As a Muslim, it is important to always seek protection from Allah Ta’aala over the unseen. Especially when entering the toilet. The prophet [S.A.W] made us understand that the toilets are haunted (inhabited by devils) and that we should always seek refuge before entering them.
In a sahih hadith, Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “These toilets are haunted (inhabited by devils), so when anyone of you goes to the toilet let him say, ‘A’udhu Billahi min al-khubthi wa’l-khabaith (I seek refuge with Allah from the male and female devils).” (Narrated by Abu Dawud, 6; classed as sahih by al-Albani in Sahih Abi Dawud)
Al-Hattab, a scholar of the Maliki school of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) gave us two reasons why toilets are singled out for seeking protection with Allah, and said:
- Because they are toilets, and by Allah’s will the devils dominate toilets.
- The toilet is a filthy place where one should not verbally remember Allah, so the shaytan takes advantage if one does not remember Him, because remembrance of Allah drives him away. So the command to seek refuge with Allah before that means that one will be protected from the shaytan until he comes out. End quote.
According to Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him) in his book titled al-Sharh al-Mumti’ (1/83) stated
The purpose of this seeking refuge is to seek protection with Allah against al-khubthi wa’l-khabaith (the male and female devils) because this is an evil and unclean place (khabith), and the place that is khabith is the abode of al-khubthi wa’l-khabaith (the male and female devils). So it is appropriate when wanting to enter the toilet to say: A’udhu Billahi min al-khubthi wa’l-khabaith (I seek refuge Allah from the male and female devils), so that no khubth (evil) or khabaith (evil spirits) will affect him. End quote.
Dua Before Entering the Toilet In Arabic
(بِسْمِ اللَّهِ). اللَّهُـمَّ إِنِّي أَعُـوذُ بِـكَ مِـنَ الْخُـبْثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ.
Supplication Before Entering the Toilet In Transliteration
[Bismillaahi] Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika minal-khubthi walkhabaa’ith.
Supplication Before Entering the Toilet In English
(In the name of Allah). O Allah, I take refuge with you from all evil and evil-doers.
Supplication When Leaving the Toilet
What you simply say when the toilet is, ”Ghufranaka.” which literally means Your forgiveness, and this is gotten from a hadith too where Al-Tirmidhi (7) narrated that ‘Aishah said: When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) exited the toilet, he used to say Ghufranaka (Your forgiveness).