Question
Is it true that we should recite the following when removing our clothes:
bismillahi ladhi la ilaha ilahu
بِسْمِ اللهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ
Answer
Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“When a Muslim recites the following before removing his clothing, it will serve as a veil between him [his naked body] and the Jinn.”
بِسْمِ اللهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ
Bismillahil ladhi la ilaha illa hu
(‘Amalul Yawmi wal Laylah of Ibnus Sunni, Hadith: 273 & Tabarani, see Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 1, pg. 205)
Some narrations only have the word: Bismillah.
(See Nataijul Afkar, vol. 1, pg. 151-155)
One may recite either of the two.
These narrations are suitable for practice and are well corroborated.
‘Allamah Nawawi (rahimahullah) has quoted this Hadith under the chapter: What should be recited when the clothes are removed for bathing, sleeping and related issues.
(Al-Adhkar, Hadith: 55)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar