By: Moulana Muhammad bin Haroon
Source: Al-Miftah
At times we have the opportunity of purchasing a new home or business, we become eager to start it off on the right foot. We therefore turn to various forms of dhikr, recitation of Quran and du’a for barakah (blessings).
In the Hadith references at hand, I have not come across any specific deeds or du’as specifically for when moving into a new premises.
However, the following can be practiced upon based on the broader purport of the narrations cited below.
These may be done in any home/business/premises, be it new or old.
Deeds to remove demons and other bad effects
Recite Surah Baqarah
– Sayyiduna Abu Umamah (رضي الله عنه) reports that The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
‘...Recite Surah Al Baqarah, for [reciting it and practising on it] is a blessing and abandoning it will be a cause of grief and regret, and those involved in witchcraft cannot confront it.’
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1871)
– Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reports that The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
‘…indeed Shaytan flees from that home in which Surah Baqarah is recited.’
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1821)
People generally like to have their homes secure from the effects of black magic, evil Jinn etc.
Therefore, many have the habit of reciting Surah Baqarah in their new homes/businesses, as it keeps away the Jinn as well as black magic.
The last two verses of Surah Baqarah
Sayyiduna Nu’man ibn Bashir (رضي الله عنه) reports that The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said;
‘…If these two verses are recited for three nights in a home, no Shaytan shall come near it.’
Imam Tirmidhi (رحمه الله) has declared the Hadith sound (hasanun gharib). Some editions of Sunan Tirmidhi have the words ‘gharib‘ only.
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2882)
Imam Ibn Hibban, Imam Hakim and ‘Allamah Dhahabi (رحمه الله) have declared the Hadith authentic (sahih).
(Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 782 [the last portion of the Hadith], Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1 pg. 562 and vol. 2 pg. 260)
Practising on this will insha Allah protect the new/or current premises from the Shaytan/evil Jinn.
The ten verses of Surah Baqarah
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (رضي الله عنه) said:
‘If these ten verses are recited in a home, no Shaytan shall enter it till the morning.’
(Sunan Darimi, Hadith: 3382 and Al-Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 8673. ‘Allamah Suyuti has declared one chain of Darimi as authentic (sahih) refer: Da’il Falah, Hadith: 84)
See here for more about these ten verses.
Call out the Adhan
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reports that The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
‘When the muadhin calls the adhan, Shaytan flees hurriedly away.’
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 610 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 856)
The narrator of this Hadith; Abu Salih As-Samman (رحمه الله) states that when one hears [scary/eerie] sounds [and fears the presence of evil Jinns] one should call out the adhan, since it has the effect of chasing away the Shaytan.
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 856)
Based on this, people have the habit of calling out the adhan in a new home before moving in, so as to chase away the evil Jinn therefrom.
Deeds for Barakah (blessings) in the home
In addition to the above, to acquire barakah in the home, one may practice any of the following, for their general good effect (without considering them as actual sunnahs).
As stated at the beginning, these deeds are for any home/premises, be it new or old.
Say the Salam when entering
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) told Sayyiduna Anas (رضي الله عنه) – as part of a lengthy narration-:
O my son! Whenever you enter your house, say salam. This will be a source of Barakah- blessing- for you and your family.
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2698)
Imam Tirmidhi (رحمه الله) has graded this Hadith as sound (hasan)
Read the entire collated version of this Hadith here
Recite Quran
The Quran in general is a great source of blessing. Undoubtedly, one who seeks barakah (blessing) should indeed recite the Quran and keep it respectfully in the place wherein barakah is being sought.
Nafl Salah
Sayyiduna Zayd ibn Thabit (رضي الله عنه) reports that The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
‘Offer your [nafl/optional] Salah in your homes, for the best Salah -besides the Fard- is the one offered at home.’
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 731)
‘Allamah Nawawi (رحمه الله) has explains three reasons for this:
- It is a source of Barakah.
- It chases away the Shaytan/evil Jinn.
- It is closer to sincerity.
(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 731)
Therefore those who make this a habit, will -insha Allah- notice increase in the blessings of that home.
In fact, Hafiz Ibn Hajar has explained that it is recommended to make salah the first thing done in any new property, as a means of being grateful to Allah’s bounty and to acquire Barakah.
(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 917)
Keep Dates and Vinegar in the home
Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah (رضي الله عنها) reports that The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
‘A house which has dates will never suffer hunger.’
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 5304)
In one Hadith The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
‘A house that has vinegar will never be destitute.’
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1841. Musnad Ahmad, vol. 3 pg. 353)
Invite friends and family for a meal
It is recorded that the senior Tabi’i; Sayyiduna ‘Urwah ibn Zubayr (رحمه الله) had invited the people of Madinah to his new home that he built in ‘wadil ‘aqiq’. The narration states that those who attended made du’as for barakah as well.
(Siyar A’lamin Nubala, vol.4 pg.428)
Many Muslims have this habit too. This is so that the property can be blessed with their presence, du’as and the barakah of feeding people -which is extremely rewarding.
The Kitab Shifa
An elderly and very Respectable ‘Alim; Shaykh Muhammad Nimr Al-Khatib (رحمه الله) [who was at the age of 110 when I met him] mentioned that it was a common habit when he was growing up for people to keep the kitab of Imam Qadi ‘yadh (رحمه الله): Shifa in their homes, businesses etc for attaining barakah.
This kitab is one of the most comprehensive books that discuss the life and lifestyle of The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). It has enjoyed universal acceptance throughout the centuries.
The Shaykh (رحمه الله) hailed from Palestine. He later resided in Madinah Munawwarah for many years till his demise. May Allah Ta’ala fill his grave with mercy and blessings. He had real love for students of Islamic knowledge. A love that I have rarely seen.
These ten deeds are some of which one may practice for protection as well as blessings in the home.
In addition to the above, every sunnah of our Beloved (ﷺ) has immense barakah and protection in it. We should always endeavour to inculcate as much of the sunnah as possible in our live.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
