Don’t Let Your Enemy In

Jabir (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “If a person mentions the name of Allah upon entering his house and eating, Shaitaan says, addressing his followers, ‘You will find no where to spend the night and no dinner (here).’ But if he enters without mentioning the name of Allah, Shaitaan says, ‘You have found (a place) to spend the night,’ and if he does not mention the name of Allah at the time of eating, Shaitaan says, ‘You have found (a place) to spend the night as well as food.’” [Sahih Muslim]

Ideally one should memorize the Sunnah duas which are said on entering one’s home and when beginning to eat. But if these are not memorized then one should at least say ‘Bismillah’ with the intention of entering into Allah’s protection.

Some days it seems are just bad days; people fighting in the house, no peace, restlessness, anxiety. It is because we allow Shaitaan to enter with us. Suppose that there is an evil, scheming, lecherous and powerful man who hates you, hated your forefathers, hates your Prophet and Allah, and has sworn revenge on your children. Would you feel safe if he were given free access to enter your house? He would do whatever he could to destroy you, your family and home.

Shaitaan is worse than such a man! Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has sworn to it and in His Infinite Mercy He has told you how to secure yourself from your worst enemy.

The least you should do to keep Shaitaan out is say ‘Bismillah’ on entering your home. In addition, don’t let music or T.V. play and don’t have pictures of animate beings up or keep dogs in the house. The first two invite the Shayateen while the second two prevent the angels of Rehma (bounty and mercy) from entering.