Points derived from the ḥadith:
1 – In this narration the Prophet ﷺ teaches an etiquette of marital intimacy: when a man intends to have relations with his wife he should say, “Bism Allah” (In the name of Allah). Pronouncing the name of Allah brings blessing and goodness to whatever it precedes, whereas omitting it leaves the act deficient and deprived of blessing.
2 – The second remembrance at the moment of intercourse is to say: “Allahumma jannibnā al-shayṭān, wa jannib al-shayṭān mā razaqtanā” (O Allah, keep Satan away from us and keep Satan away from whatever You grant us). This blessed supplication and seeking of refuge, when accepted by Allah, fulfils the promise that “should a child be decreed for them from that union, Satan will never harm him,” and the child remains safeguarded from the accursed Satan. The righteous woman, the wife of ʿImrān, declared: “And indeed, I seek refuge for her and her offspring in You from Satan, the accursed” (Āl ʿImrān 3:36). Allah the Exalted then says: “So her Lord accepted her with gracious acceptance, caused her to grow in a good manner, and placed her under the care of Zechariah” (Āl ʿImrān 3:37).
3 – There are many means of protection from Satan—some tangible, others intangible. This supplication is an intangible shield against Satan and his insinuations. When it is accompanied by the other means and no obstacles are present, the promised result—protection from Satan—materialises. If the means are missing, or if present but impeded, the result will not be attained.
4 – Most of a person’s everyday actions and habits have prescribed remembrances: entering and leaving the home, eating, drinking, finishing one’s food and drink, going to sleep, waking up, and many other activities. One should not neglect these adhkār (words of remembrance) so as to be among “the men and women who remember Allah much.”
5 – The best fortress with which a person can protect himself from his enemy Satan is the remembrance of Allah, foremost among which are the legislated litanies drawn from the Book of Allah and from what has been authentically transmitted from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.