In verses 26 and 27 of Surah Ghafir and relating the story of Moses (AS), the Quran refers to his confrontation with pharaoh: “Pharaoh said: ‘Let me kill Moses, then let him call to his Lord! I am fearful that he will change your religion or cause mischief in the land.’ Moses said: ‘I take refuge in my Lord and in your Lord from every proud (person), who does not believe in Day of Reckoning.’”
Istiada (seeking refuge) is based on instinct and Fitra (nature) of mankind. When facing dangers, man tries to take refuge in a superior power to reach peace and assurance. In religious culture, especially in Islam, God is described as the only refuge for people.
In the first Makki Surahs like Al-Nas and Al-Falaq, the Holy Quran elaborates on true Istiada and refers to taking refuge in God as the only way for staying away from evils. Taking refuge has been mentioned in the Quran 17 times.
Man in general takes refuge in God from evils, sometimes evils are from oppressors and bad people and sometimes they are Satan’s temptations that lead one astray from the path of God. They are sometimes overt and sometimes covert in one’s thoughts and heart. Reading different verses of the Quran, we realize that we should take refuge from Satan enemies and their plots, sins, and anything that moves us away from the path of serving God.
It has also been recommended that we begin reading the Quran by seeking refuge in God: “When you recite the Quran, seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast.” (Surah An-Nahl, verse 98)