Istiazah has received the maximum attention in the Glorious
Qur’an and the traditions of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and his Pure
Progeny, seeking Allah’s help to protect oneself against the maneuvering of
Shaitan. Ayatullah Sayyid Abdul Husain Dasteghaib had discussed at length
this topic in his thirty lectures.
The seeking of protection from Allah should be sincerely
from the depths of our hearts which is manifested by reciting orally “audhu
billahi min ash-shaitanir rajeem”. Allah (s.w.t.) highlights the importance
of Istiazah in Sura an-Nahal Ayah 98, “So when you recite the Qur’an, seek
refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaitan.” We can defend an enemy when
we can see him but in case of Shaitan, he can see us, but we cannot see him. Ayah
27 of Surah al-A’raf describes this point as, “He (surely) sees you, he as well
as his host, from whence you cannot see them; surely We have made the Shaitans
to be the guardians of those who do not believe.” While reciting prayer, it
is mandatory that after reciting the ‘Takbirat al-ihraam’ (Allaho Akbar) one
should say ‘Istiazah’ in a low tone. Because Shaitan is the archenemy of
mankind and had wowed to distract the man and he tries to stop a man from doing
any virtuous deed. Hence, we should recite Istiazah before preparing for prayer
(Namaz) like before performing ablution (wudhu) or before entering the mosque.
Similarly, it is mandatory to recite Istiazah even while performing normal
chores like going out of the house, eating, drinking, or wearing clothes.
Men always wish to have Presence of Allah (Qurbatan Ilallah)
but Shaitan tries his best to prevent him from achieving this end and puts
every hurdle and impediment. The one and only way of precluding this risk is to
seek Allah’s protection. Allah has ordered His Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)
in Surah al-Muminun Ayah 97 and 98, “And say: O my Lord! I seek Your protection
from the evil suggestions of the Shaitans and I seek Your protection, my Lord, from
their presence near me.” Similarly, in Surah al-Naas Allah says, “Say, ‘I seek
the protection of the Lord of humans, Sovereign of humans, God of humans, from
the evil of the sneaky tempter (Shaitan)…”
Therefore, when enemy is so powerful and strong, we should
not be complacent and unmindful of him. A story will elaborate that what a
person thought the whole life that he was worshiping the Creator but at the
time of his demise from this world, he discovered that he was worshiping
Shaitan. Ayatullah Ali al-Haeri narrated in “Muntakhab al-Tawareeq” that
in a village in Isfahan, a young man was in the last throes of his life. A
pious person was requested to say ‘Talqeen’. During the Talqeen when the sick
person said” la ilaha illa Allah” to bear witness to the Unity of Allah, from
the corner of the room a sound came, “My creature says the truth”. When the
sick man said,” Ya Allah”. Then again, the same sound came from the corner of
the room, “My creature I am here.” The pious person asked, “Who are you that
calls?” The reply was, ‘I am the one whom this person had worshiped all his
life-I am Shaitan” Yes! It is a fact this person worshiped Shaitan his
entire life. His tongue spoke at Shaitan’s order. His eyes saw things in
response to Shaitan’s wishes. His heart responded to Shaitan’s wishes. When
throughout his life the person was at the call of Shaitan, then at the time of Talqeen whether he said ‘Ya Rabb’ or ‘ya Iblees’ his respondent can only be
Shaitan! Simply oral repetition of ‘Istiazah’ will not help unless we
understand this word and mold our actions as per Commandments of Allah (s.w.t.).
In the traditions of Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.), particular attention
is drawn for ‘Istiazah’ in the following situations:
When a person is alone with a stranger from opposite gender
(such as a man with a young woman), it is imperative that he seeks Allah’s
protection from Shaitan because in such a situation Shaitan makes its utmost
efforts to mislead.
Similarly, when a person is in frenzy of anger, his blood
boils and Shaitan dominates him with full force and makes him commit any
prohibited acts, even infidelity (kufr).
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