Surah Al-Mu'minun — Verse 98

Word Meanings:

• A'udhu (أَعُوذُ): I seek refuge and protection.
• Yahdurun (يَحْضُرُونِ): They attend, are present with me, or surround me.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this blessed verse, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is taught by Allah to continue his supplication, saying: "And I seek refuge with You, my Lord, from their presence with me." This means: I seek Your protection, O Lord, from the devils attending me in any of my affairs — whether in my worship, my daily life, my speech, or my actions. It also includes seeking refuge from their presence at the time of death, when the devil tries to approach a person to whisper doubts and misguidance into their heart at that critical moment.

This verse follows the previous one where the Prophet was commanded to say: "My Lord, I seek refuge with You from the whisperings of the devils" (23:97). Here, he adds: "And I seek refuge with You, my Lord, from their presence with me." So the first is seeking protection from their evil whispers, and the second is seeking protection from their very presence and companionship. The devil's presence alone is a source of harm, for when he is present, he does not leave a person alone — he constantly tries to distract, mislead, and corrupt.

The scholars explain that this supplication teaches us a profound lesson: we must rely on Allah alone for protection from the enemy of mankind, the accursed Satan. We cannot repel him with our own strength or intelligence, for he sees us from where we do not see him. Only Allah, the Creator of the devil and of all things, has the power to shield us from his evil.

A Call to Reflection and Action:

Dear believer, this verse is a beautiful gift from Allah to His servants. It teaches us that no matter how strong we are, we are always in need of Allah's protection. The devil is relentless in his pursuit of the children of Adam — he swore by Allah's might that he would mislead them all, except the sincere servants of Allah. Therefore, we must constantly repeat this supplication, especially in our prayers, in the morning and evening, and whenever we fear the influence of evil whispers in our hearts.

Imagine a traveler walking through a dark valley filled with wild beasts and hidden dangers. Would he not cling tightly to a powerful guardian who can protect him from every harm? Indeed, our journey through this life is exactly that — a passage through a dangerous valley where the devil lies in wait. Our Guardian is Allah, the Most Merciful, the All-Powerful. By uttering this supplication with sincerity and certainty, we attach ourselves to His protection, and no force in the universe can overcome the one whom Allah protects.

Let this verse also remind us of the immense love and care Allah has for His believing servants. He Himself taught us the words of protection and commanded us to say them. He did not leave us defenseless against our enemy; rather, He gave us the weapon of supplication, which is mightier than any army. So hold fast to this supplication, and let it be a shield in your daily life, a comfort in your heart, and a light on your path to Allah's pleasure.