Namaz for Fending Off Evil Self Inspirations

Text and Translation

Imam al-Sadiq (a) is reported to have said, "No forty mornings pass on a believer without evil self-inspirations jumping to his mind. When you are attacked by such evil inspirations, offer a two-unit prayer and pray to Almighty Allah to protect you from them."

Imam al-Sadiq (a) is also reported to have said: when Prophet Adam (a) complained to Almighty Allah about evil self-inspirations, Archangel Gabriel came down to him and asked him to say the following:

لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللهِ

LAA HAWLA WA LAA QUWWATA ILLAA BILLAAH

There is no power and no strength except with Allah.

Once Prophet Adam (a) did so, he was able to get rid of the evil self-inspirations.

Imam al-Baqir (a) has reported that when a man complained to the Holy Prophet (s) about obsession, evil self-inspiration, and unbearable debts, the Holy Prophet (s) taught him [the same litany of trust in the Ever-Living](E54), which begins after "there is no power and no strength except with Allah" with "I have placed my trust in the Ever-Living Who does not die..." and continues to its close.

After some time, the man returned to the Holy Prophet (s) to tell him that Almighty Allah had removed the obsession from him, helped him settle all his debts, and saved him from poverty.

The following holy verse is reported to be said for fending off Satan's evil inspiration when doubt arises in one's mind:

هُوَ الْاَوَّلُ وَالْاٰخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ وَ هُوَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيْمٌ

HUWAL AWWALU WAL AAKHIRU WAZ ZAAHIRU WAL BAATINU WA HUWA BI-KULLI SHAY-IN A'LEEM

He is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden, and He has knowledge of all things.