In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

Remembering Allah when entering the home drives away Shaytaan

By Shaykh Zayd al-Madkhali may Allah have mercy on him

Jabir [May Allah be pleased with him] reported: I heard Messenger of Allah [peace and blessings be upon him] saying,

‏إذا دخل الرجل بيته، فذكر الله تعالى عند دخوله وعند طعامه، قال الشيطان:‏ لا مبيت لكم ولا عشاء، وإذا دخل ، فلم يذكر الله تعالى عند دخوله، قال الشيطان‏:‏ أدركتم المبيت؛ وإذا لم يذكر الله تعالى عند طعامه قال‏:‏ أدركتم المبيت والعشاء

This hadith contains important guidance for the Muslims that will lead to protection from the Shayaateen [plural of Shaytaan – devils]. All praises are due to Allah who has informed us of the plots and schemes of the Shayaateen upon the people of Islaam. Allah has guided [us to the methods of] fortifying ourselves from these Shayaateen, and from [these guidances] is at the time of entering the home. When you enter your home you should begin with the remembrance of Allah either by saying “Subhaanallah, wal-Hamdulillah, wa Laa ilaha ill Allah, wallahu Akbar” or by reciting Suratul Asr, or Suratul Ikhlaas [Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad], or any other legislated remembrance – and to give salaam to those present.

For surely Shaytaan is constantly striving to cause corruption on earth.

Allah said,

إِنَّهُ ۥ يَرَٮٰكُمۡ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُ ۥ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا تَرَوۡنَہُمۡ‌ۗ

“…Verily, he and Qabîluhu [his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe] see you from where you cannot see them…” (Surah al-‘Araaf: 27)

Shaytaan and his soldiers, those who are with him sees, mankind [from places where mankind cannot see them]. Therefore, listen to this hadith! Whenever a man enters his home and does not give the salaam, or remember Allah, then Shaytaan says to those in his evil group, “you have found [a place] to spend the night in as well as food”. So [the Shaytaan and his soldiers] share the same home for the night and they eat along with this person – but they are not seen.

However, the remembrance of Allah is a protection that drives away the Shayaateen. So when the Muslim enters his home, remembers his Lord and mentions [Allah] at the time of eating the Shaytaan says. “you have found no where to spend the night and no dinner”. As a result, the accursed Shaytaan fails to actualize his plans. But he prevails over the people of ignorance and negligence – those who do not remember Allah except for a little.

This hadith is from the guidance of the Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] that preserves the souls of the Muslims, their off-springs, their families, their wealth – and only with the remembrance of Allah can these things be preserved. Therefore, O Muslim, you must remember your Lord when you enter your home, when you leave it and in all instances. For remembrance of Allah drives away the Shayaateen from mankind and jinn – and this includes any type of remembrance like: reciting the Qur’an, glorifying Allah, praising Him, saying Laa ilaha ill Allah [there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah], or reciting something from the legislated texts of the Prophetic tradition. All of this is [considered to be] remembrance, therefore, the Muslim must be diligent in remembering Allah.