Why do we seek refuge in Allah from Satan?
لماذا نستعيذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم؟
Seeking refuge (Istia'dah) is an acknowledgment of our human vulnerability and a declaration of our reliance on Allah's power. Satan's primary goal is to interfere with our worship and distract us from the Quran's guidance. However, as long as a believer remains sincere and practices Tawakkul (trust in Allah), Satan's attempts remain powerless and ineffective.
الاستعاذة ليست مجرد كلمات، بل هي حال قلبي يطلب فيه العبد المعونة من الله قبل البدء بأي عمل خير، وبخاصة قراءة القرآن. فالشيطان يحرص على صرف الإنسان عن التدبر وفهم مراد الله، فإذا صدق العبد في التجائه وتوكله على ربه، كفاه الله شره وحفظ له أجر عمله.
Quranic Evidence | الدليل من القرآن الكريم
(So when you recite the Qur'an, [first] seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy]. He certainly has no authority over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord.)
(فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ * إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ)
[سورة النحل: الآيات ٩٨-٩٩]
Scholarly Insight: The inclusion of verse 99 clarifies a fundamental principle: Satan's weakness. The "Sultan" (authority) mentioned is not absolute; it is forfeited when a believer actively chooses faith and reliance on Allah. This teaches us that the best defense against temptation is the continuous strengthening of our internal trust in the Almighty.