Is it true that a person sees Satan and angels at the throes of death, citing the Almighty’s saying: "We have removed your cover, so your sight today is sharp," and do the mentioned supplications ward off devils?
Regarding the meaning of "(ijtalathum)" in the noble prophetic tradition: "And indeed, the devils came to them and (ijtalathum) from their religion," Al-Nawawi says: meaning they charmed them, removed them from what they were upon, and led them to falsehood.
As for the presence of angels with humans, angels succeed each other among them, some by night and some by day. They gather during the Fajr and Asr prayers, and Allah questions them about His servants, while He is more knowledgeable of them.
As for the Almighty's saying: "{Then your sight today is sharp}," it does not necessarily imply seeing angels or devils.
There is no explicit and authentic evidence for every deceased person seeing angels or devils, but there is no impediment to this occurring for some people. Ibn Al-Qayyim, Al-Qurtubi, and Al-Ghazali mentioned examples of some righteous individuals who saw angels or devils at the time of death.
As for the correct formulas of seeking refuge mentioned in the question, they are: 1. "I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from every devil, every poisonous creature, and every evil eye." 2. "My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the whisperings of the devils, and I seek refuge in You, my Lord, from their presence." 3. "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from collapse, and I seek refuge in You from falling, and I seek refuge in You from drowning, burning, and senility, and I seek refuge in You from the devil striking me down at the time of death, and I seek refuge in You from dying while retreating in Your path, and I seek refuge in You from dying from a poisonous sting." 4. "I seek refuge in Allah, the Most Great, and by His Noble Face and His eternal sovereignty, from the accursed devil." 5. "I seek refuge in Allah, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, from the accursed devil." 6. "I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He created" (when descending to a dwelling and in the evening, three times).
As for the formulas: "In the name of Allah, the Possessor of great standing, mighty proof, and intense dominion," and "What Allah wills, I seek refuge in Allah from the devil," and "I seek refuge in Allah from Iblis and his helpers," they have not been found.
In general, all these formulas are good words, and there is no harm in seeking refuge with them, but what is authentically transmitted is preferable, and they should not be restricted by number unless there is evidence.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/105436