and we heard him say, ‘I seek refuge in Allah from you.’ Then he said three times, ‘I curse you with Allah’s curse,’ and stretched out his hand as though reaching for something. When he had finished the prayer, we said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, we heard you say something during the prayer that we had never heard you say before, and we saw you stretch out your hand.’ He replied, ‘Allah’s enemy Iblīs came with a flame of fire to thrust into my face. I said three times, “I seek refuge in Allah from you.” Then I said, “I curse you with the perfect curse of Allah,” but he did not withdraw—three times. I then intended to seize him. By Allah, were it not for the supplication of our brother Solomon, he would have been bound by morning, and the children of Medina would have played with him.’” 1.

Muslim also narrated from Uthmān ibn Abī al-Ās al-Thaqafī—may Allah be pleased with him—“that he came to the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, Satan has come between me and my prayer and recitation, throwing them into confusion for me.’ The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said, ‘That is a devil called Khinzab. When you perceive him, seek refuge in Allah from him and spit lightly to your left three times.’ He said, ‘I did so, and Allah drove him away from me.’” 2.

The words “throwing them into confusion for me” mean that he muddles them for me and causes me to doubt them.

In the two Sahīh collections, Abū Hurayrah—may Allah be pleased with him—reported that the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said, “Satan comes to one of you and asks, ‘Who created this? Who created that?’ until he asks, ‘Who created your Lord?’ When matters reach that point, let him seek refuge in Allah and desist.” 3.

These texts clearly demonstrate the immense importance of seeking refuge in Allah: it drives Satan away, protects the servant from him, and keeps him safe from his schemes, whispers, and evil.

Another thing that drives Satan away is the call to prayer. When Satan hears it, he turns and flees, as related in