Dua Before Marital Relations
3 Blessings of the Sunnah
Islam honours the bond between a husband and wife, treating their intimacy as a blessed part of marriage that is begun, like all good things, in the name of Allah. The dua before marital relations is a short supplication the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught spouses to say in private, seeking the protection of Allah from the devil for themselves and for any child Allah may grant them. It is a beautiful reminder that even the most private moments of married life are placed under the blessing of Allah.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ جَنِّبْنَا الشَّيْطَانَ وَجَنِّبِ الشَّيْطَانَ مَا رَزَقْتَنَا
Bismillāh, Allāhumma jannibnash-shaytāna wa jannibish-shaytāna mā razaqtanā.
“In the name of Allah. O Allah, keep the devil away from us, and keep the devil away from what You provide us.”
This guide explains the dua before marital relations, its meaning and wisdom, and three blessings of this sunnah, handled with the dignity and respect that Islam gives to marriage, so that spouses may bring the remembrance of Allah into every part of their life together.
The Meaning of the Dua Before Marital Relations
The dua before marital relations begins in the name of Allah and asks Him to keep the devil away from the spouses and from any child He may grant them. The Prophet (pbuh) taught that if a couple says this supplication and Allah decrees a child for them from that union, the devil will never be able to harm that child. It is a profound reminder that the blessing and protection of Allah are sought even in the most private moments of marriage, and that the gift of children begins with seeking His protection.
Islam treats the intimacy between spouses with dignity, neither shameful nor merely physical, but a blessed part of marriage that draws reward when approached with the right intention. By beginning with the name of Allah and seeking refuge from the devil, the couple turns even this private act into one touched by the remembrance and protection of Allah.
Three Blessings of the Sunnah
The Prophet (pbuh) attached a beautiful promise to this short supplication, and it brings the couple three blessings when remembered.
- Beginning in the name of Allah, bringing His remembrance into private married life.
- Protection of any future child from the harm of the devil, as the Prophet (pbuh) promised.
- Reward for the spouses, who turn a private act into one touched by the obedience of Allah.
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا
Wa min ayatihi an khalaqa lakum min anfusikum azwajan litaskunu ilayha
And of His signs is that He created mates for you to find peace in them
Remembering Allah in Every Part of Marriage
One of the beauties of Islam is that it brings the remembrance of Allah into every part of life, even the most private. The dua before marital relations teaches spouses to begin their intimacy in the name of Allah, seeking His protection and blessing. Far from being something to feel awkward about, this is a sign of how completely faith embraces married life, turning even private moments into occasions of remembrance, protection and reward from Allah.
This supplication reflects the dignity Islam gives to the bond between spouses, the same spirit found in the dua for love between spouses and the dua for spouse. Together they show how faith blesses every part of a marriage, reflecting the wholesome view of marriage in Islam.
Faith brings the remembrance of Allah into every part of married life, even the most private. Learn the family duas with us on YouTube, where the supplications are recited aloud, on Instagram for a reminder of the sunnahs of marriage, and on LinkedIn where readers share how they bring faith into their homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the supplication Bismillah, Allahumma jannibnash-shaytana wa jannibish-shaytana ma razaqtana, beginning in the name of Allah and asking Him to keep the devil away from the spouses and any child granted. The Prophet (pbuh) taught it for spouses in private.
The Prophet (pbuh) taught that if a couple says it and Allah decrees a child from that union, the devil will never be able to harm that child. It also brings the remembrance and blessing of Allah into private married life.
It is said quietly between spouses before intimacy, beginning the moment in the name of Allah and seeking His protection. It is a private sunnah of married life.
Islam brings the remembrance of Allah into every part of life, treating intimacy between spouses as a blessed part of marriage rather than something shameful. Beginning in the name of Allah turns it into an act touched by His blessing and protection.
Yes, Islam honours the bond between spouses and treats their intimacy as a blessed and rewardable part of marriage when approached rightly. The dua reflects the dignity and goodness that faith gives to married life.
The supplication is taught for the couple to begin with, and either may recite it quietly before intimacy. It brings the blessing and protection of Allah upon them both.