Author: askttravellers@gmail.com

  • A story of a sinner who caused drought in the time of Hazrat Musa

    A story of a sinner who caused drought in the time of Hazrat Musa A.S.

    Hazrat Musa A.S. and his people (Bani Isra’il) were wandering through the desert, and they had to face a severe drought. There was no water, no crops, no food. Everyone was suffering, and they came to the Prophet Musa A.S. for help. Hazrat Musa A.S. raised his hands to the heavens and requested Allah for rain. However, to their surprise, the drought became worsened, and there was no sign of clouds. It is a point to note that when a prophet asks, what happens? Allah answers. Hazrat Musa A.S. begged for rain; they were waiting for the clouds to come in and rain, but nothing.The prophet of Allah, who had the luxury of talking and directing to Allah, was just standing in a hot desert with his people, whose imans (إِيمَان) were just like wind. Imagine the pressure he was in. Talk about heat under the collar. So, Musa again started praying and said,

     “If for any reason my level had been alleviated, for the sake of the Final Messenger, Muhammad (SAW), you may provide shower on us!”

    Then Allah said:

    “O Musa! It is not that your levels had gone down! The reason for no rain is that amongst your people there is one person who is disobeying my commands for forty consecutive years. Tell him to get out from your gathering; it is for him I have terminated rainfall.”

    So, Musa turned to his people and said:

    “There is a person among us who has disobeyed Allah for forty years. Let him leave the congregation, and only then shall we be rescued from the drought.”

    Imagine being the man at that time. There were thousands and thousands of people and his pride was on stake and the embarrassment at that time. He realized that “Hey man I am the guilty one, I have to raise hands”. The man stood there, looking left and right. He was expecting someone else to come forward, but no one did. Sweat dripped from his brow when he realized that he was the one warned against by Allah. He knew that if he didn’t come forward, his people would die because of hunger.

    At that moment he had no one, except Allah. Tears rolled down from his cheeks and he prayed to Allah in heart,  “O Allah, have mercy on me!” He continued his invocation by saying, “Hide my faults, O Allah! Please pardon me, O Allah!”

    Musa was waiting for the man to come forward, but suddenly clouds appeared and rain started falling down. He was baffled. He asked from Allah:

    “O Allah, You blessed us with rain, even though the sinner did not come forward!”

    Allah said:

    “O Musa, I blessed all of Bani Isra’il with water for the repentance of that exact person.”

    Musa A.S. exclaimed, “Show him to me, O Allah!” He made this request because he wanted to know the identity of this blessed man. Allah replied:

    “O Musa, I covered his faults for forty years. Do you think that after his repentance I shall expose him?”

     

    Reference:

    Ibn Qudamah, a great Syrian scholar, narrates in his book Kitab al-Tawwabin. But it must be stated that the story in question is not rigorously authentic. It might be from historical Israelite narrations, which we are allowed to cite as long as they do not contradict our Shariah, as is the case here.

  • How big is God’s love for us?

    How big is God’s love for us?

    God do not love you?

    “I need some motivation, I am tired…….”

    A samurai and the love of his life had just gotten married and were traveling by boat to their honeymoon, when a huge storm hit. The samurai’s wife began to tremble with fear; there was no shore in sight and their boat looked like it would capsize at any moment. When she ran to find her husband, she found him peacefully looking out at the sea, as if the sun was out and the waves were calm. She ran up to him and yelled, “How can you be so calm when we are about to die! Do you not value your life?” When the samurai heard her say this, he pulled out his sword and put it to his wife’s neck. His wife started laughing. He said, “Why are you laughing? Are you not afraid?” She said, “Because I know you love me and would never hurt me.” The samurai smiled and said, “Well, I too am in the hands of the One who loves me, so how can I be afraid?”

    Sometimes we think too much; our anxiety and fear about the uncontrollable and unknown future drag us towards darkness and depression. God is All-Knowing and All-Loving. He loves us more than any living creature in this entire universe. So, how does He do anything that is harmful for us? When we try to realize that Allah/God loves us beyond what can be comprehended, our fear turns into faith and love. After all, Allah says in Al-Quran (39:63), “To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth.” When things do not go as planned, we should just surrender to God’s plan because God’s plans are always best and bigger than our small dreams. I don’t think that God made a mistake giving you the place that you are currently in. He chose it for you. Trust His plans and leave the rest to Him. He loves you, dear; whosoever you are, whatever sins you have committed, He loves you. So, just look up in the sky and say, “I love you too, my Lord; I love you too.” Everything will be fine.
    If you want to talk about anything, need any advice or motivation, just email me. ayhianali@gmail.com
  • Du’as for Palestine and Gaza

    Why is it important to make dua for Palastine?

    On the ninth of Dhul Hijjah (the 12th and last month of the lunar year), Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, explained the beautiful connection between the Muslims in the Uranah Valley of Mount Arafat during farewell pilgrimage. He analogized the Muslim Ummah with a single body. He said, “Muslims are like one body of a person; if the eye is sore, the whole body aches, and if the head aches, the whole body aches.” Therefore, we Muslims should feel the pain of our Palastine brothers and sisters, and we should help them beyond our limits. Making a dua from an attentive heart is also a sadqa and a way to help our Palestinians in this horrible situation.

    When to say a Dua for Palestine?

    Dua can be made at any time of the day. But we should remember that there are some times when Allah is Himself waiting to answer our prayers. They are:

    In the last third of the night, following the prescribed prayers, When rain falls  When prostrating and Du`a of one who is sick are times when Allah is near and waiting to answer our prayers.

    (References: Narrated by al-Bukhari, 1145, Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3499, Sahih al-Jami’ 3078, sahih Muslim 482, sahih Muslim 919)

    Make du’a from an attentive and pure heart

    It is aptly said that “pure heart is the greatest temple in the world”. It is very important to make dua from an attentive and pure heart. It is mentioned in Al-Tirmidhi 3479  Book 48, Hadith 110 that Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said “Call upon Allah while being certain of being answered, and know that Allah does not respond to a supplication from the heart of one heedless and occupied by play.” One should start dua by glorifying the Great Almighty Allah and do not hurry while making dua.

    3 Du’as for Palestine and Gaza

    Here are 3 du’as we can make for our Palastine brothers and sisters.

    1. Dua for patience an victory

    رَبَّنَآ أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًۭا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ

    “Our Lord! Shower us with perseverance, make our steps firm, and give us victory over the disbelieving people.”

    (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 250). When the faithful party, under the commandment of Hazrat Taloot, marched towards their enemies, who were very large in number, they recited this dua. This dua reminds us that Allah is always with us.

    قَالُواْ رَبَّنَآ أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا

    (they invoked: “Our Lord! Pour forth on us patience…”) meaning, send down patience on us from You.

    وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا

    (and set firm our feet) meaning, against the enemy and save us from running away and from feebleness,

    وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَـفِرِينَ

    (and make us victorious over the disbelieving people.)

    1. Dua for protection against the enemy

    رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةًۭ وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةًۭ وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ

    “Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.”

    (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 201) There is nothing better than to make dua of the victory of this world as well as the protection from Hellfire. The brutality and oppression of this world are nothing as compared to the immortal and beautiful life of Jannah.

    1. Dua to strengthen Trust in Allah

    حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ (سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ

    Allah is enough for me. There is no true god but Him, in Him I put my trust, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne.

    (Surah At-Tawbah, verse 129) It is narrated in Sunan Abi Dawud 5081 that Abu al-Darda’ said:

    if anyone says seven times morning and evening; “Allah sufficeth me: there is no god but He; on him is my trust- he, the Lord of the Throne (of glory) Supreme”, Allah will be sufficient for him against anything which grieves him, whether he is true or false in (repeating) them.

    Never lose hope

    Allah is always with us. He is the Creator and Master of this entire universe. He is the All Knowing. He knows that we are in great difficulty. He knows everything. He says in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 214 that Do you think you will be admitted into Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so ˹violently˺ shaken that ˹even˺ the Messenger and the believers with him cried out, “When will Allah’s help come?” Indeed, Allah’s help is ˹always˺ near.

    We are just tested:

    We are just tested, just like the nations before us. It is beautifully said that “You always are get tested the most before you progress to the next level” Narrated Khabbab bin Al-Arat:

    We complained to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) (of the persecution inflicted on us by the infidels) while he was sitting in the shade of the Ka`ba, leaning over his Burd (i.e. covering sheet). We said to him, “Would you seek help for us? Would you pray to Allah for us?” He said, “Among the nations before you a (believing) man would be put in a ditch that was dug for him, and a saw would be put over his head and he would be cut into two pieces; yet that (torture) would not make him give up his religion. His body would be combed with iron combs that would remove his flesh from the bones and nerves, yet that would not make him abandon his religion. By Allah, this religion (i.e. Islam) will prevail till a traveler from Sana (in Yemen) to Hadrarmaut will fear none but Allah, or a wolf as regards his sheep, but you (people) are hasty

    (Sahih al-Bukhari 3612) And Allah said:

    Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars. (29:1-3)

    The Battle of Al-Ahzab:

    The Companions experienced tremendous trials during the battle of Al-Ahzab (the Confederates). Allah said:

    When they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when the eyes grew wild and the hearts reached to the throats, and you were harboring doubts about Allah. There, the believers were tried and shaken with a mighty shaking. And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease (of doubts) said: “Allah and His Messenger promised us nothing but delusion!”) (33:10-12)

    The conversation between Heraclius and Abu Sufyan:

    When Heraclius asked Abu Sufyan, “Did you fight him (Prophet Muhammad)” He said, “Yes.” Heraclius said, “What was the outcome of warfare between you” Abu Sufyan said, “Sometimes we lose and sometimes he loses.” He said, “Such is the case with Prophets, they are tested, but the final victory is theirs.”

    Allah loves us more than our mothers. So, how can He leave us? How can He? He is with us. He is near. Victory is near.

     

  • Dua when leaving home

    Dua when leaving home 1

    بِسْمِ اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْـتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُـوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ.

    Translation

    In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no might nor power except with Allah.

    Transliteration

    Bismillāh, tawakkaltu `alallāh, lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh

     

    Dua when leaving home 2

    اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَضِلَّ أَوْ أُضَّلَّ أَوْ أَظْلِمَ أَوْ أُظْلَمَ أَوْ أَجْهَلَ أَوْ يُجْهَلَ عَلَىَّ

    Translation

    O Allah, I take refuge with You lest I should stray or be led astray, or slip or be tripped, or oppress or be oppressed, or behave foolishly or be treated foolishly.’ slip: i.e. to commit a sin unintentionally

    Transliteration

    Allahumma innee aAAoothu bika an adilla aw odal, aw azilla aw ozall, aw athlima aw othlam, aw ajhala aw yujhala AAalay.

     

     Benefits of reciting dua

    The benefits of reciting the dua are manifolds. Some of them are:

    • Guidance Seeking guidance while stepping out of the house invokes a divine navigation that guides the person through life’s complexities. It helps the person in making wise decisions and choosing the lucrative path.
    • Protection Reciting this dua acts as spiritual safeguard and provides special protection from physical and unseen harms. As a result, the person can remain safe from not only devilish things but also from the badness of this world.
    • Blessings Luck or blessings, whatever we call it, is very important in life. Praying this dua when exiting home opens the heart to attract positive vibes. This short act of just a few seconds facilitates a day dripping with goodness and success.

    Sources

    The Prophet (ﷺ) said: When a man goes out of his house and says: “In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah; there is no might and no power but in Allah,” the following will be said to him at that time: “You are guided, defended and protected.” The devils will go far from him and another devil will say: How can you deal with a man who has been guided, defended and protected?

    Sunan Abu Daawood 5095, book 43, Hadith 323

    • Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu’minin:

    The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) never went out of my house without raising his eye to the sky and saying: “O Allah! I seek refuge in Thee lest I stray or be led astray, or slip or made to slip, or cause injustice, or suffer injustice, or do wrong, or have wrong done to me.”

    Sunan Abu Daawood Vol 5, Hadith 5094

    Sunnah of leaving home

    Following are the Sunnah (practices of prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) of leaving home:

    1. Reciting the dua with good intentions
    2. Stepping out with the right foot first

    You can also check

    Dua for Palestine and Gaza

    Dua for rain

    Dua for exam success

    Dua for health recovery for someone

    Dua when someone dies

    Dua before sleeping

    Dua of laylatul qadr