the two Sahīh collections, on the authority of Abū Hurayrah—may Allah be pleased with him—who reported that the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said: “When the call to prayer is made, Satan turns and flees, passing wind so that he cannot hear the call. Once the call is over, he returns. Then, when the commencement of prayer is announced, he turns and flees; and once that announcement is over, he returns.” 1.

In Sahīh Muslim, Suhayl ibn Abī Sālih said: “My father sent me to the Banū Hāritha, accompanied by a young servant of ours—or a companion of ours. Someone called him by name from a walled garden. The person accompanying me looked over the wall but saw nothing. I mentioned this to my father, and he said, ‘Had I known that you would encounter this, I would not have sent you. However, whenever you hear a voice, make the call to prayer, for I heard Abū Hurayrah—may Allah be pleased with him—report that the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said: “When the call to prayer is made, Satan flees with a husās.”’” 2.

The word husās means passing wind, though it has also been said to mean running at great speed.

Another means of protecting the servant from Satan and driving him away is to remain constant in the remembrance of Allah in every circumstance—when entering, leaving, riding, going to sleep, and at other times.

Allah Most High says: “Indeed, when those who fear Allah are assailed by a prompting from Satan, they remember Him, and at once they see clearly.” 3. He also says: “Whoever turns away from the remembrance of the Most Merciful, We appoint for him a devil who becomes his constant companion.” 4.

In Sunan al-Tirmidhī and the Musnad, through an authentic chain of transmission, al-Hārith al-Asharī reported that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said: “Allah—Glorified is He—commanded John son of Zechariah with five commandments which he was to