The Prayer Taught by the Devil

In the annals of Islamic history, there are events that challenge the limits of the mind and open a window into the depths of faith. Perhaps the most astonishing of these is the incident where the Devil himself was forced to teach one of the most powerful spiritual supplications to a companion of the Prophet. This is not merely a tale of theft; it is proof of the power of Divine knowledge, a power that even the greatest enemy could not deny.

This event, authenticated by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), has reached us through the companion Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) and brilliantly demonstrates the virtue of Ayat al-Kursi (The Verse of the Throne). Let us delve into the details of this cautionary tale and rediscover the great secret to which even the Devil had to submit.

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The Companion Guarding the Zakat Dates: Abu Hurayrah’s Duty

It all begins in Medina, during the early years of Islam. Abu Hurayrah (r.a.), one of the most prolific narrators of Hadith, is assigned by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to guard the dates collected for Zakat (obligatory charity), which belonged to the Bayt al-Mal (the state treasury). This was a task requiring immense responsibility and trust. Abu Hurayrah diligently stood watch over these dates night after night, protecting the trust placed in him.

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The Mysterious Theft Repeated for Three Nights

The crux of the incident is a mysterious attempted theft that occurs for three consecutive nights. The same person arrives each night, and each time, the events unfold differently.

The First Encounter and an Act of Mercy

Abu Hurayrah narrates: “On the first night, a man snuck in and began to scoop up dates. I seized him immediately and said, ‘I will surely take you to the Messenger of Allah!'”

However, the captured man began to plead pitifully: “I am a man in need. I have a family to support, and we are in extreme poverty.”

This seemingly sincere plea stirred Abu Hurayrah’s compassion, and he let the man go. In the morning, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) approached him and asked with a smile, “O Abu Hurayrah, what did you do with your prisoner last night?” When Abu Hurayrah explained the situation, the Prophet (pbuh) warned him: “He lied to you, and he will return.”

The Second Night and a Broken Promise

Alerted by the Prophet’s warning, Abu Hurayrah was more vigilant the second night. He saw the same man return and caught him again, this time more determined. But the man pleaded again with the same excuses of poverty and need, swearing he would not return. Abu Hurayrah’s mercy prevailed once more, and he released him.

The morning brought the same scene. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) asked again, and Abu Hurayrah recounted the events. The Prophet’s response was clear: “He lied to you again, but he will return.”

The Third Night and the Revelation of a Great Secret

Now certain of what to expect, Abu Hurayrah lay in wait on the third night. The thief appeared again and was caught red-handed as he scooped up the dates. This time, Abu Hurayrah spoke with finality: “This is the third time! You promised you would not return, yet here you are. There is no choice now but to take you to the Messenger of Allah!”

Realizing he was trapped, the thief made a completely different offer as a last resort: “Let me go, and I will teach you some words by which Allah will grant you great benefit.”

This offer piqued Abu Hurayrah’s curiosity, and he asked, “What are those words?”

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The Devil’s Confession: The Most Powerful Shield of Protection

In that moment, the great secret that has been passed down for centuries was revealed. The being in the guise of a thief said:

“When you go to your bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi. If you do, a guardian from Allah will be appointed over you, and no devil will be able to approach you until morning.”

Upon hearing this, Abu Hurayrah let the man go. The final conversation between him and the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) the next morning revealed the true nature of the event. The Prophet asked what he did with his prisoner. Abu Hurayrah explained that he let him go in exchange for very beneficial knowledge.

“What did he teach you?” the Prophet asked. Abu Hurayrah replied, “He told me to recite Ayat al-Kursi.”

Upon this, the Messenger of Allah uttered his historic words:

“He has told you the truth, although he is a chronic liar. O Abu Hurayrah, do you know who you have been speaking with for these past three nights? That was Shaytan (the Devil) himself.”

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Ayat al-Kursi: Its Meaning and Virtues

This incident confirms, through the words of the enemy himself, how powerful a spiritual weapon Ayat al-Kursi, the 255th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, truly is. This verse expresses the greatness and power of Allah, and that there is no deity but Him, in the most eloquent way.

Ayat al-Kursi in Arabic

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُhُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

Ayat al-Kursi Transliteration

Allāhu lā ilāha illā huwal ḥayyul qayyūm, lā ta’khudhuhū sinatun wa lā nawm, lahū mā fis-samāwāti wa mā fil-’arḍ, man dhalladhī yashfa‘u ‘indahū illā bi’idhnih, ya‘lamu mā bayna aydīhim wa mā khalfahum, wa lā yuḥīṭūna bi-shay’in min ‘ilmihī illā bimā shā’, wasi‘a kursiyyuhus-samāwāti wal-’arḍ, wa lā ya’ūduhū ḥifẓuhumā wa huwal ‘aliyyul ‘aẓīm.

Ayat al-Kursi Meaning

Allah! There is no god but He – the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).

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The Place of Ayat al-Kursi in the Science of Havas (Secret Knowledge)

This Hadith also explains why Ayat al-Kursi holds such a central role not only as a verse of the Qur’an but also in the fields of Havas and Secret Knowledge. Scholars of Havas have used its energetic and spiritual power in many areas, such as “protection (tahassun),” “repelling negative entities,” “breaking spells and sorcery,” and “elevating spiritual ranks.”

Great scholars like Imam al-Ghazali and Imam al-Buni stated in their works that reciting Ayat al-Kursi a specific number of times and at certain times envelops a person like armor against all visible and invisible dangers. The Devil’s confession is the greatest proof of how absolute and unshakable this protective power is. He was forced to describe the very fortress against which his own weapons are rendered useless.

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Final Word

This extraordinary dialogue between Abu Hurayrah and the Devil teaches us a simple yet profound lesson: in the word of Allah lies such power that even our greatest enemies are helpless before it. As we retire to our beds at night, leaving behind the day’s fatigue and the mind’s clutter, arming ourselves with this divine shield is one of the greatest kindnesses we can do for ourselves and our loved ones.

Let us not forget that this prayer, which even the Devil was forced to admit, is one of the brightest signs of the infinite mercy and protection our Lord offers us.

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Bibliography

• Muhammad b. Ismā‘īl al-Bukhārī, al-Jāmi‘ al-Ṣaḥīḥ, “Faḍā’il al-Qur’ān,” 10; “Wakālah,” 10.
• Aḥmad b. ‘Alī al-Būnī, Shams al-Ma‘ārif al-Kubrā.
• Ḥujjat al-Islām Imām al-Ghazālī, al-Awfāq.