إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ نَحْمَدُهُ، وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ، مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللَّهُ فَلا مُضِلَّ لَهُ، وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمَّا بَعْدُ:
❀Being content with Allah’s will in every situation
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ ﴿٨٣﴾
Allah Almighty said: And (remember) Job, when he called upon his Lord, saying, “Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.”
Hadith 1
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: الْمُؤْمِنُ الْقَوِيُّ خَيْرٌ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى اللهِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِن الضَّعِيفَ ، وَفِي كُل خَيْرٌ احْرِصْ عَلَى مَا يَنْفَعُكَ، وَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ، وَلَا تَعْجَزْ، وَإِنْ أَصَابَكَ شَيْءٌ فَلَا تَقُلْ لَوْ أَنِّي فَعَلْتُ كَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا، وَلَكِنْ قُلْ قَدَّرَ اللَّهُ وَمَا شَاءَ فَعَلَ، فَإِنَّ لَوْ تَفْتَحُ عمَلَ الشَّيْطَان.
Narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
A strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, while there is good in both. Desire that which benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not be helpless. If a calamity befalls you, do not say, “If I had done such and such, it would have been such and such,” but say, “Whatever Allah has willed has happened.” Verily, (the word) “if” opens the door to the deeds of Satan.
❀A unique remedy for sorrows and grief
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:إنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا ﴿٥٦﴾
Allah Almighty has said:
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.”
Hadith 2
وَعَنْ الطُّفَيْلِ بْنِ أَبي بنِ كَعْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا ذَهَبَ ثُلُثَا اللَّيْلِ قَامَ فَقَالَ: يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اذْكُرُوا اللهَ اذْكُرُوا اللهَ جَاءَتْ الرَّاجِفَةُ تَتْبَعُهَا الرَّادِفَةُ جَاءَ الْمَوْتُ بِمَا فِيهِ جَاءَ الْمَوْتُ بِمَا فِيهِ ، قَالَ أَبَيُّ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ! إِنِّي أُكْثِرُ الصَّلَاةَ عَلَيْكَ فَكَمْ أَجْعَلْ لَكَ مِنْ صَلَاتِي؟ فَقَالَ: مَا شِئْتَ . قَالَ: قُلْتُ: الربع؟ قَالَ: مَا شِئْتَ . فَإِنْ زِدْتَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ، قُلْتُ: النِّصْفَ قَالَ: مَا شِئْتَ . فَإِنْ زِدْتَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ، قَالَ: قُلْتُ: فَالثُّلُثَيْنِ؟ قَالَ: مَا شِئْتَ . فَإِنْ زِدْتَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ، قُلْتُ: أجْعَلُ لَكَ صَلاتِى كُلَهَا؟ قَالَ: إِذَا تُكْفَى هَمَّكَ، وَيُغْفَرُ لَكَ ذَنْبُكَ
“And Hazrat Tufail narrates from his father Ubayy bin Ka’b (RA) that once the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stood up when two-thirds of the night had passed and said:
O people! Remember Allah الراجفة (the blowing of the trumpet) has come, and after it الرادفة (the second blowing of the trumpet) will follow, death has come upon you, death has come. He said I asked: O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I frequently send blessings upon you, tell me how much should I send blessings upon you? He ﷺ said: As much as you wish. He said I asked: A quarter of the day? He ﷺ said: As much as you wish, but if you send more than that, it is better. I asked: Half? He ﷺ said: As much as you wish, but if you send more than that, it is better for you. He said I asked: Two-thirds? He ﷺ said: As you wish, but if you send more than that, it is better for you. He said I asked: Should I keep sending blessings upon you all the time? He ﷺ said: Then all your sorrows will be removed and all your sins forgiven.”
❀The greatest trials come upon the Prophets (peace be upon them)
قالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ ﴿٢١٤﴾
Allah Almighty has said:
“(Then) do you think that you will enter Paradise without such trials as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe suffering and adversity, and were shaken, so that the Messenger and those who believed with him said, ‘When will the help of Allah come?’ Indeed, the help of Allah is near.”
Hadith 3
وَعَنْ سَعْدِ، قَالَ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيُّ النَّاسِ أَشَدُّ بَلَاءً؟ قَالَ: الأَنْبِيَاءُ ثُمَّ الأَمْثَلُ فَالأَمْثَلُ ، فَيُبْتَلَى الرَّجُلُ عَلَى حَسَبٍ دِينِهِ، فَإِنْ كَانَ دِينُهُ صُلْبَا اشْتَدَّ بَلَاؤُهُ، وَإِنْ كَانَ فِي دِينِهِ رِقَةٌ ابْتُلِيَ عَلَى حَسَبٍ دِينِهِ، فَمَا يَبْرَحُ الْبَلاءُ بِالْعَبْدِ حَتَّى يَتْرَكَهُ يَمْشِي عَلَى الْأَرْضِ مَا عَلَيْهِ خَطِيئَةٌ۔
“And Hazrat Saad (RA) asked the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), ‘O Messenger of Allah! Which people are tested the most?’ He (PBUH) replied: Prophets, then the best people, then the next best people. A person is tested according to the strength of his faith. If his faith is strong, his test is very severe. If there is weakness in his faith, he is tested according to the level of his faith. Calamities continue to befall a person until all his sins are forgiven.”
❀One way Allah Almighty shows kindness to His servant
قالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَذَا النُّونِ إِذ ذَّهَبَ مُغَاضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَن لَّن نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَىٰ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ أَن لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٨٧﴾
Allah Almighty said:
“And (remember) the man of the fish (Yunus), when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree anything upon him. Then he called out within the darkness, ‘There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.'”
Hadith 4
وَعَنْ سَعْدِ ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: دَعْوَةُ ذِي النُّونِ إِذَا دَعَا رَبَّهُ وَهُوَ فِي بَطَنِ الْحُوتِ وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّلِمِينَ لَمْ يَدْعُ بِهَا رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ فِي شَيْءٍ إِلَّا اسْتَجَابَ لَه.
And it is narrated from Hazrat Saad (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“The supplication of Yunus (AS) when he was in the belly of the fish وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَنَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظلمين was. Whenever a Muslim makes this supplication to his Lord for any need, his prayer will be accepted.”
❀Sins are forgiven through fatigue
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: قَالَ إِنَّمَا أَشْكُو بَثِّي وَحُزْنِي إِلَى اللَّهِ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٨٦﴾
Allah Almighty said:
“I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah, and I know from Allah what you do not know.”
Hadith 5
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: مَا يُصِيبُ الْمُسْلِمَ مِنْ نَصَبٍ وَلا وَصَبٍ وَلَا هَمٍّ وَلَا حُزْنٍ، وَلا أَذًى، ولا غم حَتَّى الشَّوْكَةِ يُشَاكُهَا إِلَّا كَفَّرَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِنْ خَطَايَاهُ.
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whatever fatigue, illness, distress, sorrow, or pain a Muslim suffers, even if it is a thorn that pricks him, Allah will forgive his sins in return.”
❀A unique way to get out of poverty
قالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْغَمِّ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُنجِي الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٨٨﴾
Allah Almighty said:
“So We answered his prayer, and We saved him from grief. And thus do We save the believers.”
Hadith 6
وَعَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكِؓ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: مَنْ كَانَتْ الْآخِرَةُ هَمَّهُ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ غِنَاهُ فِي قَلْبِهِ وَجَمَعَ لَهُ شَمْلَهُ، وَأَتَتْهُ الدُّنْيَا وَهِيَ رَاغِمَةٌ، وَمَنْ كَانَتْ الدُّنْيَا هَمَّهُ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ فَقْرَهُ بين عينيْهِ وَفَرَّقَ عَلَيْهِ شَمْلَهُ، وَلَمْ يَأْتِهِ مِنْ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَا قُدِّرَ لَهُ
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Anas (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Whoever is concerned about the Hereafter, Allah fills his heart with the wealth of contentment and gathers his thoughts. The world comes to him humiliated, and whoever values the world, Allah writes poverty for him, while the world only comes to him as much as has been decreed for him.”
❀ A believer finds rest in Allah’s mercy after death
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَا ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ ﴿٢٢﴾
Allah Almighty said: “No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in a Book before We bring it into existence. Indeed, that is easy for Allah.”
Hadith 7
وَعَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ بن رِبْعِيٍّ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ رضي الله عنه أَنَّهُ كَانَ يُحَدِّثُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مُرَّ عَلَيْهِ بِجِنَازَةِ، فَقَالَ: مُسْتَرِيحُ وَمُسْتَرَاحٌ مِنْهُ، قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا الْمُسْتَرِيحُ وَالْمُسْتَرَاحُ مِنْهُ ، قَالَ: الْعَبْدُ الْمُؤْمِنُ يَسْتَرِيحُ مِنْ نَصَبِ الدُّنْيَا وَأَذَاهَا إِلَى رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ، وَالْعَبْدُ الْفَاجِرُ يَسْتَرِيحُ مِنْهُ الْعِبَادُ والْبَلادُ وَالشَّجَرُ وَالدَّوَابُّ.
“And Hazrat Abu Qatada bin Rabi Ansari (RA) narrates that once a funeral passed in front of the Prophet ﷺ. He ﷺ said: The one who finds comfort or the one who gives comfort. The Companions (RA) asked: What does it mean, the one who finds comfort or the one who gives comfort? He ﷺ said: The believer, after death, finds relief from the hardships, troubles, and sorrows of this world and rests in the mercy of Allah, while the disbeliever and the wicked, by their death, bring relief to other people, the city, trees, and livestock.”
❀The Explanation of the Freedom of a Servant Trapped in the Sorrows of the World
قال الله تَعَالَى: لَتُبْلَوُنَّ فِي أَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ وَلَتَسْمَعُنَّ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَمِنَ الَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا أَذًى كَثِيرًا ۚ وَإِن تَصْبِرُوا وَتَتَّقُوا فَإِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ ﴿١٨٦﴾
“Allah Almighty has said: ‘Indeed, you will be tested through your wealth and your selves, and you will hear from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with Allah much abuse. But if you are patient and fear Allah, indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of determination.'”
Hadith 8
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: إِذَا حُضِرَ الْمُؤْمِنُ، أَتَتْهُ مَلَائِكَةُ الرَّحْمَةِ بِحَرِيرَةِ بَيْضَاءَ، فَيَقُولُونَ: اخْرُجِي رَاضِيَةً مَرْضِيًّا عَنْكِ إِلَى رَوْحِ اللَّهِ وَرَيْحَانِ وَرَبِّ غَيْرِ غَضْبَانَ، فَتَخْرُجُ كَأَطْيَبِ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ، حَتَّى أَنَّهُ لَيُنَاوِلُهُ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا، حَتَّى يَأْتُونَ بِهِ بَابَ السَّمَاءِ، فَيَقُولُونَ: مَا أَطْيَبَ هَذِهِ الرِّيحَ الَّتِي جَاءَتْكُمْ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ فَيَأْتُونَ بِهِ أَرْوَاحَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، فَلَهُمْ أَشَدُّ فَرَحًا بِهِ مِنْ أَحَدِكُمْ بِغَائِبِهِ يَقْدَمُ عَلَيْهِ، فَيَسْأَلُونَهُ: مَاذَا فَعَلَ فُلانٌ؟ مَاذَا فَعَلَ فُلانٌ؟ فَيَقُولُونَ: دَعُوهُ، فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ فِي غَمَ الدُّنْيَا، فَإِذَا قَالَ: أَمَا أَتَاكُمْ؟ قَالُوا: ذَهَبَ بِهِ إِلَى أُمِّهِ الْهَاوِيَةِ: وَإِنَّ الْكَافِرَ إِذَا اخْتُضِرَ، أَتَتْهُ مَلائِكَةُ الْعَذَابِ بِمِسْحٍ فَيَقُولُونَ: اخْرُجِي سَاخِطَةً مَسْخُوطًا عَلَيْكِ إِلَى عَذَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّوَجَلَّ فَتَخْرُجُ كَأَنتنِ رِيحَ جِيفَةٍ، حَتَّى يَأْتُونَ بِهِ بَابَ الْأَرْضِ، فَيَقُولُونَ: مَا أَنْتَنَ هَذِهِ الرِّيحَ حَتَّى يَأْتُونَ بِهِ أَرْوَاحَ الْكُفَّارِ .
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: When the time of a believer’s death approaches, the angels of mercy come to him carrying a white silk cloth (to wrap his soul in it) and say, ‘O best of souls, proceed happily towards the blessings of your Lord.’ You are pleased with Allah and Allah is pleased with you; your Lord is not angry with you. This soul exits perfumed with the best fragrance of musk. The angels carry it in their hands and reach the gates of the heavens. The inhabitants of the heavens say, ‘You have brought a better fragrance from the earth.’ They include it among the souls of the believers, who become so happy upon seeing it as you would be if you found a lost member of your family. They ask about this one and that one, and then the souls say, ‘Leave him, he was trapped in the sorrows of the world.’ It (in surprise) says, ‘Did he not come to you?’ The souls say, ‘He has gone to his place, Hawiyah (the valley of Hell).’ And when the time of a disbeliever’s death approaches, the angels of punishment come to him carrying a piece of coarse cloth made of dirty hair and say, ‘O wretched soul! Proceed towards the punishment of Allah; Allah is angry with you.’ Its smell is as severe as that of a corpse. They bring it to the gate of the earth, where they say, ‘How foul this smell is!’ Until it is included among the souls of the disbelievers.”
❀The World is a Prison for the Believer
قالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ ﴿١٥٥﴾
Allah Almighty has said: “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.”
Hadith 9
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَؓ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: الدُّنْيَا سِجْنُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَجَنَّةُ الْكَافِرِ.
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever.”
❀The Reward for Patience in Hardships and Distress
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ حَتَّىٰ نَعْلَمَ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ مِنكُمْ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَنَبْلُوَ أَخْبَارَكُمْ ﴿٣١﴾
Allah Almighty has said: “And We will surely test you until We know those who strive among you and the patient, and We will test your affairs.”
Hadith 10
وَعَنْ صُهَيْبٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: عَجَبًا لِأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ، إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَلَيْسَ ذَاكَ لَاحَدٍ إِلَّا لِلْمُؤْمِنِ، إِنْ أصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُ، وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاء صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا له.
And it is narrated from Hazrat Suhaib (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“How wonderful is the affair of the believer; indeed, every action of his is good. (Blessing) No one else except the believer is granted this. If he attains happiness, he thanks Allah, and this is good for him; and if he faces hardship, he is patient, and this too is good for him.”
❀The hardship that comes is from Allah
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: الم﴿١﴾ أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ ﴿٢﴾ وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ ﴿٣﴾
Allah Almighty has said:
“Alif Lam Meem. Do people think that they will be left alone just by saying, ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested? And indeed, We tested those before them. And Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.”
Hadith 11
وَعَنِ ابْنِ الدَّيْلَمِي قَالَ: أَتَيْتُ أَبَيَّ بْنَ كَعْبٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ: وَقَعَ فِي نَفْسِي شَيْءٌ مِنَ الْقَدْرِ ، فَحَدِّثْنِي بِشَيْءٍ لَعَلَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنْ يُذْهِبَهُ مِنْ قَلْبِي، قَالَ: لَوْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَذَبَ أَهْلَ سَمَاوَاتِهِ وَأَهْلَ أَرْضِهِ لَعَذَّبَهُمْ وَهُوَ غَيْرُ ظَالِم لَهُمْ وَلَوْ رَحِمَهُمْ لَكَانَتْ رَحْمَتُهُ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ مِنْ أَعْمَالِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ لَكَ مِثْلُ جَبَلٍ أَحَدٍ ذَهَبًا أَوْ مِثْلُ جَبَل أُحدِ تُنْفِقُهُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ مَا قُبِلَ مِنْكَ حَتَّى تُؤْمِنَ بِالْقَدَرِ كُلِّهِ، فَتَعْلَمَ أَنَّ مَا أَصَابَكَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُخْطِئَكَ، وَأَنَّ مَا أَخْطَأَكَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُصِيبَكَ، وَأَنَّكَ إنْ مُتْ عَلَى غَيْر هَذَا دَخَلْتَ النَّارَ
“And Hazrat Ibn Dailami says that I came to Ubayy bin Ka’b (رضي الله عنه) and said that some things about predestination put me in doubt. He told me that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: If Allah Almighty punishes all the creatures of the heavens and the earth, He will not be called unjust for doing so. And if He shows mercy to them, His mercy will be better for them than all their deeds. And if you have gold equal to the mountain of Uhud (or according to one narration, the mountain of Uhud itself) and you spend it in the way of Allah, Allah will not accept it until you believe in predestination. So know that the calamity that has reached you could not have missed you, and what has missed you could not have reached you. If you die without believing in this belief of predestination, you will enter the Hellfire.”
❀Belief in Allah Almighty’s Decree
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى : إِنَّا كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقْنَاهُ بِقَدَرٍ ﴿٤٩﴾
Allah Almighty has said:
“Indeed, We have created everything with measure.”
Hadith 12
وَعَنْ أَبِي حَفْصَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ عُبَادَةُ بْنُ الصَّامِتِ لِابْنِهِ: يَا بَنَى إِنَّكَ لَنْ تَجِدَ طَعْمَ حَقِيقَةِ الْإِيمَان حَتَّى تَعْلَمَ أَنَّ مَا أَصَابَكَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُخْطِئَكَ ، وَمَا أَخْطَأَكَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُصِيبَكَ.
“And it is narrated from Abu Hafsah that Hazrat Ubada bin Samit (RA) said to his son: O my son! You can never taste the reality of faith until you know (and believe) that indeed the calamity that befell you could not have missed you, and what missed you could not have befallen you.”
❀The Reward of Illness and Hardship
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿٥﴾ إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿٦﴾
Allah Almighty has said: “So verily, with every difficulty there is relief. Indeed, with every difficulty there is relief.”
Hadith 13
وَعَنْ عَبْدِاللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: دَخَلْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ يُوعَكُ وَعَكًا شَدِيدًا فَمَسِسْتُهُ بِيَدِي فَقُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّكَ لَتُوْعَكُ وَعْكًا شَدِيدًا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: أَجَلْ إِنِّي أَوْعَكُ كَمَا يُوعَكُ رَجُلَانِ مِنْكُمْ. فَقُلْتُ: ذَلِكَ أَنَّ لَكَ أَجْرَيْنِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: أَجَلْ ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يُصِيبُهُ أَذًى مَرَضٌ فَمَا سِوَاهُ إِلَّا حَطَ اللَّهُ لَهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِ كَمَا تَحُط الشَّجَرَةُ وَرَقَهَا.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (RA) that I came to the presence of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when he had a fever. I touched his body with my hand and said, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! You have a very high fever. He ﷺ said: Yes, I have a fever equal to that of two men. I said, this must be because you receive double the reward. He said: Yes. Then he ﷺ said that whenever a Muslim suffers from illness or any other hardship, Allah Almighty removes his sins just as a tree sheds its leaves.”
❀Statement on sins being forgiven through fever
Hadith 14
وَعَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم دَخَلَ عَلَى أَمْ السَّائِبِ، أَوْ أَمَ الْمُسَيَّبِ، فَقَالَ: مَا لَكِ يَا أَمَّ السَّائِبِ أَوْ يَا أَمَّ الْمُسَيَّبِ، تُزَفْزِفِينَ قَالَتْ: الْحُمى، لا بَارَكَ اللهُ فِيهَا ، فَقَالَ: لا تَسبي الحمى، فَإِنَّهَا تُذهِبُ خَطَايَا بَنِي آدَمَ ، كَمَا يُذْهِبُ الْكِيرُ خَبَثَ الْحَدِيدِ.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went to Umm Saib or Umm Musib and said: O Umm Saib! or O Umm Musib! You are shivering! What is the matter? She said: I have a fever, may Allah not bless it! The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Do not curse fever, indeed it wipes away the sins of the children of Adam just as a furnace removes the impurities of iron.”
❀Trial as a Cause for Forgiveness of Sins
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا
Allah Almighty said: “Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.”
Hadith 15
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: مَا يَزَالُ البَلاءُ بِالْمُؤْمِنِ وَالْمُؤْمِنَةِ فِي نَفْسِهِ وَوَلَدِهِ وَمَالِهِ حَتَّى يَلْقَى الله وَمَا عَلَيْهِ خَطِيئَةٌ
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: A believing man or woman is tested through their self, children, and wealth until they meet Allah free from any sin.”
❀The Wisdom Behind Trials from Allah
قالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ ﴿١١﴾
Allah Almighty has said: “No calamity befalls except by the permission of Allah, and whoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart. And Allah is All-Knowing of everything.”
Hadith 16
وَعَنْ أَنَسِؓ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِعَبْدِهِ الْخَيْرَ عَجَلَ لَهُ الْعُقُوبَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا، وَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِعَبْدِهِ الشَّرِّ أَمْسَكَ عَنْهُ بِذَنْبِهِ حَتَّى يُوَافِي بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ .
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Anas (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When Allah intends good for His servant, He hastens to punish him in this world. And when He intends evil for a servant, He withholds the punishment because of his sins, until the Day of Resurrection when He will recompense him for his sins.”
❀Example of a Believer and a Hypocrite or Disbeliever
قَالَ الله تَعَالَى: وَمَا أَصَابَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْتَقَى الْجَمْعَانِ فَبِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١٦٦﴾
Allah Almighty has said: “And what befell you on the day the two armies met was by Allah’s permission, and so that Allah might know the believers.”
Hadith 17
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِن كَمَثَلِ الزَّرْعَ لَا تَزَالُ الرِّيحُ تُمِيلُهُ، وَلَا يَزَالُ الْمُؤْمِنُ يُصِيبُهُ البَلاءُ، وَمَثَلُ الْمُنَافِقِ كَمَثَلِ شَجَرَةِ الْأَرْزِ، لَا تَهْتَزُّ حَتَّى تُسْتَحْصَدَ
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: The example of a believer is like that (soft and delicate) crop which the wind bends and inclines; similarly, the believer is continuously tested (and is bowed before Allah). And the example of a hypocrite is like the pine tree which neither bends nor inclines until the time of its cutting comes.”
❀The Greater the Trial, the Greater the Reward
قَالَ الله تَعَالَى:وَاصْبِرْ وَمَا صَبْرُكَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ ۚ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُ فِي ضَيْقٍ مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ ﴿١٢٧﴾ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوا وَّالَّذِينَ هُم مُّحْسِنُونَ ﴿١٢٨﴾
Allah Almighty said: “And (O Prophet!) be patient, and your patience is only by Allah’s help, and do not grieve over them, nor be distressed by what they plot. Indeed, Allah is with those who are righteous and do good.”
Hadith 18
وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ إِنَّ عِظَمَ الْجَزَاءِ مَعَ عِظَم الْبَلَاءِ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا أَحَبَّ قَوْمَا ابْتَلَاهُمْ، فَمَنْ رَضِيَ فَلَهُ الرّضَا وَمَنْ سَخِطَ فَلَهُ السَّخَط.
“It is narrated from Hazrat Anas (RA) that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: Indeed, great reward comes with great trials, and surely when Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever is pleased with the trial, for him is the pleasure and approval of Allah, and whoever is displeased with the trial, for him is the displeasure and anger of Allah.”
❀Seeking Help from Allah Almighty in Calamities
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: فَلَا يَحْزُنكَ قَوْلُهُمْ ۘ إِنَّا نَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ ﴿٧٦﴾
Allah Almighty has said: So let not their speech grieve you; indeed, We know what they conceal and what they declare.
Hadith 19
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَؓ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: الْمُؤْمِنُ الْقَوِيُّ خَيْرٌ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى اللهِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ الضَّعِيفِ، وَفِي كُل خَيْرٌ، احْرِصْ عَلَى مَا يَنفَعُكَ، وَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ، وَلَا تَعْجَزْ، وَإِنْ أَصَابَكَ شَيْءٌ فَلا تَقُلْ لَوْ أَنِّي فَعَلْتُ كَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا ، وَلَكِنْ قُلْ قَدَرُ اللَّهِ، وَمَا شَاءَ فَعَلَ، فَإِنَّ لَوْ تَفْتَحُ عَمَلَ الشَّيْطَان.
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “So the strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in everyone. Desire that which benefits you and seek help from Allah and do not be helpless. And if a calamity befalls you, do not say: ‘If I had done such and such, it would have been such and such,’ but say: ‘Allah has decreed, and what He wills, He does.’ Verily, the word ‘If’ opens the work of Satan.”
❀ The Reward of a Servant Tested Regarding the Eyes
قال الله تَعَالَى: وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ ﴿١٥٥﴾
Allah Almighty has said: “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.”
Hadith 20
وَعَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَالَ: إِذَا ابْتَلَيْتُ عَبْدِى بِحَبِيبَتَيْهِ فَصَبَرَ عَوَّضْتُهُ مِنْهُمَا الْجَنَّةَ.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Anas bin Malik (RA) that I heard the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) say: Indeed Allah Almighty says: When I test My servant concerning his two beloved things (eyes) and he remains patient, then I will grant him Paradise in exchange for those things.”
❀The statement about reciting Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un in calamity
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ ﴿١٥٦﴾
Allah Almighty has said: “Those who, when afflicted with calamity, say: Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.”
Hadith 21
وَعَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى الْأَشْعَرِي أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: إِذَا مَاتَ وَلَدُ الْعَبْدِ قَالَ اللهُ لِمَلَائِكَتِهِ: قَبَضْتُمْ وَلَدَ عَبْدِي فَيَقُولُونَ: نعم، فَيَقُولُ: قَبَضْتُم ثَمَرَة فُؤَادِهِ، فَيَقُولُونَ: نَعَمْ، فَيَقُولُ: مَاذَا قَالَ عَبْدِى فَيَقُولُونَ: حَمِدَكَ وَاسْتَرْجَعَ فَيَقُولُ اللهُ ابْنُوا لِعَبْدِي بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَسَمُوهُ بَيْتَ الْحَمْدِ.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Musa Ash’ari (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When a person’s son dies, Allah Almighty asks His angels: Have you taken the soul of My servant’s son? The angels reply: Yes. Allah then asks: Have you broken the fruit of his heart? The angels reply: Yes. Allah then asks: What did My servant say then? The angels reply: Your servant praised You and recited انَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ. So Allah Almighty says: Build a house for My servant in Paradise and name it ’’بيت الحمد“.”
❀Prayer by giving the means of righteous deeds to come out of calamities
قالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَابْتَغُوا إِلَيْهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَاهِدُوا فِي سَبِيلِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٣٥﴾
Allah Almighty has said: “O you who have believed! Fear Allah and seek His closeness, and strive in His cause so that you may succeed.”
Hadith 22
وَعَن ابْنِ عُمَرَ : أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: بَيْنَمَا ثَلاثَةُ نَفَر مِمَّنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ يَمْشُونَ إِذْ أَصَابَهُمْ مَطَرْ فَأَوَوْا إِلَى غَارٍ فَانْطَبَقَ عَلَيْهِمْ ، فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ إِنَّهُ وَاللَّهِ يَا هَؤُلَاءِ لَا يُنجِيكُمْ إِلَّا الصِّدْقُ ، فَلَيَدْعُ كُلُّ رَجُلٍ مِنْكُمْ بِمَا يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ قَدْ صَدَقَ فِيهِ فَقَالَ وَاحِدٌ مِنْهُمُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ كَانَ لِي أَجِيرٌ عَمِلَ لِي عَلَى فَرَقٍ مِنْ أَرُزُ فَذَهَبَ وَتَرَكَهُ وَأَنِّي عَمَدْتُ إِلَى ذَلِكَ الْفَرَقِ فَزَرَعْتُهُ فَصَارَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ أَنِّي اشْتَرَيْتُ مِنْهُ بَقَرًا وَأَنَّهُ أَتَانِي يَطْلُبُ أَجْرَهُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ: اعْمِدُ إِلَى تِلْكَ الْبَقَرِ فَسُقْهَا فَقَالَ لِي: إِنَّمَا لِي عِنْدَكَ فَرَقٌ مِنْ أَرُزُ، فَقُلْتُ لَهُ: اعْمِدُ إِلَى تِلْكَ الْبَقَرِ فَإِنَّهَا مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْفَرَقِ، فَسَاقَهَا فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنِّي فَعَلْتُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ خَشْيَتِكَ فَفَرِّجْ عَنَّا فَانْسَاحَتْ عَنْهُمُ الصَّخْرَةُ . فَقَالَ الْآخَرُ: اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ كَانَ لِي أَبَوَانِ شَيْخَانِ كَبِيرَانِ فَكُنتُ أَتِيهِمَا كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ بِلبن غنم لِي ، فَأَبْطَأْتُ عَلَيْهِمَا لَيْلَةً فَجِئْتُ وَقَدْ رَقَدَا وَأَهْلِي وَعِيَالِي يَتَضَاغَوْنَ مِنَ الْجُوع، فكُنتُ لَا أَسْقِيهِمْ حَتَّى يَشْرَبَ أَبْوَايَ فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أُوقِظَهُمَا وَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أَدَعَهُمَا فَيَسْتَكِنَّا لِشَرْبَتِهِمَا، فَلَمْ أَزَلْ أَنتَظِرُ حَتَّى طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ، فَإِن كُنتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنِّي فَعَلْتُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ خَشْيَتِكَ فَفَرِّجْ عَنَّا فَانْسَاحَتْ عَنْهُمُ الصَّخْرَةُ حَتَّى نَظَرُوا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ. فَقَالَ الآخَرُ: اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ كَانَ لِي ابْنَةُ عَمْ مِنْ أَحَبَّ النَّاسِ إِلَى وَأَنِّي رَاوَدْتُهَا عَنْ نَفْسِهَا فَأَبَتْ إِلَّا أَنْ آتِيهَا بِمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ ، فَطَلَبْتُهَا حَتَّى قَدَرْتُ فَأَتَيْتُهَا بِهَا فَدَفَعْتُهَا إِلَيْهَا فَأَمْكَنَتْنِي مِنْ نَفْسِهَا ، فَلَمَّا قَعَدْتُ بَيْنَ رِجْلَيْهَا ، فَقَالَتِ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ وَلَا تَفُضَّ الْخَاتَمَ إِلَّا بِحَقِّهِ فَقُمْتُ وَتَرَكْتُ الْمِائَةَ دِينَارٍ، فَإِن كُنتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنِّي فَعَلْتُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ خَشْيَتِكَ فَفَرِّجْ عنَّا، فَفَرَّجَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ فَخَرَجُوا.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Umar (RA) that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: It is a story from the past that three men set out on a journey, and suddenly, while traveling, they were caught in rain which forced them to take shelter in a cave. When they entered the cave, its entrance was sealed by a heavy stone. They said to each other: By Allah! Only the deed that you sincerely performed can save you from this calamity, so each of you should pray with the deed that he sincerely did in mind.
Then one of them said: O Allah! Surely You know that I had a laborer who worked for me. (For some reason, he became angry and) he left his work and I sowed the wages I owed him in the field, from which I earned enough to buy a cow. Then once he came to ask me for his wages, and I said: Go to that cow, untie it and take it away. He said to me: You only have my rice. Then I said: Catch that cow and take it, for I earned it from him. So he took the cow and left. So O Allah! If I did this out of fear of You, then save us from this calamity.” Then the stone moved a little.
Then the second said: O Allah! Surely You know that my parents were very old, so every night I used to milk my goat and give them the milk. One night I was late in giving them the milk, and when I brought the milk to them, they had already fallen asleep, while my family was starving, but I did not give them milk until my parents drank it. I did not like to wake them up, nor did I like to leave them in such a state that they might become weak for lack of their milk. So I waited for them to wake up until dawn. So if You know that I did this out of fear of You, then remove this stone from us.” So the stone moved so far that they could see the sky.
Then the third said: O Allah! You know that I had a cousin who was dearer to me than anyone else. I tried to seduce her to do evil, but she refused unless I gave her one hundred dinars. So I collected the required dinars and brought them to her and gave them to her. Then she gave me control over her body. When I sat between her legs, she said: Fear Allah and do not break the seal except by its right. So I stood up and left the hundred dinars (and also left her without committing fornication). So O Allah! If You know that I did this out of fear of You, then remove this stone from us.”
So Allah removed the stone from them and they came out of the cave.”
❀ Maintain a Relationship with Allah Even in Prosperity
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ
Allah Almighty has said: “They did not appreciate Allah with the appreciation due to Him.”
Hadith 23
وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسِ وَلَا أَحْفَظْ حَدِيثَ بَعْضِهِمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: كُنتُ رَدِيفَ رَسُولِ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، فَقَالَ: يَا غُلَامُ أَوْ يَا غُلَيْمٌ أَلا أُعلمكَ كَلِمَاتٍ يَنفَعُكَ اللَّهُ بِهِنَّ فَقُلْتُ: بَلَى ، فَقَالَ: احْفَظ اللهَ يَحْفَظْكَ ، اِحْفَظ اللهَ تَجِدْهُ آمَامَكَ ، تَعَرَّفْ إِلَيْهِ فِي الرَّخَاءِ، يَعْرِفُكَ فِى الشِدَّةَ، وَإِذَا سَأَلْتَ، فَاسْأَلِ اللَّهَ ، وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنتَ، فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ ، قَدْ جَفَّ الْقَلَمُ بِمَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ، فَلَوْ أَنَّ الْخَلْقَ كُلَّهُمْ جَمِيعًا أَرَادُوا أَنْ يَنْفَعُوكَ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَكْتُبُهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ، لَمْ يَقْدِرُوا عَلَيْهِ، وَإِنْ أَرَادُوا أَنْ يَضُرُّوكَ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَكْتُبُهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ، لَمْ يَقْدِرُوا عَلَيْهِ، وَاعْلَمُ أَنَّ فِي الصَّبْرِ عَلَى مَا تَكْرَهُ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا، وَإِنَّ النَّصْرَ مَعَ الصَّبْرِ ، وَإِنَّ الْفَرْجَ مَعَ الْكَرْبِ، وَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (RA). And I do not remember some part. He said that I was riding behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. And he said to me: O boy! Shall I teach you some beneficial words? I said, why not. He ﷺ said: Protect Allah and He will protect you; protect Allah and you will find Him before you. Remember Him in times of ease and He will remember you in times of hardship. And when you ask, ask Allah; and when you seek help, seek help from Allah. Indeed, the pen has dried up. So if all creation gathers to benefit you with something that Allah has not written for you, they will not be able to benefit you. And if all gather to harm you with something that Allah has not written for you, they will not be able to harm you. And know that in patience over what you dislike there is much good, and help is with patience, and relief comes after hardship, and ease comes with hardship.”
❀Prayers of a Person Afflicted with Sorrow and Grief
قَالَ الله تَعَالَى: أَمَّن يُجِيبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ السُّوءَ وَيَجْعَلُكُمْ خُلَفَاءَ الْأَرْضِ ۗ أَإِلَٰهٌ مَّعَ اللَّهِ ۚ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ ﴿٦٢﴾
Allah Almighty has said: “(Are they better) or He (Allah) who accepts the prayer of the distressed when he calls upon Him, and who relieves his suffering, and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is there any deity with Allah? Little do you remember.”
Hadith 24
وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: مَا قَالَ عَبْدٌ قَط إِذَا أَصَابَهُ هُمْ وَحَزَنْ أَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ وَابْنُ عَبْدِكَ وَابْنُ أَمَتِكَ وَفِي قَبْضَتِكَ نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ ، مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُكْمُكَ ، عَدْلٌ فِي قَضَاؤُكَ ، أَسْأَلُكَ بِكُلِّ إِسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ ، سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ أَوْ أَنْزَلْتَهُ فِي كِتَابِكَ أَوْ عَلَّمْتَهُ أَحَدًا مِنْ خَلْقِكَ أَوْ أَلْهَمْتَ عِبَادَكَ ، أَوْ إِسْتَأْثَرْتَ بِهِ فِي مَكْنُونَ الْغَيْبِ عِنْدِكَ، أَنْ تَجْعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيعَ قَلْبِي ، وَنُورَ صَدْرِي وَجَلَاءَ حُزْنِي وَذِهَابَ هَمِّي . إِلَّا أَذْهَبَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ . همهُ ، وَأَبْدَلَهُ مَكَانَ حُزْنِهِ فَرَحًا، قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ! يَنْبَغِي لَنَا أَنْ نَتَعَلَّمَ هَؤُلَاءِ الْكَلِمَاتِ قَالَ: أَجَلْ ، يَنبَغِي لِمَنْ سَمِعَهُنَّ أَنْ يَتَعَلَّمَهُنَّ.
“It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ud (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Whoever is afflicted with grief or sorrow should recite this supplication, and Allah Almighty will turn his sorrow into happiness: O Allah! I am Your servant, my forehead is in Your hand, Your command prevails over me, and every decision You make is just for me. I ask You by every name that belongs to You alone, which You have named Yourself with, or revealed in Your Book, or taught to any of Your creation, or preserved in the knowledge of the unseen with You, that You make the Great Qur’an the spring of my heart, the light of my chest, the remover of my sorrow, and the reliever of my distress.” It was asked: O Messenger of Allah! Should we not learn this supplication? He ﷺ replied: Certainly, whoever hears it should learn it.”
Hadith 25
وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ: أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَقُولُ عِنْدَ الْكَرْبِ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْعَظِيمُ الْحَلِيمُ ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ السَّمَوَاتِ وَرَبُّ الْأَرْضِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيمِ.
“And Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (RA) narrates that when the Prophet ﷺ was troubled by any matter causing great distress, he ﷺ would recite this supplication: There is no deity except Allah, the Most Patient, the Most Magnificent; there is no deity except Allah, the Lord of the Noble Throne; there is no deity except Allah, the Sustainer of the Great Throne; there is no deity except Allah, the Lord of the heavens, the earth, and the Noble Throne.”
Hadith 26
وَعَنْ أَنَسِ قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ يَقُولُ: أَللَّهُمَّ أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنَ الهم وَالْحُزْن، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَضَلَع الدين وغلبة الرجال.
“And Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ used to seek refuge from grief and sorrow by reciting this supplication: O Allah! I seek refuge in You from grief and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts, and the domination of people.”
❀ Recitation of Ayat al-Kursi for Protection
Hadith 27
وَعَنْ أَبِى هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: وَكَلَنِي رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بحفظ زَكَاةِ رَمَضَانَ، فَأَتَانِي آتِ فَجَعَلَ يَحْثُو مِنَ الطَّعَامِ، فَأَخَذْتُهُ وَقُلْتُ: وَاللَّهِ لَأَرْفَعَنَّكَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: إِنِّي مُحْتَاج وَعَلَى عِيَالٌ ، وَلِى حَاجَةٌ شَدِيدَةٌ، قَالَ: فَخَلَّيْتُ عَنْهُ فَأَصْبَحْتُ فَقَالَ: النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم: يَا أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ مَا فَعَلَ أَسِيرُكَ الْبَارِحَةَ قَالَ: قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ شَكَا حَاجَةً شَدِيدَةً وَعِيَالًا فَرَحِمْتُهُ، فَخَلَّيْتُ سَبِيلَهُ قَالَ: أَمَا إِنَّهُ قَدْ كَذَبَكَ وَسَيَعُودُ فَعَرَفْتُ أَنَّهُ سَيَعُودُ لِقَوْلِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: إِنَّهُ سَيَعُودُ فَرَصَدْتُهُ فَجَعَلَ يَحْثُو مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَأَخَذْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ: لَأَرْفَعَنَّكَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: دَعْنِي فَإِنِّي مُحْتَاجُ ، وَعَلَى عِيَالٌ لَا أَعُودُ، فَرَحمتهُ فَخَلَّيْتُ سَبيلَهُ فَأَصْبحْتُ ، فَقَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: يَا أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ مَا فَعَلَ أَسِيرُكَ . قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ شَكَا حَاجَةٌ شَدِيدَةً وَعِيَالًا فَرَحِمَتُهُ فَخَلَّيْتُ سَبِيلَهُ. قَالَ: أَمَا إِنَّهُ قَدْ كَذَبَكَ وَسَيَعُودُ فَرَصَدْتُهُ الثَّالِثَةَ فَجَعَلَ يَحْثُو مِنَ الطَّعَامِ، فَأَخَذْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ: لَأَرْفَعَنَّكَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، وَهَذَا آخِرُ ثَلَاثِ مَرَّاتٍ أَنَّكَ تَزْعُمُ لا تَعُودُ ثُمَّ تَعُودُ. قَالَ: دَعْنِي أَعَلِمُكَ كَلِمَاتٍ يَنْفَعُكَ اللهُ بِهَا قُلْتُ مَا هُوَ؟ قَالَ إِذَا أَوَيْتَ إِلَى فِرَاشِكَ فَاقْرَأْ آيَةَ الْكُرْسِيَ ﴿اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ﴾
حَتَّى تَخْتِمَ الْآيَةَ ، فَإِنَّكَ لَنْ يَزَالَ عَلَيْكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ حَافِظٌ وَلَا يَقْرَبَنَّكَ شَيْطَانٌ حَتَّى تُصْبِحَ، فَخَلَّيْتُ سَبِيلَهُ فَأَصْبَحْتُ، فَقَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَا فَعَلَ أَسِيرُكَ الْبَارِحَةَ قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ يُعَلِّمُنِي كَلِمَاتٍ ، يَنْفَعُنِي اللهُ بِهَا فَخَلَّيْتُ سَبِيلَهُ . قَالَ: مَا هِيَ قُلْتُ قَالَ: لِى إِذَا أَوَيْتَ إِلَى فِرَاشِكَ فَاقْرَأْ آيَةً الْكُرْسِي مِنْ أَوَّلِهَا حَتَّى تَخْتِمَ الْآيَةَ وَاللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَقَالَ لِي: لَنْ يَزَالَ عَلَيْكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ حَافِظُ وَلَا يَقْرَبَكَ شَيْطَانٌ حَتَّى تُصْبِحَ، وَكَانُوا أَحْرَصَ شَيْءٍ عَلَى الْخَيْرِ ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَمَا إِنَّهُ قَدْ صَدَقَكَ وَهُوَ كَذُوبٌ، تَعْلَمُ مَنْ تُخَاطِبُ مُنذُ ثَلاثِ لَيَالِ يَا أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: لَا ، قَالَ: ذَاكَ شَيْطَانٌ.
“And Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) appointed me to guard the zakat of Ramadan. One night, a man suddenly came to me and started taking handfuls of grain. I caught him and said, ‘By Allah, I will take you to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).’ He said, ‘By Allah, I am very needy. I have children and I am in great need.’ Abu Hurairah said that upon his apology, I let him go. When morning came, the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) asked me, ‘O Abu Hurairah! What did your prisoner do last night?’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! He cried out of extreme need and for his children, so I had mercy on him and let him go.’ He said, ‘He lied to you and left; he will come again.’ Because of the Prophet’s statement, I was sure he would come again. So I kept watch for him. When he came the second night and started taking grain again, I caught him again and said, ‘I will take you to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).’ But again he pleaded, ‘Let me go, I am needy. The burden of children is on my head. I will never come again.’ I had mercy on him and let him go again. When morning came, the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘O Abu Hurairah! What did your prisoner do?’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! He again cried out of extreme need and for his children, so I had mercy on him and let him go.’ He (peace be upon him) again said, ‘He lied to you and left; he will come again.’ For the third time, I waited for him. When he came the third night and started taking grain again, I caught him and said, ‘Now it is necessary to take you to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). This is the third time. Each time you assured me you would not come again, but you did not desist.’ He said, ‘If you let me go this time, I will teach you some words by which Allah will benefit you.’ I asked, ‘What are those words?’ He said, ‘When you lie down on your bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi ﴿اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ﴾ completely. A guarding angel appointed by Allah will protect you continuously, and until morning, Satan will not come near you.’ This time too, I let him go. When morning came, the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, ‘What did your prisoner do last night?’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! He taught me some words and assured me that Allah would benefit me by them, so I let him go.’ He asked, ‘What are those words?’ I said, ‘He said that when you lie down on your bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi from the beginning ﴿اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ﴾ to the end. He also told me that a guarding angel appointed by Allah will remain over you because of this recitation, and until morning, Satan will not come near you.’ The Companions were the foremost to accept good. The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him), upon hearing this, said, ‘Although he was a liar, he told you the truth in this matter. O Abu Hurairah! Do you know who you were dealing with for three nights?’ He said, ‘No.’ The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘He was Satan.'”
❀The Three Quls for Protection from Every Calamity and Distress
Hadith 28
وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ خُبَيْبٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ: خَرَجْنَا فِي لَيْلَةٍ مَطِيرَةٍ وَظُلْمَةِ شَدِيدَةٍ نَطْلبُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي لَنَا ، قَالَ: فَأَدْرَكْتُهُ فَقَالَ: قُلْ فَلَمْ أَقُلْ شَيْئًا، ثُمَّ قَالَ: قُلْ فَلَمْ أَقُلْ شَيْئًا، قَالَ: قُلْ فَقُلْتُ: مَا أَقُولُ؟ قَالَ: قُلْ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ وَالْمُعَودَتَيْنِ حِينَ تُمْسِى وَتُصْبِحُ ثَلاثَ مَرَّاتٍ تَكْفِيكَ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ
“And Abdullah bin Khubaib (RA) says, I asked, O Messenger of Allah! What should I recite? He ﷺ said: Recite three times each morning and evening ﴿قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ﴾
﴿قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ﴾
and ﴿قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ﴾
, for these are sufficient to protect you from every (calamity and distress).”
❀The Last Two Verses of Surah Al-Baqarah Are Sufficient to Protect from Every Calamity
Hadith 29
وَعَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ رَضِى اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم: مَنْ قَرَأَ بالآيتين مِنْ آخِرِ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ فِي لَيْلَةٍ كَفَتَاهُ.
“And it is narrated from Abu Mas’ud (RA) that he reported from the Prophet ﷺ that the Prophet ﷺ said: Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they are sufficient to protect him from every kind of calamity and distress.”
❀Recite This Supplication Upon Seeing a Distressed Person
Hadith 30
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: مَنْ رَأَى مُبْتَلَى فَقَالَ: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي عَافَانِي مِمَّا ابْتَلَاكَ بِهِ، وَفَضَّلَنِي عَلَى كَثِيرٍ مِمَّنْ خَلَقَ تَفْضِيلا ، لَمْ يُصِبْهُ ذَلِكَ البَلاءُ.
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Whoever, upon seeing a person afflicted with a calamity, recites: (All praise is due to Allah who has saved me from that calamity which He has afflicted you with and who has favored me over many of His creatures), then he (the one who recites this supplication) will never be afflicted by that calamity.”
❀Supplication for seeking refuge from the evil of all creatures
Hadith 31
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ مَنْ قَالَ حِينَ يمْسِى ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ لَمْ يَضُرَّهُ حُمَةٌ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: Whoever recites these words three times in the evening: أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ (I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of all creatures), then the poison of the stinging creature will not harm him that night.”
❀Supplication for protection from sudden calamities
Hadith 32
وَعَنْ عُثْمَانَ يَعْنِي ابْنَ عَفَّانَ يَقُولُ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ: مَنْ قَالَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ لَمْ تُصِبْهُ فَجَأَة بَلَاءِ حَتَّى يُصْبِحَ، وَمَنْ قَالَهَا حِينَ يُصْبِحُ ثَلَاثُ مَرَّاتٍ لَمْ تُصِبَهُ فَجَأَةٌ بَلَاءِ حَتَّى يُمْسِى.
“And Hazrat Usman bin Affan (RA) said that I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: Whoever recites these words three times in the evening: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ (In the name of Allah, with whose name nothing in the earth or the heavens can cause harm) then no sudden calamity will befall him until morning, and whoever recites these words three times in the morning, no sudden misfortune will befall him until evening.”
❀Prayer for Protection from the Decline of Blessings
Hadith 33
وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: كَانَ مِنْ دُعَاءِ رَسُولِ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَوَالِ نِعْمَتِكَ وَتَحَولِ عَافِيَتِكَ وَفُجَاءَةِ نِقْمَتِكَ وَجَمِيعِ سَخَطِكَ.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) made the following supplication: O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the decline of Your blessings, deprivation of Your well-being, Your sudden punishment, and from every kind of Your anger.”
❀Keep Asking Allah for Well-being in this World and the Hereafter
Hadith 34
وَعَنْ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ مُطْعِمٍ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ ابْنَ عُمَرَ يَقُولُ: لَمْ يَكُن رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَدَعُ هَؤُلاءِ الدَّعَوَاتِ حِينَ يُمْسِى وَحِينَ يُصْبِحُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيَة فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ ، اللهم إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَة فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَأَهْلِي وَمَالِي ، اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُرْ عَوْرَتِي. وَقَالَ عُثْمَانُ عَوْرَاتِي، وَآمِنْ رَوْعَاتِي، اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ وَمِنْ خَلْفِي، وَعَنْ يَمِينِي وَعَنْ شِمَالِي، وَمِنْ فَوْقِى، وَأَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَتِكَ أَنْ أَغْتَالَ مِنْ تحتی
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Jubair bin Mut’im (RA) that I heard Ibn Umar (RA) say that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to supplicate with these words: O Allah! I ask You for well-being in this world and the Hereafter. O Allah! I ask You for forgiveness and pardon in my religion, my worldly affairs, my family, and my wealth. O Allah! Cover my faults, protect me from fear, guard me from in front, behind, right, left, and above me, and I seek refuge in Your greatness from being destroyed from beneath me.”
❀ Supplication averts calamity
Hadith 35
وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ: مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَدْعُو بِدُعَاءِ إِلَّا آتَاهُ اللَّهُ مَا سَأَلَ، أَوْ كَفَّ عَنْهُ مِنَ السُّوْءِ مِثْلَهُ، مَا لَمْ يَدْعُ بِإِثْمِ أَوْ قَطِيعَةِ رَحِم.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Jabir (RA) that I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: When a person makes a supplication, Allah grants him what he has asked for or averts from him a calamity equivalent to it, provided that he does not ask for something sinful or for severing family ties.”
❀If there is pain in the body, recite this supplication
Hadith 36
وَعَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ أَبِي الْعَاصِ الثَّقَفِيِّ: أَنَّهُ شَكَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَجَعًا، يَجِدُهُ فِي جَسَدِهِ مُنْذُ أَسْلَمَ، فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: ضَعْ يَدَكَ عَلَى الَّذِي تَأَلَّمَ مِنْ جَسَدِكَ، وَقُلْ بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ، ثَلاثًا ، وَقُلْ سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأَحَاذِرُ.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Uthman bin Abi al-As (RA) that I complained to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about pain in my body, so the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) said: Place your hand on the part of the body where you feel pain, then recite three times بسم اللہ (In the name of Allah) and then recite seven times: أَعُوذُ بِعِزَّةِ اللَّهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأَحَاذِرُ I seek refuge in the honor and power of Allah from the evil of what I feel and from what I fear.”
❀Supplication to get out of the circle of sorrows
Hadith 37
وَعَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِي قَالَ: دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ذَاتَ يَوْمِ الْمَسْجِدَ، فَإِذَا هُوَ بِرَجُلٍ مِنْ الْأَنْصَارِ يُقَالُ لَهُ أَبُو أُمَامَةَ فَقَالَ: يَا أَبَا أُمَامَةَ، مَا لِي أَرَاكَ جَالِسًا فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فِي غَيْرِ وقتِ الصَّلَاةِ؟ قَالَ: هُمُوم لَزِمَتْنِي وَدُيُون يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ: أَفَلَا أُعْلِمُكَ كَلامًا إِذَا أَنْتَ قُلْتَهُ أَذْهَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ هَمَّكَ، وَقَضَى عَنْكَ دَيْنَكَ؟ قَالَ: قُلْتُ: بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ: قُلْ: إِذَا أَصْبَحْتَ وَإِذَا أَمْسَيْتَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُبِكَ مِنَ الهَم وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُبِكَ مِنَ الجُبْن وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهرِ الرجال.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (RA) that one day the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the Prophet’s Mosque and there was an Ansari companion named Abu Umamah. The Prophet ﷺ said: O Abu Umamah! I see you sitting in the mosque outside of prayer times (what is the matter?). Abu Umamah (RA) said: O Messenger of Allah! I am overwhelmed by sorrows and burdened by debts. The Prophet ﷺ said: Shall I teach you a phrase that when you recite it, Allah will remove your sorrow and pay off your debt? He said: O Messenger of Allah! Why not! (Please tell me). The Prophet ﷺ said: Recite morning and evening: O Allah! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from grief and sorrow, and I seek refuge in You from weakness and laziness, cowardice and miserliness, the burden of debt and the domination of people. Abu Umamah (RA) says: When I recited this supplication, Allah removed my sorrow and paid off my debt.”
❀ Prayer to Avoid Poverty and Destitution
Hadith 38
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَأْمُرُنَا إِذَا أخَذَ أَحَدُنَا مَضْجَعَهُ أَنْ يَقُولُ: اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمَوَاتِ وَرَبَّ الْأَرْضِينَ وَرَبَّنَا وَرَبَّ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ وَفَالِقَ الْحَبَ وَالنَّوَى وَمُنْزِلَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنْجِيلِ وَالْقُرْآنِ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلَّ ذِي شَرِّ أَنْتَ آخِذٌ بِنَاصِيَتِهِ ، أَنْتَ الْأَوَّلُ فَلَيْسَ قَبْلَكَ شَيْءٌ، وَأَنْتَ الْآخِرُ فَلَيْسَ بَعْدَكَ شَيْءٌ، وَالظَّاهِرُ فَلَيْسَ فَوْقَكَ شَيْءٌ، وَالْبَاطِنُ فَلَيْسَ دُونَكَ شَيْءٌ، اقْضِ عَنِّي الدَّيْنَ وَأَغْنِنِي مِنْ الْفَقْرِ.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded us that whenever any one of us lies down on the bed, he should recite this prayer: O Lord of the heavens and the earth! And Lord of everything! The One who splits the grain and the date-stone! The One who revealed the Torah, the Gospel, and the Qur’an! I seek refuge in You from the evil of every wicked one whose forehead is in Your Hand. You are the First, so there is nothing before You; and You are the Last, so there is nothing after You; and You are the Manifest, so there is nothing above You; and You are the Hidden, so there is nothing beneath You. Remove debt from me and suffice me from poverty and destitution.”
Hadith 39
وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ: كَانَ أَكْثَرُ دُعَاءِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم: اللَّهُمْ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ، وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Anas (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to frequently supplicate: O Allah! Grant us goodness in this world and goodness in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire.”
❀The Reward of Consoling the Afflicted
Hadith 40
وَعَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ حَزْمٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَالَ: مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يُعَزِّي أَخَاهُ بِمُصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا كَسَاهُ اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَهُ مِنْ حُلَلِ الْكَرَامَةِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Amr bin Hazm (RA) that the Noble Prophet (PBUH) said: Whoever consoles his brother in faith over any calamity, Allah Almighty will bestow upon him a robe of honor on the Day of Resurrection.”
وَصَلَّى اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَيْرٍ خَلْقِهِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ
