Ramadaan Series 1442

Du‘aa Series – Part One

As we traverse the journey of life, we find that the entire road is not scenic and picturesque. Rather, the road is intermittently dotted with various hurdles and challenges. In these moments of difficulty, each person looks around him, imploring assistance and seeking a helping hand.

When we ask any person for help, then it always has disadvantages. He may assist us, but it may be done grudgingly. If he assists us happily and wholeheartedly, then he may be prepared to render assistance once, twice or maybe thrice. If we thereafter implore him for further assistance, he may become irritated, or may even lack the means and resources to help us further. At times, we wish to ask a person for help, but the person is inaccessible and cannot be contacted. Often, a person renders assistance, but thereafter reminds you of his favour and regards you to be indebted to him. Sometimes, we mention our problems to a person, hoping to garner sympathy, but instead receive harsh criticism and a stern rebuke.

There is only One whom we can continue to ask, and the more we ask Him, the happier He becomes. He rewards us for asking Him, and also fulfils our requests. He can be ‘contacted’ 24/7, from any portion of the earth, sky or even from space. Even a person who is totally helpless can reach out to Him for assistance. His treasures are never depleted and He is always prepared to shower His blessings on us. Never does He give grudgingly and never does He become irritated by us begging Him for help. When we ‘offload’ our problems and burdens by speaking to Him, He fills our hearts with solace and peace that cannot be described. That Most-Generous and Most-Kind Being is Allah Ta‘ala, and it is through du‘aa that we turn to Him and beg Him for help.

Du‘aa has been described in the hadeeth as being the weapon of a believer, as through turning to Allah Ta‘ala in du‘aa and securing His divine assistance, one is able to overcome any obstacle, hurdle or difficulty. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) once said to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), “Shall I not show you something that will save you from your enemies and increase your sustenance? Make du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala day and night, for indeed du‘aa is the weapon of a believer.” (Majma‘uz Zawaaid #17153)

As an Ummah, many of us have lost the habit of engaging in du‘aa. If we understood the powerful effect of du‘aa, the dynamic results it produces and the immense rewards we receive for it, we would strive to engage in du‘aa at every available opportunity.

Such is the blessing of du‘aa that it costs us nothing and our ‘connection’ to Allah Ta‘ala is instant. Furthermore, the results of the du‘aa are GUARANTEED to never disappoint.

In one hadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) explained that when a person makes du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala, then it is not necessary that Allah Ta‘ala will grant him exactly what he asked for. However, this does not mean that his du‘aa went unanswered. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned that on making du‘aa, Allah Ta‘ala will grant a person one of three things. The first is that Allah Ta‘ala will grant him what he had asked for quickly. The second is that Allah Ta‘ala will (not grant him what he requested, but will) instead keep the reward of the du‘aa for him in the Aakhirah. The third is that Allah Ta‘ala (will not grant him what he wished for, but) will avert from him a calamity (that was otherwise meant to afflict him) equal to what he had asked for. (Musnad Ahmad #11133)

Hence, though it may outwardly appear that the du‘aa has not been answered, the reality is that Allah Ta‘ala knows what is best for us and thus deals with us with more love and compassion than even parents shows their beloved child.

The month of Ramadaan is the ideal time for us to reconnect with Allah Ta‘ala through the blessing of du‘aa. The du‘aa of a fasting person is accepted, the du‘aa at the time of sehri is accepted and the du‘aa at the time of iftaar is accepted. Likewise, the du‘aa made after the fardh salaah is accepted. We should thus avail of these golden moments and stretch our hands forth, begging Allah Ta‘ala and placing all our needs before Him – needs of this world and the next. We should call our young children, make them sit beside us and teach them to make du‘aa as well. In this way, the habit of turning to Allah Ta‘ala in du‘aa will insha-Allah become firmly entrenched in their hearts.

Insha-Allah, in the weeks to come, we will discuss various aspects relating to du‘aa, so that we can inculcate within ourselves the noble habit of constantly turning to Allah Ta‘ala in the correct manner.