Jumu’ah Khutbah: Perspectives on Du’a in Islam
04th Safar 1446AH
Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh!
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
الْحَمْدُ لِلهِ، ثُمَّ الْحَمْدُ للَّه، الْحَمْدُ لِلهِ أعَزَّ أَوْلِيَاءَهُ بِنَصْرِهِ، وَأكْرَمَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِتَحْقِيقِ وَعْدِهِ، أَحَمْدُهُ سُبْحَانَهُ، جَعَلَ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ أَجَلًا، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا ٌإلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرَيِكَ لَهُ، أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عِلْمًا، وَنَصَرَ الْفِئَةَ الْقَلِيلَةَ الْمُؤْمِنَةَ عَلَى الْفِئَةِ الْكَثِيرَةِ الْبَاغِيَةِ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ سَيِّدَنَا نَبِيَّنَا وَحَبيبَنَا وَقَائِدَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسّلَامُ عَلَيكَ يا سَيِّدِي يا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَعَلَى آلِكَ وَأَصْحَابِكَ أَجْمَعِينَ.
Praise be to Allah, then praise be to Allah. Praise be to Allah Who supports His dearest saints with His Help. And He honored the believers by fulfilling His promise (of granting them victory against their enemies). I praise and glorify Him, Who has set a term for everything. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, without any partner. He surrounded everything with knowledge, and supported the small group of believers over the large group of transgressors. I bear witness that our master, our Prophet, our beloved, and our leader, Muhammad, is the Messenger of Allah, May blessings and peace be upon you, my lord, O Messenger of Allah, and upon all your family and companions.
O servants of Allah! Making du’a (supplication) is a directive of Allah for He directed thus: وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ٱدْعُونِىٓ أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِى سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ “Your Rabb says, “Supplicate (make du’a) to Me, I shall respond (in a manner that is most beneficial for you). Verily, those who are too proud to worship Me shall soon enter Jahannam in (great) humiliation.” So, the servant should entreat his Lord for his needs and Allah has promised to answer. Directing your need to other than Allah or failure to entreat Allah is considered arrogance towards Allah.
When you ask of Allah, Allah directs thus: ٱدْعُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُعْتَدِينَ “Call (pray only to) your Rabb in humility (with sincerity) and in secrecy (without show). Verily, He does not like those who overstep the limits (who do things that are against the Shariah) (Q7:55).
Here, the servant is directed to request of Allah with humility and a soft voice because a soft voice is a sign of sincerity. And as for ‘not overstepping the limits’, it refers to those who go beyond the limits in what they are commanded to do, whether in prayer or otherwise. With these words, Allah reminds the supplicant that he should not ask for anything that is not appropriate for him, such as asking to be made a prophet, or asking to be able to ascend to the heavens and others like that. There is also a view that what is meant by “exceeding the limits” in this verse is shouting or making loud noises in prayer and prolonging it.
O servants of Allah! Know that Du’a is required in all the facets of human activities. These include When doing basic human existential needs – Eating, drinking, sleeping, waking up, wearing clothes and shoes, etc.; When starting a meeting or a project; When embarking on a journey; When about to take a spouse; When in need of protection against harm; When seeking for healing; When in need of specific things, etc.
Du’a (supplication) is a special worship; the slaves feel the poverty and the need for Allah. Making du’a is so integral to every facet of the Muslim’s life as reflected in the life of Rasulullah. It was narrated from an-Nu‘maan ibn Basheer (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: عَنِ النُّعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَقُولُ ” الدُّعَاءُ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ ” “Du`a is worship” (Narrated by Ahmad in al-Musnad (18352) and al-Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad (714)).
Scholars have classified Du`a is into two types:
1. Du`a of asking, in which the individual asks Allah, SWT, for that which he needs. Allah identified two class of people here. The first is one: فَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَـٰقٍ “From among them, there are those (the Kaafiroon) who say, “O our Rabb, grant us (our needs) in this world.” (They are then granted their needs in this world whereas) They shall have no share (of good) in the Aakhirah” (Q2:200) while the second group وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ “From among them, there are also those (the Mu’mineen) who say, “O our Rabb, grant us (all that which is) good in this world, (all that which is) good in the Aakhirah and save us from the punishment of the fire (of Jahannam)” (Q2:201).
2. Du`a of worship, in which the individual is worshipping Allah, SWT, by doing any kind of worship, in the heart, in his physical actions or in his financial actions. In Salat (a pillar of Islam and the epitome of worship), du’a is embedded in the recitation of al-Fatiha. As for all other ibadaat, du’a for acceptance come in handy upon completion. Allah says: فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَٱنصَبْ “So, when you have completed (any task), then exert yourself (in other forms of Ibaadah) وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَٱرْغَب and turn (your heart) to your Rabb (asking for your needs only from Him) (Q94:6-7).
O servants of Allah! Having known that “Du’a (invocation) is worship”, then: فَادْعُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ “So, call you (O Muhammad and the believers) upon (or invoke) Allah, making (your) worship pure for Him (Alone)… (Q40:14). Be sincere and direct all your supplications towards Allah and avoid transgression.
وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّن يَدْعُو مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ مَن لَّا يَسْتَجِيبُ لَهُ إِلَى يَومِ الْقِيَامَةِ وَهُمْ عَن دُعَائِهِمْ غَافِلُونَ وَإِذَا حُشِرَ النَّاسُ كَانُوا لَهُمْ أَعْدَاء وَكَانُوا بِعِبَادَتِهِمْ كَافِرِينَ “ And who is more astray than one who calls (invokes) besides Allah, such as will not answer him till the Day of Resurrection, and who are (even) unaware of their calls (invocations) to them? And when mankind are gathered (on the Day of Resurrection), they (false deities) will become enemies for them and will deny their worshipping (Q46:6).
One of the ways to have accepted Du’a is to remember and invoke Allah at the good times when you are doing well without any challenge so that in your difficult times, your calling upon Him will not be strange to Him. So, anybody who supplicates should be positive about it (i.e. hopeful of Allah answering his request) and have the presence of mind while supplicating. Rasulullah (SAW) said: “Call Allah while you realize and believe that he will answer.”
O servants of Allah! Guidance have come from Rasulullah on what makes du’a to be accepted. Among the ahadith, Rasulullah (SAW) was reported to have said:
1. عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ ﷺ ـ “ ثَلاَثَةٌ لاَ تُرَدُّ دَعْوَتُهُمُ الإِمَامُ الْعَادِلُ وَالصَّائِمُ حَتَّى يُفْطِرَ وَدَعْوَةُ الْمَظْلُومِ يَرْفَعُهَا اللَّهُ دُونَ الْغَمَامِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَتُفْتَحُ لَهَا أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَيَقُولُ بِعِزَّتِي لأَنْصُرَنَّكِ وَلَوْ بَعْدَ حِينٍ Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There are three whose supplications are not turned back: A just ruler, and a fasting person until he breaks his fast. And, the supplication of one who has been wronged is raised by Allah up to the clouds on the Day of Resurrection, and the gates of heaven are opened for it, and Allah says, ‘By My Might I will help you (against the wrongdoer) even if it is after a while” (Sunan Ibn Majah 1752).
2. Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “There are three kinds of prayers that are mustajab, without a doubt, namely: (1) the prayer of parents for their children, (2) the prayer of the traveler, (3) the prayer of the persecuted”.
O servants of Allah! Know that the acceptance of du’a takes one of three forms:
1. That one gets exactly what one asked for.
2. That in lieu of what one wanted to have, one was given a certain return or reward of the Hereafter.
3. That one did not, though, get what one wanted, but some hardship or calamity that was due to befall him was removed.
Allah explains these three possibilities in the Qur’an thus:
مَّن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلْعَاجِلَةَ عَجَّلْنَا لَهُۥ فِيهَا مَا نَشَآءُ لِمَن نُّرِيدُ ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَا لَهُۥ جَهَنَّمَ يَصْلَىٰهَا مَذْمُومًا مَّدْحُورًا “Whoever desires the pleasures of this world, We shall speedily grant (him /her) whatever We will (not necessarily what s/he wills) for whoever We will (and not for everyone who wills it) in this very world, and then We will appoint Jahannam for him. He will enter it admonished (condemned) and rejected. (Q17:18).
وَمَنْ أَرَادَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ وَسَعَىٰ لَهَا سَعْيَهَا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ كَانَ سَعْيُهُم مَّشْكُورًا Whoever desires the Aakhirah and exerts himself for it as he ought to and is a Mu’min, then such are the people whose deeds will be appreciated (by Allah and He will reward them abundantly) (Q17:19).
كُلًّا نُّمِدُّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَهَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ مِنْ عَطَآءِ رَبِّكَ وَمَا كَانَ عَطَآءُ رَبِّكَ مَحْظُورًا We grant to all (to both groups), to these (those who desire the Aakhirah) and to those (who desire the world) from the grace (bounty) of your Rabb (in this world). The grace (bounty) of your Rabb is not restricted (Allah gives to everyone without His treasures being depleted). (Q17:20).
وَلَوْ بَسَطَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِعِبَادِهِۦ لَبَغَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَـٰكِن يُنَزِّلُ بِقَدَرٍ مَّا يَشَآءُ إِنَّهُۥ بِعِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرٌۢ بَصِيرٌ If Allah expands (gives in abundance) provisions for His bondsmen, (the general reaction would be that) they would rebel (sin and oppress) on earth (because they would have the means to do as they please). Instead, He sends (provisions) according to a stipulated measure as He pleases (to keep man in check). He is certainly Informed (fully aware) and Ever Watchful (Observant) over His bondsmen. (Q42:27).
From the above verses, we recognize that we are going to make du’a for variety of things and needs but Allah will grant what He wants to grant to each one because He has the perfect knowledge of what the servant truly needs and the quantity he needs to maintain balance of events in the universe. But do not relent in supplicating as He has promised to answer all your prayers. Whatever He withholds from you in this world will be given to you in the Aakhirah.
O servants of Allah! Know that the result of supplication sometimes does not come true immediately, which may be due to the weakness of the supplication itself, because it contains enmity or hatred or something that negates the Shari’ah. It may also be due to the weakness of the heart and the fact that the heart is not focused on and united with Allah at the time of supplication. And it may also be due to the existence of obstacles to the fulfillment of the prayer, such as forbidden food, mistreatment, sins that pollute the heart, or because of the control of the heart by negligence, forgetfulness and lust, as the Prophet said: عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ “ ادْعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَنْتُمْ مُوقِنُونَ بِالإِجَابَةِ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَسْتَجِيبُ دُعَاءً مِنْ قَلْبٍ غَافِلٍ لاَهٍ ” “Call upon Allah while being certain of being answered and know that Allah does not respond to a supplication from the heart of one heedless and occupied by play” (Jami at-Tirmidhi 3479)
To quicken the accepted of our supplications, ensure that you start it with thanking Allah and praising him, and afterwards send blessings (salawat) upon Rasulullah (SAW) and then make your du’a and close with the praise of Allah and salawat ala Rasul again.
Beyond acceptance, every servant should cultivate the attitude of patience and gratitude. If your request does not get answered immediately or in the manner requested, have patience knowing that Allah is not unaware of your request. And when your request is answered, turn to Allah in gratitude. Apart from verbal appreciation through tahmid (Alhamdulillah) and takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and Tasbeeh (Subhanallah), ensure that you do not use the grace of Allah upon you to commit sin.
O servants of Allah! Moderate your requests before Allah and be grateful for what you have. حَدَّثَنَا سُوَيْدُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، عَنِ الْمُثَنَّى بْنِ الصَّبَّاحِ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ “ خَصْلَتَانِ مَنْ كَانَتَا فِيهِ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ شَاكِرًا صَابِرًا وَمَنْ لَمْ تَكُونَا فِيهِ لَمْ يَكْتُبْهُ اللَّهُ شَاكِرًا وَلاَ صَابِرًا مَنْ نَظَرَ فِي دِينِهِ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ فَوْقَهُ فَاقْتَدَى بِهِ وَنَظَرَ فِي دُنْيَاهُ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ دُونَهُ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا فَضَّلَهُ بِهِ عَلَيْهِ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ شَاكِرًا صَابِرًا وَمَنْ نَظَرَ فِي دِينِهِ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ دُونَهُ وَنَظَرَ فِي دُنْيَاهُ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ فَوْقَهُ فَأَسِفَ عَلَى مَا فَاتَهُ مِنْهُ لَمْ يَكْتُبْهُ اللَّهُ شَاكِرًا وَلاَ صَابِرًا ”
‘Amr bin Shu’aib narrated from his grandfather ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr, that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “There are two traits, whoever has them in him, Allah writes him down as grateful and patient. And whoever does not have them, Allah does not write him down as grateful, nor patient. Whoever looks to one above him for his religion, and follows him in it, and whoever looks to one who is below him in worldly matters, and praises Allah for the blessings He has favoured the one who is above him with, then Allah writes him down as grateful and patient. And whoever looks to one who is below him for his religion, and looks to one who is above him for worldly matters, and grieves over what missed him of it, Allah does not write him down as grateful nor as patient”. (Jami at-Tirmidhi 2512)
Therefore, my distinguished brethren in Allah’s Deen! Be careful with and in your supplications to avoid shir’k. Allah says: وَمَن يَدْعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ لَا بُرْهَـٰنَ لَهُۥ بِهِۦ فَإِنَّمَا حِسَابُهُۥ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦٓ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ “He who calls on (worships) another god with Allah has no proof for it (nothing can justify such a practice). His reckoning is with Allah. The fact of the matter is that (after Allaah’s judgement) the Kaafiroon will not succeed (they will suffer eternally in Jahannam). (Q23:117)
PART 2
الْحَمْدُ لِلهِ رَبِّ الْعَالِمِينَ، الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ، لَهُ الْحَمْدُ فِي الْأُولَى وَالْآخِرَةِ، فَصَلَوَاتُ رَبِّي وَسَلَامُهُ َعَلَى مـحـمـد وَعَلَى آلِهِ الطَّيِّبِينَ الطَّاهِرِينَ وَعَلَى أَصْحَابِهِ وَالتَّابِعِينَ وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ.
O servants of Allah! The discussion on Du’a is critical for every Muslim to understand. Some people who left the fold of Islam stem from their wrong understanding of this great avenue to speak straight to Allah. Sayyidina Rasulullah (SAW) said: الدعاء سلاح المؤمن “Du’a is the weapon of the Believer”
Allah inform humankind that their greatest enemy is Shaytaan and the only way to key it at bay is by making Du’a as it repels all entreaties from Shaytan and all calamities. It is unfortunate that many Muslims, apart from observing the regular Salah, do not know how to supplicate at appropriate times. When they have problems, which they ignorantly think Islam has no solution, they resort to other places where their fate in Allah will be taken off them and they apostate. So, it is incumbent on all Muslims to learn the various supplications which abounds in Islam to help them meet the challenges of life and counter the evil plans of Shaytan.
A man from Banu Hanzalah reported that: “I accompanied Shaddad bin Aws [RA] on a journey, so he said: ‘Should I not teach you what the Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to teach us? That you say:
أَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الثَّبَاتَ فِي الأَمْرِ وَأَسْأَلُكَ عَزِيمَةَ الرُّشْدِ وَأَسْأَلُكَ شُكْرَ نِعْمَتِكَ وَحُسْنَ عِبَادَتِكَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ لِسَانًا صَادِقًا وَقَلْبًا سَلِيمًا وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا تَعْلَمُ وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا تَعْلَمُ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ مِمَّا تَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ
ALLAHUMMA INNI AS’ALUKATH- THABATI FIL’AMR
O Allah, I ask You for steadfastness in the affair
WA AS’ALUKA AZEEMAT-AR-RUSH’D
and I ask You for determination upon guidance,
WA AS’ALUKA SHUKRI NI’MATIKA WA HUSNI IBAADATIKA
and I ask You to make me grateful for Your favor, and excellence in worshiping You,
WA AS’ALUKA LISAANAN SAADIQAN WA QALBAN SALEEMAN
and I ask You for a truthful tongue and a sound heart,
WA A’UDHU BIKA MIN SHARRI MA TA’LAMU
and I seek refuge in You from the evil of what You know,
WA AS’ALUKA MIN KHAIRI MA TA’LAMU
and I ask You for the good of what You know,
WA ASTAGH’FIRUKA MIM MA TA’LAMU
and I seek Your forgiveness for that which You know.
INNAKA ANTA ALLAMUL GHUYUUB
Verily, You are the Knower of all that is hidden
[Reported in Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3407 – Hasan]
The prophet (SAW) gave to us not only the treasures of good deeds, excellent conduct, character, wonderful ethics, and morals. He also gave us a very important treasure of du’a. He (SAW) taught us how to make du’a and what types of things we should ask for in order to get the best of this world and the hereafter.
A man went to Rasulullah (SAW) and said, “Messenger of Allah, what is the best supplication?” He (SAW) answered, “Asking Allah for forgiveness and well-being in this world and the Next world.” Then he came to him the following day and asked, “Prophet of Allah, what is the best supplication?” He (SAW) answered, “Asking Allah for forgiveness and well-being in this world and the Next world. When you are given well-being in this world and the Next, then you have achieved success.” [Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 637 – Sahih]
O servants of Allah! The elite servants of Allah do not bother themselves much with asking Allah to give this or give me that. They concentrate on dhikrillah (rememberance of Allah) and the salawat on Rasulullah. In this practice, they are endeared to Allah and achieve better result than those asking of Allah. In a Qudsi Hadith, Allah says, من شغله ذكري عن مسألتي أعطيته أفضلَ ما أعطي السائلين “Whoever is too busy with remembering Me from asking Me, then I shall give him more than what I give to those who ask.”
In another version, Allah says: “من شغله القرآن عن ذكري ومسألتي أعطيته أفضل ما أعطي السائلين” “Whoever is too busy with the Qur’an from remembering Me and asking Me, then I shall give him more than what I give to those who ask.” Connection with the Qur’an is generally regarded the best of Dhikr except for the times that are explicitly recommended in the Sunnah to make certain kinds of Dhikr in.
Imam al-Shatibi said in his poem on Qira’at:
ومَن شغل القرآنُ عنه لسانَه He whose tongue is constantly busy with Quran
يَنَلْ أجرَ خير الذاكرين مُكمّلا He will get the best of the Dhikr’s reward in full.
O servants of Allah! Considering the trying period that we find ourselves, there is no other way left for us but the way of du’a. The Prophet (SAW), we have earlier reported, says ‘du’a is the weapon of the believer’. This weapon comes by way of the following recommendations:
1. Ayatul Kursiyu – This is considered important for its spiritual and protective benefits. Muslims recite it seeking Allah’s protection, blessings, and a deeper connection with the Divine. It should be recited as part of daily prayers, and before sleeping for protection. It can be recited individually or as a group practice.
2. Hasbunallahu Wa ni’mal wakeel – “Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs,” (in translation) holds a pivotal role in Islamic faith, embodying the essence of trust and reliance on Allah. A strong Du’a that can overcome fear, anxiety, or distress. This was the du’a of Sayyidina Ibrahim (AS) when he was thrown into the fire and Allah saved him. Recite it 450 times morning and evening and Allah will protect you.
3. La hawla walaa quwwata illa billahil aliyyil azeem – La hawla wala quwwata illa billah (There is no might nor power except with Allah) or you can recite la hawla wala quwwata illa billahil aliyyil azeem (There is no might nor power except with Allah, the Most Exalted, the Most Great). It was narrated that Abu Musa (RA) said: “The Prophet (SAW) heard me saying: ‘La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (there is no might and no power except with Allah).’ He said: ‘O ‘Abdullah bin Qais! Shall I not tell you of a word which is one of the treasures of Paradise?’ I said: ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said: ‘Say: La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (There is no power and no strength except with Allah).’” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3824). Recite it regularly and when the muadhdhin says ‘Hayya ala salah’ and ‘Hayya alal falah’.
4. La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu mina-dh-dhalimeen – لَّآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنتَ سُبْحَٰنَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ “There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers” (Q21:87) was the du’a of Sayyidina Yunus where he was in the belly of the whale and Allah rescued him. Recite it as much as you can.
5. Istighfaar – The Prophet (SAW) said, “The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is: للَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّيْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِيْ وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ. أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ. أَبُوْءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ. وَأَبُوْءُ بِذَنْبِيْ. فَاغْفِرْ لِيْ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, Khalaqtani wa ana `Abduka, wa ana `ala `ahdika wa wa`dika mastata`tu, A`udhu bika min Sharri ma sana`tu, abu’u Laka bini`matika `alaiya, wa abu’u laka bidhanbi faghfir lee fa innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta.”
The Prophet (SAW) added, “If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.” (Bukhari).
6. Istigfaar – أسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيمَ الَّذِي لاَ إلَهَ إلاَّ هُوَ، الحَيُّ القَيُّومُ، وَأتُوبُ إلَيهِ Astaghfirullaahal-‘Adheemal-lathee laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoomu wa ‘atoobu ‘ilayhi. (I seek the forgiveness of Allah the Mighty, Whom there is none worthy of worship except Him, the Living, the Eternal, and I repent to Him).
It was narrated from Abu Yasaar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever says Astaghfir Allaah al-‘Azeem alladhi laa ilaaha illa huwa al-Hayyu al-Qayyoom wa atoobu ilayhi will be forgiven even if his sin is fleeing from the battlefield [a major sin].”
We shall discuss other recommended du’a, insha Allah, in the days ahead.
O servants of Allah! Make use of du’a in this difficult time and we ask Allah for acceptance and solutions to our individual and collection problems and challenges.
اللَّهُمَّ اقْسِمْ لَنَا مِنْ خَشْيَتِكَ مَا تَحُولُ بِهِ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ مَعَاصِيكَ، وَمِنْ طَاعَتِكَ مَا تُبَلِّغُنَا بِهِ جَنَّتَكَ، وَمِنَ الْيَقِينِ مَا تُهَوِّنُ بِهِ عَلَيْنَا مَصَائِبَ الدُّنْيَا، اللَّهُمَّ مَتِّعْنَا بِأَسْمَاعِنَا، وَأَبْصَارِنَا، وَقُوَّاتِنَا مَا أَحْيَيْتَنَا، وَاجْعَلْهُ الْوَارِثَ مِنَّا، وَاجْعَلْ ثَأْرَنَا عَلَى مَنْ ظَلَمَنَا، وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى مَنْ عَادَانَا، وَلَا تَجْعَلْ مُصِيبَتَنَا فِي دِينِنَا، وَلَا تَجْعَلِ الدُّنْيَا أَكْبَرَ هَمِّنَا، وَلَا مَبْلَغَ عِلْمِنَا، وَلَا تُسَلِّطْ عَلَيْنَا مَنْ لَا يَرْحَمُنَا.
عباد الله : إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا ،للَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، فِي الْعَالَمِينَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Walhamdu lillahi Rabbil a’alameen.
Suleiman Zubair