Ayat al Kursi - آية الكرسي - the Verse of the Throne

Ayat al-Kursi is verse 255 of the second chapter (Surah) of the Holy Quran, Surat al-Baqarah (The Chapter of the Cow)

Below is the Arabic text, the transliteration, and the English translation and then some of the benefits of reciting this verse, the Verse of the Throne:

اللَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لاَ تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلاَ نَوْمٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلاَ يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلاَّ بِمَا شَاءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاو ;َاتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَلاَ يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

Allahu la ilaha illa Huwa, Al-Haiyul-Qaiyum La ta'khudhuhu sinatun wa la nawm, lahu ma fis-samawati wa ma fil-'ard Man dhal-ladhi yashfa'u 'indahu illa bi-idhnihi Ya'lamu ma baina aidihim wa ma khalfahum, wa la yuhituna bi shai'im-min 'ilmihi illa bima sha'a Wasi'a kursiyuhus-samawati wal ard, wa la ya'uduhu hifdhuhuma Wa Huwal 'Aliyul-Adheem

"Allah! There is no god but He - the Living, The Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him Nor Sleep. His are all things In the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede In His presence except As he permitteth? He knoweth What (appeareth to His creatures As) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass Aught of his knowledge Except as He willeth. His throne doth extend Over the heavens And on earth, and He feeleth No fatigue in guarding And preserving them, For He is the Most High. The Supreme (in glory)."
[Surah al-Baqarah 2: 255]

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40 Rabbana Duas - Duas with Rabbanah

Qur'anic supplications with 'Rabbana'

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بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

1.	Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing [2:127]	Rabbana taqabbal minna innaka antas Sameeaul Aleem	رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ العَلِيمُ [البقرة :127]
2.	Our Lord! Make of us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will), and of our progeny a people Muslim, bowing to Thy (will); and show us our place for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in Mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful [2:128]	Rabbana wa-j'alna Muslimayni laka wa min Dhurriyatina 'Ummatan Muslimatan laka wa 'Arina Manasikana wa tub 'alayna 'innaka 'antat-Tawwabu-Raheem	رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَآ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ [البقرة :128]
3.	Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire [2:201]	Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil 'akhirati hasanatan waqina 'adhaban-nar	رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ [البقرة :201]
4.	Our Lord! Bestow on us endurance, make our foothold sure, and give us help against the disbelieving folk [2:250]	Rabbana afrigh 'alayna sabran wa thabbit aqdamana wansurna 'alal-qawmil-kafirin	رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْراً وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى القَوْمِ الكَافِرِينَ [البقرة :250]
5.	Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error [2:286]	Rabbana la tu'akhidhna in-nasina aw akhta'na	رَبَّنَا لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا [البقرة :286]
6.	Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us [2:286]	Rabbana wala tahmil alayna isran kama hamaltahu 'alal-ladheena min qablina	رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا [البقرة :286]
7.	Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith [2:286]	Rabbana wala tuhammilna ma la taqata lana bihi wa'fu anna waghfir lana wairhamna anta mawlana fansurna 'alal-qawmil kafireen	رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لاَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا أَنتَ مَوْلاَنَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ [البقرة :286]
8.	Our Lord! (they say), Let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine own Presence; for Thou art the Grantor of bounties without measure [3:8]	Rabbana la tuzigh quloobana ba'da idh hadaytana wa hab lana milladunka rahmah innaka antal Wahhab	رَبَّنَا لاَ تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ [8: آل عمران]
9.	Our Lord! Thou art He that will gather mankind Together against a day about which there is no doubt; for Allah never fails in His promise. [3:9]	Rabbana innaka jami'unnasi li-Yawmil la rayba fi innAllaha la yukhliful mi'aad	رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ النَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لاَّ رَيْبَ فِيهِ إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ [آل عمران :9]
10.	Our Lord! We have indeed believed: forgive us, then, our sins, and save us from the agony of the Fire [3:16]	Rabbana innana amanna faghfir lana dhunuubana wa qinna 'adhaban-Naar	رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ [آل عمران :16]
11.	Our Lord! We believe in what Thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger. Then write us down among those who bear witness [3:53]	Rabbana amanna bima anzalta wattaba 'nar-Rusula fak-tubna ma'ash-Shahideen	رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا بِمَا أَنزَلَتْ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَِ [آل عمران :53]
12.	Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and anything We may have done that transgressed our duty: Establish our feet firmly, and help us against those that resist Faith [3:147]	Rabbana-ghfir lana dhunuubana wa israfana fi amrina wa thabbit aqdamana wansurna 'alal qawmil kafireen	ربَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَِ [آل عمران :147]
13.	Our Lord! Not for naught Hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire [3:191]	Rabbana ma khalaqta hadha batila Subhanaka faqina 'adhaban-Naar	رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَذا بَاطِلاً سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ [آل عمران :191]
14.	Our Lord! Any whom Thou dost admit to the Fire, Truly Thou coverest with shame, and never will wrong-doers Find any helpers! [3:192]	Rabbana innaka man tudkhilin nara faqad akhzaytah wa ma liDh-dhalimeena min ansar	رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ مَن تُدْخِلِ النَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ [آل عمران :192]
15.	Our Lord! We have heard the call of one calling (Us) to Faith, 'Believe ye in the Lord,' and we have believed. [3:193]	Rabbana innana sami'na munadiyany-yunadi lil-imani an aminu bi Rabbikum fa'aamanna	رَّبَّنَا إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِي لِلإِيمَانِ أَنْ آمِنُواْ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَآمَنَّا [آل عمران :193]
16.	Our Lord! Forgive us our sins, blot out from us our iniquities, and take to Thyself our souls in the company of the righteous [3:193]	Rabbana faghfir lana dhunoobana wa kaffir 'ana sayyi'aatina wa tawaffana ma'al Abrar	رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الأبْرَارِ [آل عمران :193]
17.	Our Lord! Grant us what Thou didst promise unto us through Thine apostles, and save us from shame on the Day of Judgment: For Thou never breakest Thy promise [3:194]	Rabbana wa 'atina ma wa'adtana 'ala rusulika wa la tukhzina yawmal-Qiyamah innaka la tukhliful mi'aad	رَبَّنَا وَآتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَى رُسُلِكَ وَلاَ تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّكَ لاَ تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَاد [آل عمران :194]
18.	Our Lord! We believe; write us down among the witnesses. [5:83]	Rabbana aamana faktubna ma' ash-shahideen	رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ [المائدة :83]
19.	O Allah our Lord! Send us from heaven a table set (with viands), that there may be for us - for the first and the last of us - a solemn festival and a sign from thee; and provide for our sustenance, for thou art the best Sustainer (of our needs) [5:114]	Rabbana anzil 'alayna ma'idatam minas-Samai tuknu lana 'idal li-awwa-lina wa aakhirna wa ayatam-minka war-zuqna wa anta Khayrul-Raziqeen	رَبَّنَا أَنزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَآئِدَةً مِّنَ السَّمَاء تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيداً لِّأَوَّلِنَا وَآخِرِنَا وَآيَةً مِّنكَ وَارْزُقْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ [المائدة :114]
20.	Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost. [7:23]	Rabbana zalamna anfusina wa il lam taghfir lana wa tarhamna lana kunan minal-khasireen	رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ [الأعراف :23]
21.	Our Lord! Send us not to the company of the wrong-doers [7:47]	Rabbana la taj'alna ma'al qawwmi-dhalimeen	رَبَّنَا لاَ تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ [الأعراف :47]
22.	Our Lord! Decide Thou between us and our people in truth, for Thou art the best to decide. [7:89]	Rabbanaf-tah baynana wa bayna qawmina bil haqqi wa anta Khayrul Fatiheen	رَبَّنَا افْتَحْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ قَوْمِنَا بِالْحَقِّ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الْفَاتِحِينَ [الأعراف :89]
23.	Our Lord! Pour out on us patience and constancy, and take our souls unto thee as Muslims (who bow to thy will)! [7:126]	Rabbana afrigh 'alayna sabraw wa tawaffana Muslimeen	رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ [الأعراف :126]
24.	Our Lord! Make us not a trial for those who practise oppression; And deliver us by Thy Mercy from those who reject (Thee) [10:85-86]	Rabbana la taj'alna fitnatal lil-qawmidh-Dhalimeen wa najjina bi-Rahmatika minal qawmil kafireen	رَبَّنَا لاَ تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ ; وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ [يونس :85-86]
25.	O our Lord! Truly Thou dost know what we conceal and what we reveal: for nothing whatever is hidden from Allah, whether on earth or in heaven [14:38]	Rabbana innaka ta'lamu ma nukhfi wa ma nu'lin wa ma yakhfa 'alal-lahi min shay'in fil-ardi wa la fis-Sama'	رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ مَا نُخْفِي وَمَا نُعْلِنُ وَمَا يَخْفَى عَلَى اللّهِ مِن شَيْءٍ فَي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِي السَّمَاء [إبرهيم :38]
26.	O our Lord! And accept my Prayer. [14:40]	Rabbana wa taqabbal Du'a	رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاء [إبرهيم :40]
27.	O our Lord! Cover (us) with Thy Forgiveness - me, my parents, and (all) Believers, on the Day that the Reckoning will be established! [14:41]	Rabbana ghfir li wa li wallidayya wa lil Mu'mineena yawma yaqumul hisaab	رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ [إبرهيم :41]
28.	Our Lord! Bestow on us Mercy from Thyself, and dispose of our affair for us in the right way! [18:10]	Rabbana 'atina mil-ladunka Rahmataw wa hayyi lana min amrina rashada	رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا [الكهف :10]
29.	Our Lord! We fear lest he hasten with insolence against us, or lest he transgress all bounds [20: 45]	Rabbana innana nakhafu any-yafruta 'alayna aw any-yatgha	رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا نَخَافُ أَن يَفْرُطَ عَلَيْنَا أَوْ أَن يَطْغَى [طه :45]
30.	Our Lord! We believe; then do Thou forgive us, and have mercy upon us: For Thou art the Best of those who show mercy [23: 109]	Rabbana amanna faghfir lana warhamna wa anta khayrur Rahimiin	رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ [المؤمنون :109]
31.	Our Lord! Avert from us the Wrath of Hell, for its Wrath is indeed an affliction grievous,- Evil indeed is it as an abode, and as a place to rest in. [25: 65-66]	Rabbanas-rif 'anna 'adhaba jahannama inna 'adhabaha kana gharama innaha sa'at musta-qarranw wa muqama	رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا إِنَّهَا سَاءتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا [الفرقان :65-66]
32.	O my Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous [25:74]	Rabbana Hablana min azwaajina wadhurriy-yatina, qurrata 'ayioni wa-jalna lil-muttaqeena Imaama	رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا [الفرقان :74]
33.	Our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving Ready to appreciate (service) [35: 34]	Rabbana la Ghafurun shakur	رَبَّنَا لَغَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ [فاطر :34]
34.	Our Lord! Thy Reach is over all things, in Mercy and Knowledge. Forgive, then, those who turn in Repentance, and follow Thy Path; and preserve them from the Penalty of the Blazing Fire! [40:7]	Rabbana wasi'ta kulla sha'ir Rahmatanw wa 'ilman faghfir lilladhina tabu wattaba'u sabilaka waqihim 'adhabal-Jahiim	آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ [غافر :7]
35.	And grant, our Lord! that they enter the Gardens of Eternity, which Thou hast promised to them, and to the righteous among their fathers, their wives, and their posterity! For Thou art (He), the Exalted in Might, Full of Wisdom. And preserve them from (all) ills; and any whom Thou dost preserve from ills that Day,- on them wilt Thou have bestowed Mercy indeed: and that will be truly (for them) the highest Achievement. [40:8-9]	Rabbana wa adhkhilhum Jannati 'adninil-lati wa'attahum wa man salaha min aba'ihim wa azwajihim wa dhuriyyatihim innaka antal 'Azizul-Hakim, waqihimus sayyi'at wa man taqis-sayyi'ati yawma'idhin faqad rahimatahu wa dhalika huwal fawzul-'Adheem	رَبَّنَا وَأَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي وَعَدتَّهُم وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ وَقِهِمُ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَمَن تَقِ السَّيِّئَاتِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمْتَهُ وَذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ [غافر :8-9]
36.	Our Lord! Forgive us, and our brethren who came before us into the Faith, and leave not, in our hearts, rancour (or sense of injury) against those who have believed. [59:10]	Rabbana-ghfir lana wa li 'ikhwani nalladhina sabaquna bil imani wa la taj'al fi qulubina ghillal-lilladhina amanu	رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا [الحشر :10]
37.	Our Lord! Thou art indeed Full of Kindness, Most Merciful. [59:10]	Rabbana innaka Ra'ufur Rahim	رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ [الحشر :10]
38.	Our Lord! In Thee do we trust, and to Thee do we turn in repentance: to Thee is (our) Final Goal [60:4]	Rabbana 'alayka tawakkalna wa-ilayka anabna wa-ilaykal masir	رَّبَّنَا عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ [الممتحنة :4]
39.	Our Lord! Make us not a (test and) trial for the Unbelievers, but forgive us, our Lord! for Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise. [60:5]	Rabbana la taj'alna fitnatal lilladhina kafaru waghfir lana Rabbana innaka antal 'Azizul-Hakim	رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ [الممتحنة :5]
40.	Our Lord! Perfect our Light for us, and grant us Forgiveness: for Thou hast power over all things. [66:8]	Rabbana atmim lana nurana waighfir lana innaka 'ala kulli shay-in qadir	رَبَّنَا أَتْمِمْ لَنَا نُورَنَا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا إِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ [التحريم :8]

Copyright © 2005 Mutmainaa. All Rights Reserved.
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Why our Du'as are not answered

by ibn Rajab al Hanbali
from Khushu' fis-salah

Ibrahim ibn Adham - may Allah have mercy on him - a third century scholar, a teacher and a companion of Sufyan ath-Thawri, was asked about the saying of Allah - the Most High:

"and your Lord says: "Call on me I will answer your prayer..."
[40:60]

"We supplicate and we are not answered."
So he said to them:

You know Allah, Yet you do not obey Him,

You recite the Qur'an, Yet do not act according to it,

You know Shaitan, Yet you have agreed with him,

You proclaim that you love Muhammad Yet you abandon his Sunnah,

You proclaim your love for Paradise, Yet you do not act to gain it,

You proclaim your fear the Fire, Yet you do not prevent yourselves from sins,

You say "Indeed death is true", Yet you have not prepared for it,

You point out the faults with others, Yet you do not look at your faults,

You eat of that which Allah has provided for you, Yet you do not thank Him,

You bury your dead, Yet you do not take a lesson from it."

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Best Times to make Dua (Supplication)

There are certain times dua (supplication) is more likely to be accepted by Allah (SWT) as mentioned by Prophet (SAW). These times are as follows: 

1. The Last Third Of The Night 
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (SWT)) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; "Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?."' [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]

Amr ibn Absah narrated that the Prophet said: 'The closest any worshipper can be to His Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can be amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.'[at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i, al-Hakim - Sahih]

2. Late at night When people are sleeping and busy with worldly pleasures Allah (SWT) gives the believers an opportunity, or an answer hour if they can fight sleep and invoke Allah (SWT) for whatever they need. The Prophet (SAW) said: 'There is at night an hour, no Muslim happens to be asking Allah any matter of this world or the Hereafter, except that he will be given it, and this (occurs) every night.'
[Muslim #757]

3. Between Adhan and Iqamah Anas (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama is not rejected.'
[Ahmad, abu Dawud #521, at-Tirmidhi #212, Sahih al-Jami #3408, an-Nasai and Ibn Hibban graded it sahih (sound)]

4. An Hour On Friday 
Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA): Allah’s Messenger (SAW) talked about Friday and said: 'There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) and asks something from Allah (SWT), then Allah (SWT) will definitely meet his demand.' And he (the Prophet (SAW) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands.[Sahih al-Bukhari]

Some have said that this hour is from the time the Imam (prayer’s leader) enters the mosque on Friday’s prayer until the prayer is over (ie between the two khutbahs), whereas others have said that it is the last hour of the day (ie after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib prayer).

5. While Drinking Zamzam Water
Jaber (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'Zamzam water is for what it is drunk for.' [Ahmad 3: 357 and Ibn Majah #3062]. This means that when you drink Zamzam water you may ask Allah (SWT) for anything you like to gain or benefit from this water such as healing from illness.... etc.

6. While Prostrating Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW), said: 'The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah (SWT) much in it. [Muslim, abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i and others, Sahih al-Jami #1175]

When a Muslim is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allah (SWT) and when he prostrates he is the nearest he can be to Allah (SWT) so it is best to invoke Allah (SWT) at this time. It is said that while in prostration, one should not ask for worldy needs (ie a nice car, a new job, etc), but for the Hereafter.

7. When Waking Up at Night Narrated Ubada Bin As-Samit that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'Whomever wakes up at night and says La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shrika lahu lahulmulku, wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ala kulli shai'in qadir. Alhamdu lillahi, wa subhanallahi wa la ilaha illallahu, wallah akbir, wa la hawla wala quwata illa billah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (SWT) He is the only one who has no partners. His is the kingdom and all the praises are for Allah (SWT) All the glories are for Allah (SWT) And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (SWT) and Allah (SWT) is the most Great and there is neither might nor power except with Allah (SWT) and then says, Allahumma ighfir li (O Allah! Forgive me) or invokes Allah (SWT), he will be responded to and if he makes ablution and performs Salat (prayer), his Salat (prayer) will be accepted. [Sahih al-Bukhari]

8. At The End Of The Obligatory Salat: Narrated Abu Omamah (RA): that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) was asked, O Messenger of Allah, which supplication is heard (by Allah (SWT), he said the end of the night and at the end of the obligatory Salat (prayer) [at-Tirmidhi]. This time is after saying 'At-tahyat' , and before making Tasleem (finishing prayer)

9. The Night Of 'Qadr' (Decree) This night is the greatest night of the year. This is the night which the almighty Allah (SWT) said about it, "The night of Al-Qadar (Decree) is better than a thousand months." [Surah al-Qadr, 97: 3]

The Night of Decree is one of the odd nights of the last ten nights of the blessed month of Ramadan. The angels descend down to the earth, and the earth is overwhelmed with peace and serenity until the break of dawn and when he doors of Paradise are opened, the worshipper is encouraged to turn to Allah to ask for his needs for this world and the Hereafter.

10. During The Rain Narrated Sahel Ibn Sa'ad (RA): that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'Two will not be rejected, Supplication when the Adhan (call of prayer) is being called, and at the time of the rain'. [Al-Hakim 2: 114, and Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah]

'Seek the response to your du'as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls' [reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]. The time of the rain is a time of mercy from Allah (SWT) so, one should take advantage of this time when Allah (SWT) is having mercy on His slaves.

11. At the Adhan 'Seek the response to your du'as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls' [reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]

In another hadith; 'When the prayer is called, the doors of the skies are opened, and the du'a is answered' [al-Tayalisi in his Musnad #2106, al-Sahihah #1413]

12. The One Who Is Suffering Injustice and OpressionThe Messenger of Allah (SAW) said to Mua'ad Ibn Jabal (RA), 'Beware of the supplication of the unjustly treated, because there is no shelter or veil between it (the supplication of the one who is suffering injustice) and Allah (SWT)' [Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The prophet (SAW) declared, 'Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.'[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

In another hadith; The Prophet (SAW) declared: 'Three du'as are surely answered: The du'a of the oppressed, the du'a of the traveler, and the du'a of the father/mother (upon their child)'. The One who is suffering injustice is heard by Allah (SWT) when he invokes Allah (SWT) to retain his rights from the unjust one or oppressor. Allah (SWT) has sworn to help the one who is suffering from injustice sooner or later as the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said.

13. The Traveler
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

During travel supplication is heard by Allah (SWT) if the trip is for a good reason, but if the trip is for a bad intention or to perform illegal things (making sins) this will not apply to it.

14. The Parent's Supplication for their Child The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

15. Dua after praising Allah and giving salat on the Prophet (SAW) in the tashahhud at the end of salat.Narrated Faddalah ibn Ubayd (RA): that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'When anyone of you makes du'a, let him start by glorifying his Lord and praising Him, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (SAW), then let him pray for whatever he wants'
[abu Dawud #1481, at-Tirmidhi #3477]

In another hadith; Baqiy ibn Mukhallid (RA) narrated that that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'Every du'a is not responded to until one sends blessings upon the Prophet (SAW)' [al-Bayhaqi]

In another hadith; Umar (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: 'Du'a is detained between the heavens and the earth and no part of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet (SAW)' [at-Tirmidhi #486]

After a person has finished his tashahhud and before saying the 'salam', supplication at this time is one likely to be responded to.
Ibn Mas'ud narrates: I was once praying, and the Prophet (SAW), Abu Bakr and Umar (were all present). When I sat down (in the final tashahhud), I praised Allah, then sent salams on the Prophet, then started praying for myself. At this, the Prophet (SAW) said:
'Ask, and you shall be given it! Ask, and you shall be given it!' [at-Tirmidhi #593 - hasan, Mishkat al-Misbah #931]

16. The dua of a Muslim for his absent brother or sister Muslim stemming from the heart. The prophet (SAW) said: 'There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother in his absence where the angels do not say, 'the same be for you'' [Muslim]

17. Dua on the Day of Arafat
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'The best supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafat'.  [at-Tirmidhi and Malik]

The day of Arafat is the essence and pinnacle of Hajj. On this great and momentous day, millions of worshippers gather together on one plain, from every corner of the world, with only one purpose in mind - to respone to the call of their Creator. During this auspicious day, Allah does not refuse the requests of His worshippers.

18. Dua during the month of Ramadan 
Ramadan is month full of many blessings, thus the du'a of Ramadan is a blessed one. This can be inferred from the Prophet (SAW) saying: 'When Ramadan comes, the Doors of Mercy (another narration says Paradise) are opened, and the doors of Hell are closed, and the Shaitans are locked up' Thus, it is clear that du'a during Ramadan has a greater chance of being accepted, as the Gates of Paradise and Mercy are opened. [Sahih al-Bukhari #1899, Muslim #1079 and others]

19. Dua when the Armies meet
When the Muslim is facing the enemy in battle, at this critical period, the du'a of a worshipper is accepted.

Sahl ibn Sa'd (RA) narrtaed the the Prophet (SAW) said: 'Two duas are never rejected, or rarely rejected: the du'a during the call for prayer, and the du'a during the clamity when the two armies attack each other' [Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah, al-Hakim]

20. When Muslims gather for the purpose of invoking and remembering Allah (Dhikrullah). 
The Prophet (SAW) said: If a group of people sit together remembering Allah, the angels will circle them, mercy will shroud them, peace will descend onto them and Allah will remember them among those with Him.  [Muslim]

21. First Ten days of Dhul-HijjahThe Prophet (SAW) said: 'There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than during these ten days'
[Sahih al-Bukhai #969 and others]

22. Dua when the heart reaches out to Allah and is ready to be totally sincere 
23. At Midnight
Abu Umamah (RA) said, the Prophet (SAW) was questioned; 'Which du'a is heard (by Allah)?' He answered, 'At midnight and at the end of every obligatory prayer.' [at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

25. Dua of people after the death of a person 
In a long hadith, Umm Salamah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said, when Abu Salamah had just passed away, and had closed his eyes, 'Do not ask for yourselves anything but good, for the angels will say 'Ameen' to all that you ask for. O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah, and raise his ranks among those who are guided.' [Muslim, abu Dawud, Ahmad]

26. Dua of the one fasting until he breaks his fast. 

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

27. Dua of the one fasting at the time of breaking fast

The prophet (SAW) declared, 'Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: when a fasting person breaks fast (in another narration, the fasting person until he breaks his fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.'[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

29. Dua of a just Ruler 
The prophet (SAW) declared, 'Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.'[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

30. Dua of a son or daughter obedient to his or her parents 

It is well known in the story narrated in hadith os three men who were trapped by a huge stone in a cave. One of them who was kind to kis parents asked Allah to remove the stone, and his du'a was answered. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3:36 #472]

31. Dua immediately after wudu
Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: 'There is not one of you that makes wudu, and does it perfectly, then says: I testify that there is no diety worthy of worship except Allah. he is Alone, having no partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger', except that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him, and he can enter into it through whichever one he pleases' [Muslim #234, abu Dawud #162, Ahmad, an-Nasa'i] Saying what has been mentioned in the hadith that is directly related to it (ablution)

32. Dua after stoning the Jamarat at Hajj
The stoning of the small Shaitan (jamrat sugra), or the middle Shaitan (jamrat wusta) pillars during Hajj. It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) would stone the small Jamarah (one of the three pillars that is stoned in the last days of Hajj), then face the qiblah, raise his hands, and make du'a for a long time. He would then stone the middle Jamarah and do the same. When he stoned the large Jamarah, he would depart without making any du'a. [Sahih al-Bukhari #1753 and others]

33. At the Crowing of a Rooster
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: 'When you hear a rooster crowing, then ask Allah for His bounties, for it has seen an angel, and when you hear a donkey braying, then seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan, for it has seen a Shaitan' [Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, Sahih al-Jami #611]

34. Du'a made inside the Ka'bahThe Ka'bah is a sanctuary that has no comparison in the entire world. The du'a of one who prays inside the hijr is considered as being made inside the ka'bah, as it is part of the house (Baitullah). [This is the semicircle to the right of the Ka'bah if you face the door, opposite to the Yemeni corner and the Black stone wall.]

Usamah ibn Zayd narrated, 'When the Prophet (SAW) entered the House (Ka'bah), he made du'a in all of its corners [Muslim 2: 968 and others]

35. Du'a on the mount of Safa or Marwah during Umrah or Hajj 
It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) would make long du'as at Safa and Marwah. [Muslim #1218 and others]

36. Dua at any of the holy sites.

37. While reciting Surah al-Fatihah

The Prophet (SAW) said that Allah the Exalted had said: ' I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My servant has lauded Me. When he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of Judgment, He remarks: My servant has glorified Me, and sometimes He will say: My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me. When he (the worshipper) says: Thee do we worship and of Thee do we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshipper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious -- not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. [Muslim 4: 395]

38. Saying 'Ameen' during prayer

After finishing the recitation of al-Fatihah, the saying of'Ameen' in congregation. The Prophet (SAW) said: 'When the Imam says 'Ameen', then recite it behind him (as well), because whoever's Ameen coincides with the Ameen of the angels will have all of his sins forgiven.' [Sahih al-Bukhari #780, Muslim #410 and others]

39. While visiting the sick, and dua made by the sick
Umm Salamah narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: 'When you visit the sick, or the dead then say good, because the angels say 'Ameen' to whatever you say [Muslim #2126]

Ali (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: 'When a Muslim visits his sick Muslim brother in the morning, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the evening. And when he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the morning, and he will be granted a garden for it in Jannah.'
[at-Tirmidhi, abu Dawud]

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Prayer & supplication: Must it be in Arabic?

Question: 
Many of us speak little Arabic. Is it permissible to use one's mother tongue in saying our supplication during various stages of prayer? A friend of mine says that all supplications during prayer must be in Arabic. I feel that the Prophet and his companions used Arabic because it was their mother tongue. Please comment. If a person does not speak Arabic at all, but has learned the meaning of the Qur'an in his language, can he use such translation in his prayer? 



Answer: 
All scholars agree that anyone who offers prayers must read the Al-Fatihah and the Qur'an in Arabic. It is not possible to use translation. 

If a person does not know the Fatihah, but knows another passage of the Qur'an, he is required to say in each rak'ah a passage of similar length to the Fatihah. If he does not know any part of the Qur'an in Arabic, he must learn. 

If he fears that he would miss his prayers before he could learn, he should glorify Allah, using the well known formula: Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar, la hawla wala qowwata illa billah.

If a person cannot learn all these five phrases, he learns what he can of them and repeats them. This is the case of a man who could not learn any verse of the Qur'an; the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) taught him a few simple phrases in Arabic to repeat them in his prayers. He did not tell him to glorify Allah in silence. 

Therefore, when you offer your prayer, you should say the Qur'an in Arabic and also any glorification or supplication. When you have finished your prayers, you can say any supplication in your language. 

Supplication in prayer can concentrate on what you have learned to say in Arabic. If you learn one sentence, to appeal to Allah to admit you into heaven and spare you any punishment in the hereafter, that is more than sufficient. 

You can include everything else in your supplication after prayer in your language. It is not true that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) and his companions used Arabic because it was their mother tongue. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) used Arabic in prayer because he had to read the Qur'an in prayer and the Qur'an, Allah's words, is in Arabic. Any translation of it is not the Qur'an, but an explanation of its meaning. That translator may have to change the order of the original text in order to fit his text with the grammar into which he is translating. No one can change the order of the Qur'anic words. 

Had Allah wanted the Prophet to offer his prayers in any other language, He would have told him so and would have made it easy for him to learn that language. But Allah wants us to use His Book in our prayer. As it is well known to everyone, His Book has been revealed in Arabic.

References :

http://www.islamicity.com

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The Merit of making Du'a

Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an:
"When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me." [2:186] The place of duaa is so high to Allah, that the Prophet had said: "Nothing is more honourable to Allah the Most High than du`a."
[Sahih al-Jami` no.5268]. 

He also said: "The most excellent worship is du`a." 
[Sahih Al-Jami` no. 1133];

and in order to warn those who are arogant, or careless in making duaa, the Prophet said: "The most incapable person is the one who does not make du`a, and the most miserly person is the one who does not give salaam." 
[Sahih Al-Jami` no. 1055],

and further, said: "If one does not ask Allah, He will get angry with him." 
[Sahih al-Jami` no.2414] 


Allah is the Glorious and the Mighty, the answerer of every person in need and every person with a request. Indeed Allah is free of all wants, and He is answerable to non. We have no other god, but Him, whilst He has many servants other than us. Indeed Allah has revealed: 
"O mankind! It is you who stand in need of Allah, but Allah is Rich (Free of all wants and needs), Worthy of All Praise." 
[Qur'an 35:15]

So to fulfill our needs and wants, we must call on Him. Making Du'a to Allah, is a recognition of our weakness and His greatness. The Prophet had said: "Ask Allah for everything, even the lace of your shoes. If Allah does not provide, it will never be available." 
[Ibn al-Sunni, no. 349 - hasan. Supported by at-Tirmidhi 4/298 and others.] 


And let not there be anyone who says: "... my Lord won't answer my prayer, because of this and that.. or because of so and so..". No! Indeed Allah is the Most Generous King. Is there anyone who met a king, and praised and glorified him, and then asked, yet the request was not granted? So what about Allah, the King of the Heavens and the Earth - who has total control over your life, your wealth and your future. Why would He not grant you your request? Indeed, our beloved Prophet had said: "Verily your Lord is the One modest and Generous, and when His servant raises his hands to Him in supplication, He is diffident (in some wordings, shy or hesitant) from returning them empty." 
[Ahmad, Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi - Hasan] 



[Hadith checking from Sheikh Hussain al-'Awayishah's "Kitab ad-Dua". An english translation has been published by JIMAS.]

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Where there is du'a there is hope

Fatima Asmal

Tuesday the 4th of February was a day, which changed my life, my thinking and my spirit irreversibly and forever. It will always be my pot of shining gold at the end of the rainbow, my hope in times of despair, my silver lining in every dark cloud… 


I often relate my magical little story to people, and more often than not, I can hear the disbelief in their voices, and see the doubtful expressions on their faces. But I cannot blame them for this, for, had someone told me the same story a few years ago, I, too would have probably thought it was fabricated, or at the very least, exaggerated. 

You see, I had always thought that each individual has his/her own preferences in terms of the form of ibaadah he/she gravitates towards. Some people prefer standing in supererogatory prayers for long hours, others prefer reciting Qur’an, some enjoy dhikr others prefer du'a… 

And I had resigned myself to the fact that du’a just didn’t seem to be something which I could put my heart into. Perhaps it was lack of faith on my part, or perhaps it was sheer laziness. Or perhaps I didn’t know how to ask, or when to ask. For whatever reason, du’a was always something ritualistic in my day-to-day life - a few lines of memorized Arabic words at the end of fardh salah, no tears, no smiles, no emotions, and that was it. In fact more often than not, I would leave it out. 


Until Ramadan, two years ago. I was going through an extremely tough time - sadly most of us are when we decide to ask Allah - when I received an e-mail from a mailing list I subscribe to. The brother who had sent the mail reminded readers of the assured acceptance of du’a made on the Night of Qadr (Laylatul-Qadr). He said that since this night, in all probability, occurred on one of the last ten days of the month, and since nobody knew exactly which night it was, everyone should make a list of the things which they really wanted, and on each of the last ten nights, they should fervently and passionately cry out to Allah, asking Him to give them those things. This way, the brother said, everyone would have made du’a on each and every one of the last ten nights, and hence they would be sure that they ‘caught’ the Night of Qadr, and if Allah willed, their du’a would be assure of acceptance. 

I took great inspiration from this mail, more so, because the brother spoke of how he had done this during a previous Ramadan, and how his du’a had been accepted. And so my journey of discovery of began… I would accompany my brother to the mosque for Tarawih salah every night, and we would always arrive a little early. 

I would throw my head on the ground and cry my heart out, asking Allah, like I’d never asked Him before: I asked for all the things which were missing in my life, I asked Him to remove my grief, to Bless me with what I always wanted. I finally put all the theories I had heard and read about du’a in lectures, articles and books, into practice: I acknowledged that I was weak, and my virtues, if existent at all, were few, I mentioned a few of my good deeds to Him, and asked if He would reward me for them, small though they were. I told Allah that I loved Him - and wondered why I had never bothered to tell Him this before. I told Him that I believed He could do anything - and wondered why I had never believed this before. 


That Ramadan, in those few nights, I spoke to Allah, and ask of Him, as if He was my friend, as if I truly believed He could help me, as if I was there, listening. And quite honestly, I don’t think I had done that before. And He responded. I got what I had wanted; I got what I had asked for. 

It didn’t come all at once, but it came. It didn’t come with great ease; there were many difficulties on the way, but I knew, that if I had asked Allah, then I had to have faith in Him, and if I had faith in Him, then I had to have faith in His Words: "Verily with difficult comes ease." [Surah Al-inshirah] 

I shared this little story with a few of my friends, because I felt it was blessing which other people could benefit from, and I found that I wasn’t alone. 

There were people out there who had realized the sheer power of du’a long before I had, and they inspired me further. These people made du’a for everything they wanted, no matter how big or small it seemed. There was a sister who was certain she would fail an exam, she hadn’t studied for it all - the night before her paper, she realized that there was one thing she could do for herself: make du’a! And so she did. And she passed that paper. 
Then there was another who would even make du’a to lose weight, and she said it worked. I might have laughed at her five years previously. But who was I to laugh now? A person can make du’a for he/she wants, as long as it is not haram, for e.g. asking for a premarital affair to work out, or impossible, for e.g. to be turned into an animal. And why won’t the One who says, in Surah Al-Baqarah: !When My servants ask you concerning me, I am indeed close to them: I listened to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls unto me…! Accept it? And nothing convinced me of this like February 4th 2003 did… 


My brother and I had been for Hajj in the year 2000. We desperately wanted to return, but finances never allowed it. Then shortly before Ramadan 2002, I heard of an all - expenses paid Hajj, which the Saudi Royal Family offered to journalists, wanting to gain insight into the background happenings of Hajj. I called the Saudi ambassador to South Africa, Dr Saud Zedan, who told me that there weren’t any places available for this Hajj, but that I should apply to go as a guest of the Ministry. He told me that I should fax our details to a sister called ‘Amal’ and I did so the next day. 

That Ramadan, I was faced with another test. Alhamdulillah, the previous Ramadan, I had learnt that du’a was the answer to finding my ways passing such test. So I made my list, and high up, of course, was that Allah would take me and my brother for a second Hajj. I called a close friend of mine’s, and asked her to make the same du’a. 

I kept calling the embassy to ask if my application had been successful, and I was always faced with the same answer: "We don’t know yet." January came - we would know towards the end of the month, Amal told me. The list of applicants had been faxed to Saudi Arabia, and the selection would be made there, and the names would then faxed to her. She asked me to call back on a Monday. Even today, thinking back, I can almost feel my sinking heart when I heard her words. "Dr Zenden says to tell you he is very sorry, and that in sha Allah, next year, you and your brother will be his personal guests." I called Dr Zenden for his efforts, and he had already heard the news. "It’s Allah’s decision," he said. 

I was heart broken. I thought to myself, "if I truly believed in Allah and His Power, then I will practice on that belief." So I made Wudu, and thanked Allah for His Decision, and I told Him that I understood that He knew of some good, in this outcome, which, I as a human being was unaware of. But I couldn’t help asking Him too, if He could somehow reverse the Decision. I told my close friend the bad news, and all she said was, "I am still making du’a."

A week passed, and I heard the last flight of Hujjaj had left South Africa that weekend. I spent all weekend reminiscing and feeling sorry for myself, because I wasn’t on that flight. I felt that asking for Hajj now, was like asking for something impossible, so I didn’t include it in my du’a anymore. 

Monday the 3rd of February was a devastating day. Something terrible - too personal to talk about - happened, and I felt this time, I couldn’t go no. At 3am on Tuesday I was speaking to a friend, and last words of advice I heard were, "Fatima, make wudu and pray." So I prayed. After a restless sleep, the memory of what had happened the previous night woke me up at 8am. I made wudhu again and I sat down, raised my hands and asked Allah to help me. Barely five minutes had passed and my cell phone rang. The Pretoria dialing code flashed on my screen. "Fatima?" it was Amal’s voice. "You are going for Hajj on Friday. I need your passports." 

Until today I am not sure of the hows and whys - Dr Zenden was surprised when I told him that I had been accepted; he asked me if I was sure, and he said didn’t know how my name had found its way back onto the list. "Its Allah’s Will." He reminded me. 

I later heard that my brother and I had probably been replacement for a couple who had decided not to go at the last minute, but in my heart, I know that this was probably Allah’s way of answering my du’a. 

My friend and I have spent long hours on the phone speaking about the power of du’a. It’s like a treasure, which I have started to, and continue to, discover. And I want to share it with the world. 

Talk to Allah, in times, of need and in times of happiness. Ask Him and thank Him. Ask from your heart. And if you do not get what you wanted, know that He is giving you something better, if not in this world, then in the Akhirah. Where there is du’a there is hope. Believe this. 

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What is Sincere Repentance?

Sidi Faraz Rabbani

What is Sincere Repentance? How do you know if you are truly repentant?


Allah Most High says, "Turn towards Allah, O believers, every one of you, so that you may be successful."
[24:31] 

And He says, "Ask your Lord for forgiveness and then turn in repentance to Him,"
[11:3] 

and He says, "O you who believe! Turn in sincere repentance to Allah."
[66:8]


The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, 'The one who repents from sin is like the one who never sinned.'
[Ibn Maja (3240)] 
He also said, 'Remorse is repentance.'
[Ibn Maja (4242) and Ahmad (3387)]

Abu Huraira (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,"Allah will turn towards anyone who turns in repentance before the sun rises from the place it set."
[Muslim] 

Imam Barkawi, the great Ottoman Hanafi faqih, grammarian, and sufi, defined repentance (tawba) in his Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya as,

"Going back from desire to sin, with the determination of not returning to it, in exaltation of Allah and out of fear of His punishment." [al-Bariqa fi Sharh al-Tariqa, 3.139]



The Conditions for Repentance

The conditions for repentance are well known:

1. Leaving the sin;
2. Remorse over having committed the sin;
3. Resolve never to return to the sin;
(If it relates to the rights of another person, then to) Return the rights or property one wrongly took. [al-Bariqa fi Sharh al-Tariqa; Riyad al-Salihin]

If these conditions are truly met, then one can expect one's sins to be forgiven. However, one has to be very careful about how sincere one is in fulfilling one's conditions. It is recommended to seek forgiveness a lot, and to repent every time the sin comes to one's mind.


If one keeps repeating the sin, then one should find the root cause(s) of the sin and eliminate them. For example, if one falls into a certain sin because of the company one keeps, then it would be necessary to either stop keeping their company, or to change the nature of one's relationship with them.



So, what is true repentance?

Ibn Hajar mentioned that Qurtubi quoted 23 different definitions of true repentance (al-tawba al-nasuh) in his tafsir. Ibn Hajar mentioned the most important of these:

1. Umar’s words (Allah be pleased with him) that it is, "To sin and then never to return to it."

2. To hate the sin, and the seek forgiveness for it everytime it occurs to one, as Hasan al-Basri (Allah have mercy on him) said.

3. Qatada’s words (Allah have mercy on him), "To be genuine and truthful in one’s repentance," which is what Imam Bukhari chose as the definition of true repentance in his chapter heading.

4. To have sincerity in one’s repentance.

5. To be concerned about one’s repentance not being accepted.

6. To be such that it does not need another repentance after it.

7. To be made out of fear and hope, and be accompanied by consistency in worship.

8. Like the seventh, but with the added condition that one desert those who assisted one in sin.

9. That one’s sin be between one’s eyes. [f: That is, one does not forget it.] [Ibn Hajar, Fath al-Bari]

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Some Hadith on Supplication

1496. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He who is favoured by another and says to his benefactor: `Jazak-Allah khairan (may Allah reward you well)' indeed praised (the benefactor) satisfactorily.''
[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary:  If one is unable to return someone's kindness with kindness, he should say, "Jazak-Allahu khairan (may Allah reward you well).'' This means: "I am unable to reciprocate your kindness. May Allah grant you the best reward for it.'' Obviously there is no match for the reward that one gets from Allah. For this reason the Prophet (PBUH) said that it was the best of the praise for a benefactor.

1497. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Do not invoke curses on yourself or on your children or on your possessions lest you should happen to do it at a moment when the supplications are accepted, and your prayer might be granted.''
[Muslim].

Commentary: Almighty Allah always listens to everyone's prayer but He has fixed certain times when He grants more prayers addressed to Him. Therefore, one should never curse oneself or one's own children or one's own business, etc., lest this is done at the time when prayers are accepted by Allah and then one has to regret it all his life.

1498. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "A slave becomes nearest to his Rubb when he is in prostration. So increase supplications in prostrations.''
[Muslim].

Commentary:  This Hadith points out the exellence of supplicating while prostrating in Salat, as one gets closer to Allah in this position.

1499. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH), "The supplication of every one of you will be granted if he does not get impatient and say (for example): `I supplicated my Rubb but my prayer has not been granted'.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The narration of Muslim is: "The supplication of a slave continues to be granted as long as he does not supplicate for a sinful thing or for something that would cut off the ties of kinship and he does not grow impatient.'' It was said: "O Messenger of Allah! What does growing impatient mean?'' He (PBUH) said, "It is one's saying: `I supplicated again and again but I do not think that my prayer will be answered.' Then he becomes frustrated (in such circumstances) and gives up supplication altogether.''

Commentary: We learn from this Hadith that one should continue beseeching Allah without ever thinking that in spite of praying for a long time, his prayer has not been granted. One should never allow frustration to overcome in his mind. If a person's supplication is not granted for a long time, there would be certainly some good for him in that delay the reason of which is known to Allah Alone. It is, therefore, essential that he should never cease to pray whether his prayer is granted or not. Persistence in prayer is certainly beneficial to him.

1500. Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked: "At what time does the supplication find the greatest response?'' He (PBUH) replied, "A supplication made during the middle of the last part of the night and after the conclusion of the obligatory prayers.''
[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary:  "Al-'Akhir'' is the characteristic of "Jauf'' and in the present context it means the late hours of night. "Jauf'' can also mean here "middle'', that is in the later-half of the night.

In other words, if the night is divided between two equal parts then it (Jauf) would be the middle of the second part. In either case it is the time of the night which in other Ahadith has been termed as the third part of the night. It is the time when Almighty Allah comes to descend on the sky of this world.

Prayers are also granted by Allah after the obligatory Salat.

1501. `Ubadah bin As-Samit (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Whenever a Muslim supplicates Allah, He accepts his supplication or averts any similar kind of trouble from him until he prays for something sinful or something that may break the ties of kinship.'' Upon this someone of the Companions said: "Then we shall supplicate plenty.'' The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Allah is more plentiful (in responding).''
[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary:  We learn from this Hadith that prayer (supplication) is beneficial to us in any case, because Almighty Allah either grants the prayer we make, or if the supplication is not being accepted, He removes some future trouble that was destined for us, or He grants us in full in the Hereafter.

A Muslim should never feel shy of praying to Allah. In fact, he should persistently pray because there is no end to His Treasures.

1502. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to say when he was in distress: "La ilaha illallahul-Azimul-Halim. La ilaha illallahu Rabbul-`Arshil-`Azim. La ilaha illallahu Rabbus-samawati, wa Rabbul-ardi, wa Rabbul-`Arshil-Karim. (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the Incomparably Great, the Compassionate. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the Rubb of the Mighty Throne. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the Rubb of the heavens, the Rubb of the earth, and the Rubb of the Honourable Throne).''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: The only medicine in a time of distress is the remembrance of Allah Whose Help alone should be sought. This Du`a contains words which glorify Allah and exalt Him far above all else. It is desirable to recite these words when one is in distress as this is exactly what the Prophet (PBUH) used to recite in such situations.

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