Isti'adha (Seeking Refuge Before Reciting Qur'an)
Any time we read the Qur'an, we must say "Audhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajeem" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan).
Allah says in verse 98 of Surah an-Nahl:
meaning,
“When you recite the Qur'an, seek refuge in Allah.”
Shaytan tries to approach us while reciting Qur'an and during prayer to distract us entirely, or to prevent us from reflecting on what we're reciting — so that we lose khushoo' (focus/humility) and sakinah (tranquility).
Shaytan is one of Allah's creations, but we cannot see him nor do we know much about him except what Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have told us.
We ask Allah to protect us from the whispers of Shaytan because Allah's qudra (power) is above all. Seeking His protection, help, and guidance brings us more sakinah and tuma'ninah (peace), and keeps us focused while reciting or praying.
