You may have heard Auzubillah Minashaitan Nirajeem, an Arabic phrase which is recited by Muslims daily. In reading Quran we often begin by saying auzubillah minashaitan ni rajeem bismillahir rahmanir rahim. In reading salat before recitation of Surah fatiha Muslim’s also begin by saying this phrase.

What exactly is the meaning of auzubillah minashaitan nirajeem?

The meaning is “I seek refuge in Allah from the outcast Shaitan”. Shaitan meaning satan, devil or iblis. Continuing with “bismillahir rahmanir rahim” translates to “in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”. It is sunnah to say this phrase before beginning reading any chapter of the Quran except Surah Tawbah.

In Surah Nahl, ayah 98 it says, “So when you recite the Qur’an, [first] seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy].” From this verse, reciting Auzubillah is important whether you’re starting from the beginning of surah or from the middle of a longer passage like Surah Baqarah.

Other common spellings:

  • auzubillah minashaitan ni rajeem
  • auzubillah minash shaitan rajeem
  • audhubillah min al shaitan nirajeem
  • a’oodhu billaahi min al-shaytaan ir-rajeem
  • auzu billahi minash shaitan rajeem
  • audhubillah min al shaytan al rajeem
  • audhu billahi min ash shaytanir rajim
  • a’udhu billahi min ash-shaytanir-rajim

Written in Arabic:

In Arabic auzubillah minashaitan nirajeem is written:

أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم

There are hadiths which emphasize the virtue or benefits of this phrase:

Hadith on controlling Anger:

Sulaiman b. Surad reported that two persons abused each other in the presence of Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) and one of them fell into a rage and his face became red. Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) saw him and said:

I know of a wording; if he were to utter that, he would get out (of the fit of anger) (and the wording is): I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed. Thereupon, a person went to him who had heard that from Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) and said to him: Do you know what Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said? He (the Holy Prophet) said: I know of a wording; if he were to say that, (the fit) would be no more (and the words are): I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed. And the person said to him: Do you find me mad?

Reference: Sahih Muslim 2610 b
In-book reference: Book 45, Hadith 144

Hadith Establishing Prayer:

It was narrated from Ibn Mas’ud that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minash-Shaitanir-rajim, wa hamzihi wa nafkhihi wa mafthihi (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the accursed Satan, from his madness, his pride, and his poetry).”

Grade: Hasan (Darussalam)
English reference: Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 808
Arabic reference: Book 5, Hadith 857

Arabic Phrase Used in Sentence:

Here are real life examples of Muslim’s using the phrase in a normal context. We retrieved these from Facebook and Twitter:

Example #1:
He said “Auzubillah Minashaitan Nirajeem” (i seek refuge in Allah from satan the evil.) and the whole podium collapsed, Does it mean they’re the….

Example #2:
When ever you want to wake up for fajr and something is holding you back, it’s shaitan! Just say Auzubillah minashaitan nirajeem

Example #3:
I swore I heard someone knocking on my room door but no one was up here….. AUZUBILLAH MINASHAITAN NIRAJEEM BISMILLAHIR RAHMANIR RAHEEM

More practically, we can begin any action, task, chore by saying this phrase. In doing so, you are asking Allah to protect your from the evils of shaytan while also exalting him.

This is definitely an encouraged act. It’s a good habit to get into, it will make you more conscious of your actions and can be a good moral compass preventing you from doing something you may regret. 

 

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