How sound are the thoughts that come to the questioner about the virtue of saying "A'udhu Billah (I seek refuge in Allah)" at the time of the soul's departure, in the grave, and on the Day of Resurrection, and what advice is directed to him regarding the continuation of this dhikr (remembrance) and linking it to these thoughts, taking into account the happiness and comfort he finds in doing so?

Seeking refuge (Istia'adha) is the act of seeking protection from evil by resorting to Allah and holding fast to Him. This has been commanded in the Quran and Sunnah. Allah commands seeking refuge from Satan and his evils, as in His saying: ﴿AND IF AN EVIL WHISPER FROM SATAN SHOULD AFFLICT YOU, THEN SEEK REFUGE IN ALLAH﴾. Al-Tabari interpreted this as seeking refuge from the wrath of Satan, which deters one from turning away from the ignorant.

Seeking refuge has also been mentioned in connection with reciting the Quran, seeking deliverance from the whispers of devils, and in Surahs Al-Falaq and An-Nas to seek refuge from the evil of creatures, the envious, magic, and the whispering deceiver.

A believer should seek refuge with Allah from whispering (waswasah) and trials (fitan), from the trial of women, from the trials of life and death, and from the torment of the grave, the horrors of the Resurrection, and the torment of the Fire. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to seek refuge from these and guide others to do so, which implies glorifying Allah and relying upon Him.

Among the prophetic supplications for seeking refuge: - The supplication of Shakl ibn Humayd: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of my hearing, and from the evil of my sight, and from the evil of my tongue, and from the evil of my heart, and from the evil of my private parts (semen)." - The supplication of Anas ibn Malik: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from inability and laziness, and from cowardice and old age, and I seek refuge in You from the trial of life and death, and I seek refuge in You from the torment of the grave." - The supplication before sleeping: "O Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth and Lord of the Great Throne, our Lord and the Lord of everything, Splitter of the grain and the date-seed, and Revealer of the Torah, the Gospel, and the Criterion, I seek refuge in You from the evil of everything whose forelock You hold..." - A supplication: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the cessation of Your blessings, and the change of Your well-being, and the suddenness of Your vengeance, and all Your displeasure."

A person's holding fast to his Lord and relying upon Him benefits him, but excessive fear and whispering are not commendable. A believer is between fear and hope and love. There is no evidence that seeking refuge alone defends a servant on the Day of Judgment; rather, a believer's deeds and Allah's mercy will benefit him.

Invented supplications like "I seek refuge in Allah, I will be alone with Him..." should not be adhered to, as their meaning is not straightforward except through interpretation, and seeking refuge is part of remembrance and intimate conversation with Allah. A Muslim should not neglect other forms of remembrance such as praise, glorification, affirmation of Allah's Oneness, and seeking help, as they are greater than mere seeking refuge. Exaggeration in one aspect should not divert him from what is better. One should learn the Prophet's (peace be upon him) remembrances and his guidance in remembrance, praise, and seeking forgiveness, and adhere to his comprehensive guidance.