-samawaati wa’l-ard, Rabba kulli shay’in wa maleekahu, ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa anta. A’oodhi bika min sharri nafsi wa min sharr il-shaytaan wa shirkih (O Allaah, Knower of the seen and the unseen, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Lord and Sovereign of all things, I bear witness that there is no god except You. I seek refuge in You from the evil of my own self and from the evil and shirk of the Shaytaan). Say this in the morning and in the evening, and when you go to bed.’” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3392; Abu Dawood, 5067).

Sahih Bukhari Volume 2, Book 21, Number 243: Narrated Abu Huraira (R) Allaahs Apostle 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 Allaah, 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."

Wudu: Always make ablution before you begin your salat fajr. When you finish your wudu or Ghusl then you can say either of the following du’a (supplications):

It is reported by way of Umar ibn Al-Khattab that the Prophet (saw) said: "There is not one of you that makes wudu, and performs the rites of wudu, then says when he has completed his wudu: sh-hadu n lã ilãha illa llãhu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, wa nna Muhammadan `abduhu wa rasooluhu (67), except that the eight gates of Heaven would open up for him, that he may enter from whichever he would please".

Transliteration: “I bear witness that there is no ilãh except Allaah alone, no partner has he, and that Muhammad is His bondservant, and Messenger.”

Authentication: Reported by Muslim, Abu Dãwood, An-Nisãî and Ahmad. Al-Albãni said it was sound in his Sahih l-Jãmi` As-Sagheer wa Ziyãdatih. This hadith is #162 in his Sahih «i-Dawood, and #96 in l-irwã

It is reported by way of «i Sa`eed that the Prophet saw said: "Whoever performs wudu then says after he has completed his wudu: Subhãnaka llãhumma wa bihamdika, sh-hadu n lã ilãha illa nta, staghfiruka wa toobu ilayka (66), it would be written on vellum then sealed; thereafter, it would not be broken till The Day of Resurrection

Authentication: Al-Albãni said it was sound in Sahih l-Jãmi` as-Sagheer wa Ziyãdatih and that it was reported by An-Nisãî, and Al-Hakim.

Volume 4, Book 54, Number 491: Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allaah's Apostle (saws) said, "During your sleep, Satan knots three knots at the back of the head of each of you, and he breathes the following words at each knot, The night is, long, so keep on sleeping, If that person wakes up and celebrates the praises of Allaah, then one knot is undone, and when he performs ablution the second knot is undone, and when he prays, all the knots are undone, and he gets up in the morning lively and gay, otherwise he gets up dull and gloomy. " 

Salat: Always begin your salat fajr on time and begin your prayer with the following du’a (supplication): “Verily, Al- Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours.” [al-Nisaa’ 4:103]

“Guard strictly (five obligatory) al-Salawaat (the prayers), especially the middle prayer (i.e., the best prayer – ‘Asr). And stand before Allaah with obedience” [al-Baqarah 2:238]

Volume 4, Book 54, Number 492: Narrated «dullah:

It was mentioned before the Prophet that there was a man who slept the night till morning (after sunrise). The Prophet said, "He is a man in whose ears (or ear) Satan had urinated."

It is reported by way of ishata ra, Abi Saîd, and others: That when the Prophet would start his salãt he would say: Subhãnaka llãhumma wa bihamdika, wa tabãraka ismuka, wa ta`ãlã jadduka, wa lã ilãha ghayruka (90)

Sahih Muslim Book 004, Number 1702:

Abu Huraira transmitted it from the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him): When any one of you goes to sleep, the devil ties three knots at the back of his neck, sealing every knot with:" You have a long night, so sleep." So if one awakes and mentions Allaah, a knot will be loosened; if he performs ablution two knots are loosened; and if he prays (all) knots will be loosened, and in the morning he will be active and in good spirits; otherwise we will be in bad spirits and sluggish in the morning.

Because the jinn can see us but we cannot see them, the Prophet saw by the Grace of Allaah has taught us many ways to protect ourselves from their harm. Our strongest ally against them is strength of faith and religion. We all must continue to educate ourselves and gain knowledge in Islaam and we must diligently follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Rasool (saw) By doing this we will have armed ourselves with all of the tools that are necessary to protect ourselves and our families from all things that are harmful in this dunya. So, guard your deen Muslimeen and Allaah (swt) will protect you.

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