What does Isti`adhah mean :
Isti`adhah means, "I seek refuge with Allah from the cursed Satan so that he is prevented from affecting my religious or worldly affairs, or hindering me from adhering to what I was commanded, or luring me into what I was prohibited from.'' Indeed, only Allah is able to prevent the evil of Satan from touching the son of Adam. This is why Allah allowed us to be lenient and kind with the human devil, so that his soft nature might cause him to refrain from the evil he is indulging in. However, Allah required us to seek refuge with Him from the evil of Satan, because he neither accepts bribes nor does kindness affect him, for he is pure evil. Thus, only He Who created Satan is able to stop his evil. This meaning is reiterated in only three Ayat in the Qur'an. Allah said in Surat Al-A`raf,
"(Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish
(i.e. don't punish them)" (7:199)
This is about dealing with human beings. He then said in the same Surah,
"And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaytan, then seek refuge with Allah.
Verily, He is Hearing, Knowing "(7: 200)
Allah also said in Surat Al-Mu'minun,
Repel evil with that which is better. We are Best-Acquainted with
the things they utter. And say: "My Lord! I seek refuge with You
from the whisperings (suggestions) of the Shayatin (devils).
And I seek refuge with You, My Lord! lest they should come near me.''
(23:96-98).
Further, Allah said in Surat As-Sajdah
"The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil)
with one which is better, then verily he, between whom and you
there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend.
But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient
ـ and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion
(of happiness in the Hereafter, i.e. Paradise and of a high moral
character) in this world. And if an evil whisper from Shaytan
tries to turn you away (from doing good), then seek refuge in Allah.
Verily, He is the Hearing, the Knowing" (41:34-36).
Virtues of the Isti`adhah:
The Isti`adhah cleanses the mouth from the foul speech that it has indulged in. It also purifies the mouth and prepares it to recite the speech of Allah. Further, the Isti`adhah entails seeking Allah's help and acknowledging His ability to do everything. The Isti`adhah also affirms the servant's meekness, weakness and inability to face the enemy of his inner evil, whom Allah alone, Who created this enemy, is able to repel and defeat. This enemy does not accept kindness, unlike the human enemy. There are three Ayat in the Qur'an that affirm this fact. Also, Allah said,
"Verily, My servants (i.e. the true believers of Islamic Monotheism)
ـ you have no authority over them. And sufficient is your
Lord as a Guardian." (17:65)
We should state here that the believers, whom the human enemies kill, become martyrs, while those who fall victim to the inner enemy - Satan - become bandits. Further, the believers who are defeated by the apparent enemy - disbelievers - gain a reward, while those defeated by the inner enemy earn a sin and become misguided. Since Satan sees man where man cannot see him, it is befitting that the believers seek refuge from Satan with Whom Satan cannot see. The Isti`adhah is a form of drawing closer to Allah and seeking refuge with Him from the evil of every evil creature.
Source: www.qtafsir.com
JazakaAllah Khair
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