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1098 I have heard they are more than one sort of Shaytaan (devil) and each one has a particular role? If we are aware of their roles then I believe we can avoid falling for their traps. Could you please elaborate on this topic and advice how to tackle this situation? Such as I have read the Shaytaan runs from the house in which Surah al-Baqarah is prayed.
You are right when you state that there are different types of devils. This is proven from the Quran, where Allah (S.W.T) uses the plural (Shayaatin) of Shaytaan.

For example, there is one devil called the Walahaan. When a Muslim performs Wudu (ablution), then this devil puts doubt into the mind of the believer to slow his worship down. He tricks the Muslim into believing that he has not done Wudu properly and that he has failed to wash some part of the body. Some devils discourage a Muslim from giving charitable donations, whispering that as a result, he will become poor. Then there is Iblis, who caused Hazrat Adam (A.S) to exit Paradise.

Out of compassion and mercy, Allah (S.W.T) has not asked to reflect too much into the different types of devils, their names and their roles. Instead, Allah (S.W.T) has asked us to do one thing, to seek protection with Him from their harm. This is why Ta’awwuz (A’uzu Billahe Minash Shaytaanir Rajim) plays such an important role in our religion. If we read this often, then it will protect us from the devil in all of its forms.

Like you have identified, there are other religious acts that we can perform to rid the devil from our lives, like reading Surah al-Baqarah in the homes. Another such example is the Azaan. We are informed in the saying’s of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) that the devil runs when he hears the Azaan being recited.

Imam Muslim (R.A) records the following Hadith, in which the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said:

‘When a person enters his house, mentions the name of Allah (S.W.T) and does the same when he eats his food, then the devil says to his companions: ‘Let us go, there is no room for you to pass the night in this house and there is no evening meal.’ But when a person enters without mentioning the name of Allah (S.W.T), the devil says to his companions: ‘You have found a place to spend the night’, and when he does not mention the name of Allah (S.W.T) at the time of eating too, the devil says: ‘You have found a place to spend the night and you have found an evening meal.’ (Sahih Muslim: Book of Drinks)

So the constant remembrance of Allah (S.W.T) when entering the home and eating, for instance, keeps the devils away.

(Answered by: Alims at Islamic Centre, Leicester, UK)

(Verified by: Hafiz Mohammed Akhtar)
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