audhu

Audhu is a transliteration of the Arabic word أعوذ, meaning “I seek refuge.” It is the first-person singular present form of the verb عَاذَ (to seek shelter or protection) and is derived from the triliteral root ع-و-ذ. The spelling and diacritics vary in transliteration, with common renderings including a’udhu, audhu, or a’udhū, all conveying the same idea of seeking protection.

In Islamic practice, audhu is widely used as a short invocation to seek protection from evil influences, particularly from Satan. It often appears at the beginning of recitation of the Qur’an and in daily prayers or supplications. A common full phrase is “A’udhu billahi minash-shaitanir-rajim,” translated as “I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.” Reciters may pronounce it before verses or passages to request divine protection and concentration.

Etymologically, the word reflects a broader Arabic pattern of expressing petition or refuge, with the form reflecting the speaker’s direct request for safety. While most frequently encountered in religious contexts, the concept of seeking refuge appears in various Arabic expressions and Qur’anic verses, underscoring its cultural and spiritual significance in Muslim practice.

Variations in transliteration reflect differences in representing Arabic sounds in Latin script, but the underlying meaning remains consistent. The term is specifically tied to seeking protection from harm, temptation, or evil, and is commonly understood within the contexts of Qur’anic recitation and Islamic supplication. In everyday language, speakers may encounter the verb form in other phrases related to seeking refuge or safety, though the distinct devotional usage of audhu is its most familiar and enduring association.