41. To fast: this includes both fasting in Ramadan and optional fasts throughout the year just as the prophet (ﷺ) used to practice. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous” [2:183]
42. To perform the Hajj: it is compulsory upon those who are financially and physically capable of performing the pilgrimage to go for Hajj at least once in our lives. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression will return [free from sins] as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him.” [Bukhari]
43. To make i’tikaf: this the act in which a believer secludes oneself in a masjid, away from worldly matters for a period of time, usually for days. The most common time for this was the last 10 nights of Ramadan. It was narrated by Aisha: “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to practice Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice Itikaf after him.” [Bukhari]
44. Emigrating from that place which is harmful for one’s deen: moving away from a country or city in which there is excess fitna is also a branch in our deen. This especially applies in our time, when fitna is widespread and has consumed many places around the world – but of course it is for those who are capable of the move. It is mustahab (preferred) for those who are living in non-Muslims countries to move away, and is deemed compulsory on those who are unable to openly practice their religion in the place of fitna.
A man asked, “O Messenger of Allah, which emigration is best?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “To emigrate from that which Allah disapproves. Emigration is of two kinds: the emigration of the resident and the bedouin. As for the emigration of the bedouin, he responds when he is called and he obeys when he is commanded. As for the emigration of the resident, its trial is more severe and its reward is greater.” [Ahmad]
45. To fulfil the vows that have been made to Allah: vows in general are a serious matter, and are of even more significance when it comes to making a vow with Allah. He says in the Qur’an:
“And do not approach the property of an orphan, except in the way that is best, until he reaches maturity. And fulfil [every] covenant. Indeed, the covenant is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.” [17:34]
Allah paired the fulfilment of one’s covenants/vows with the avoidance of an orphan’s wealth to show us the severity of the action.
46. To fulfil the oaths that are not sinful: some oaths are deemed sinful and should not be carried out, but at the same time they should not be completely avoided, but replaced with something better. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever swears an oath then sees that something else is better than it, let him do that and offer expiation for his oath.” [Muslim]
“O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.” [7:31]
When Allah mentions here “eat and drink”, this does not merely include sustenance as in food, this also includes our daily lives in general. So here, when Allah talks about those who are excessive, this includes everything from our worldly entertainment to our deen.
These people are known as the “musrifeen” which is derived from “israf”. People that suffer from israf have a tendency to go overboard with what they are doing. A simple example can be food – one can be full and still carry on eating simply out of being excessive. Another example is being excessive in the deen: people that abandon their daily responsibilities and relationships to learn more about Islam. This breaks the relationships people have with these people and pushes them away from the religion.
A young woman recently approached a teacher of Islam and complained about her mother. She mentioned that the mother would study the deen all day, abandoning everything in her life. The young woman was beginning to move away from the deen simply due to how her mother lead her life. It portrayed the deen as taking over one’s life, cutting relations and not allowing any breathing room.
We must understand that Allah does not want our lives to be this way, instead He wants us to balance our lives, not to lean more on one side over the other. Take our prophet (ﷺ) as an example; he was the final messenger of Allah, but was also a father, a husband and a friend to many people. He balanced his life, never going overboard, never being excessive in his actions.
Think of Islam as a bird, it will only fly straight if the wings are balanced.
May Allah make us of those who live a balanced life.
35. To make dua: asking Allah for guidance and help in our lives is part of the deen. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Dua is worship” [Tirmidhi]
36. Making dhikr of Allah: the prophet (ﷺ) has taught us that there are multiple dhikr we can do throughout the day; morning, evening, night, before and after prayer, when sleeping, when waking up etc. These are all forms of feeding the soul, just as we feed our stomachs. Dhikr will also bring about Allah’s protection. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance” [33:41]
37. To abstain from the sins of the tongue: these include – but not limited to – lies, backbiting, swearing, vulgar words etc. The tongue is one of the major reasons for many people’s torment in the hereafter; we sadly witness many Muslims that fall into these sins. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw-bones and what is between his two legs (i.e. his tongue and his private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him.” [Bukhari]
38. To make wudhu, ghusl and keep oneself hygienic: wudhu and ghusl are a form of purification, not just for the areas that are touched with water but also for the soul – staying clean is part of Islam. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Purity is half of Imane (faith).” [Muslim]
39. To be steadfast in offering Salah: this does not just mean that we must pray our 5 daily prayers, this is also highlighting the importance of guarding the prayers. Performing the correct wudu, concentrating in our prayers, praying on time etc. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.” [2:238]
40. To pay zakat: this is one of the core pillars of Islam as many of us already know, it is the compulsory charity to be given to those in need from people who are capable (meet the nisab). If all capable people of the world were to pay their zakat as Allah has taught us, there will be no famine. Of course, some will be blessed with more than others in terms of wealth, but the suffering we see around the world today, where some people cannot even find bread to eat, will not exist. Allah says:
“And decree for us in this world [that which is] good and [also] in the Hereafter; indeed, we have turned back to You.” [ Allah ] said, “My punishment – I afflict with it whom I will, but My mercy encompasses all things.” So I will decree it [especially] for those who fear Me and give zakah and those who believe in Our verses” [7:156]
“For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.” [94:5]
The translation in English covers the basic meaning of what Allah is saying – the fact that in life, hardship comes with ease. However, there is a deeper meaning here; let us quickly dive into the Arabic used in this Ayah.
Allah starts the Ayah with the word “fa’ina” which briefly translates to “verily” or “indeed”, but the real meaning behind it is that whatever comes after this word is essentially something that is sure to happen, without any doubt and the fact the “fa” is used as a prefix tells us that it happens with hardship, not after or before.
So without any doubt, there will be ease. The meaning in English also fails to cover an important aspect and that is the fact that Allah uses a singular term “‘usr” for hardship and the plural “yusra” for ease. Therefore, this means that “with one hardship, there will be multiple situations of ease”.
From our own ignorance, we as humans always look at the hardships we are facing, and forget the ease Allah has blessed us with. Allah says here, that one door may close, but as a result, many others will open.
May Allah make us of those who are truly grateful, and open our eyes to the blessings we have been given; may Allah also make our hardships easier to deal with.
“Say, [O Muhammad], to those who have believed that they [should] forgive those who do not believe in the coming days of Allah so that He may recompense the people for what they used to do.
Whoever does good will benefit himself, and whoever does evil harms himself: then you will all be returned to your Lord.” [45:14-15]
Some people commit so much evil in this world and we forget through our hurt and anger that they will inevitably return back to their creator. Let us forgive them, for our sakes more than their’s, as we firstly can never be 100% certain of the state in which we will pass onto the next life – whether in a state of disbelief or not.
The people committing evil now, may pass away in a better state than us and whoever passes in a state of evil, will surely be pay for every small thing they have done.
May Allah assist Islam and all the Muslims of the world.
Dua is a form of prayer and it could be made at any time and anywhere there is no fixed time and place of performing. It is considered as a weapon with the help of which we can change our situation by asking help from Allah. It is a form of maintenance for one’s soul.
However, even though it can be done at any time, there are times highlighted by hadith:
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?.”‘ [Bukhari]
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.'[Tirmidhi]
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]
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.’ [Tirmidhi]
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. [Bukhari]
5. While Drinking Zamzam Water
Jaber (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: ‘Zamzam water is for what it is drunk for.’ [Ahmad]. This means that when you drink Zamzam water you may ask Allah 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]
It is recommended by many scholars that dua made in prostration should be concentrated on one’s spiritual health and afterlife, rather than materialistic matters.
7. Before ending obligatory prayers: 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) [Tirmidhi] This time is after saying ‘At-tahyat’ , and before making Tasleem (finishing prayer).
8. 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.” [97: 3]
9. The One Who Is Suffering Injustice and Opression The 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)’ [Bukhari and Muslim]
The prophet (SAW) declared, ‘Three people 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.'[Tirmidhi]
10. 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. [Tirmidhi]
During travel supplication is heard by Allah if the trip is for a good reason, but if the trip is for a bad intention or to perform impermissible actions, this will not apply to it.
11. 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. [Tirmidhi]
12. 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]
13. Dua on the Day of Arafat
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘The best supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafat’. [Tirmidhi]
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 respond to the call of their Creator. During this auspicious day, Allah does not refuse the requests of His worshippers.
14. 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]
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]
Allah 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]
He is always listening. We must never assume that He isn’t simply because we think that our dua is not answered. Allah knows why we were not given something at a certain time and there is always good that comes from it – we must always be grateful for His blessings. We must not mistake not receiving something we asked for straight away with Allah ignoring us. He says in another ayah:
“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’ ” [14:7]
He did not mention specifically what He will increase His believers who are grateful, he simply says “la’azinakoum” which simply means “I will increase you”. It covers all blessings and provisions – if Allah said something particular then He would have limited it but He didn’t.
So let us make dua for good, for this world and more importantly our afterlife. Let us also not be put down if we are not given what we want. Allah knows more, and Allah knows best.
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