Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
Our respected Shaykh,
Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) often
encouraged the recitation of the following Dua, in these times of great Fitnah.
It is a beautiful Dua, attributed to Hazrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallahu anhu), whereby
we ask Allah Ta’ala to make apparent to us, what is Haq and Baatil, and grant
us the Taufeeq and ability to follow what is Haq and stay away and refrain from
whatever is Baatil. The Dua is as follows:
اَللّٰهُمَّ اَرِنَا الْحَقَّ حَقًّا وَّ ارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَهٗ وَ
اَرِنَا الْبَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا وَّ ارْزُقْنَا اجْتِنَابَهٗ
O Allah! Enable us to see the
Truth as Truth and give us the ability to follow it. And show us the falsehood
as false and give us the ability to refrain from it.
This Dua is a lesson for
the Ummah. It teaches the Ummah –
especially people like us, living in these times of great Fitnah, where for
many, Baatil is no longer regarded as Baatil and Haq is no longer regarded as
Haq.
Looking at these times,
we see people from all walks of life, research Islam, and come to conclusions
which are in conflict with what Islam truly is. We see Muslims who speak about
the need for Haraam to be Halaal, such as interest taking and giving. We see
Muslims, influenced by the different “isms”, misinterpret Islam, and clamour
for changes in Shari'ah, or call for a modern approach, living in modern times -
Na uzu Billahi min zaalik.
There is such an
onslaught of Baatil and so many, so many are caught up in that assault; in that
ambush.
In this Dua,
اَللّٰهُمَّ اَرِنَا الْحَقَّ حَقًّا وَّ ارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَهٗ
O Allah! Enable us to see the
Truth as Truth and give us the ability to follow it.
...we learn that knowing Haq
is not sufficient. …Because there are many who know Haq, but do not practice on
it.
Who does not know that
pornography is Haraam? Who does not know that adultery is Haraam? That to
gamble, take or give interest, miss Salaah, speak lies, commit fraud, etc. is
Haraam?
Generally, Muslims are acquainted with Halaal and Haraam. However, despite knowing, many of us do not practice. There is no Salaah, Zakaah, Fasting and other Deeni obligations being fulfilled.
Generally, Muslims are acquainted with Halaal and Haraam. However, despite knowing, many of us do not practice. There is no Salaah, Zakaah, Fasting and other Deeni obligations being fulfilled.
Accordingly, the Dua continues, asking for the Taufeeq of
Ittiba – the ability to practise on it; because Amal (practice) is necessary.
Thereafter, Dua is made:
وَ
اَرِنَا الْبَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا وَّ ارْزُقْنَا اجْتِنَابَه
And show us the falsehood as false
and give us the ability to refrain from it.
We are asking of Allah
Ta’ala, that He make known to us, make apparent to us, make clear to us, whatever is
Haraam, sinful, detested and disliked by Him.
Often, a person sees the
Haq as Baatil and vice versa. So Dua is made that we know what is Haq and what
is Baatil, without any confusion and
uncertainty, that we are easily able to differentiate between the two.
…Like a tsunami; sin and
falsehood are sweeping through the Muslim Ummah. All around us we find that
Baatil is widespread. It has become the norm; it is in vogue, and the majority
accepts it and engages in it. It is not even considered Haraam.
Take the example of
photography[1]
- the good and the bad, the ignorant and even the learned ones, are caught up
in this vice. No one really speaks out against it, and if a person does, he is
labeled as orthodox and out-dated.
The same with television[2] –
If someone has to advise against viewing television, not only will people
argue, they will present the “Fazaa`il” (virtues) of television – despite 80%
of those programmes being clearly immoral and Haraam. …But nafs and shaytaan
blind the person to Haraam and to the great harms, and the person sees only
benefit …
The sad condition and
plight of the Ummah is gauged when we see the extent of Baatil in our personal lives,
and we see how the culture and customs of the Kuffaar have become dominant and have
replaced practical implementation of Islam – and everyone is quite content and
comfortable living with that.
…When the Sahaba (Radhiyallahu 'Anhum) accepted Islam, despite the majority
of them coming out of Kufr and Shirk, there was no sign of Kufr in their lives
thereafter.
We were born and brought up in Islam. We have Islam, but
the culture of the Kuffaar is found in all dimensions of our lives – our homes,
our businesses, our Nikahs and Walimas, our dressing… Sometimes there is no
trace of Islam. …Inna Lillahi wa-inna ilayhi raji’oon.
In this Dua, the word
“warzuqna” is used.
My respected Shaykh,
Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) beautifully
explained that just as we search for our Rizq, we look forward to it, we enjoy
it – so Haq should become like our Rizq. …Like
how we seek sustenance, in the same way, we should seek good deeds – with
eagerness and enthusiasm.
From the early hours of
the morning, millions of people are on the move, traveling by car, bus, train,
plane – active in the effort of sustenance... and there seems to be no
satisfaction when it comes to wanting more and more of the material world. Even
if a person is multi-rich, we find the person is still seeking for more. There
is just no contentment even in sufficiency.
In this Dua, we are
asking that we are not content except
pursuing the Rizq of Haq, the Rizq of Ibaadah, the Rizq of Sawaab. Ittiba
of Haq must become our spiritual Rizq… and this Haq includes both the rights of
Allah Ta’ala and the rights of creation – of parents, of wife (or husband), of
children, neighbours, and others.
Furthermore, we all know
that we require food for our survival. …When a person has not eaten in many
days, his hearing is affected, his sight is affected, his speech is affected.
Weakness sets in. Similarly, without the
spiritual nourishment of Haq – knowing it and practicing on it, Imaan will
weaken and will deteriorate, on all fronts.
Added to this, the
Hadeeth informs us: “No soul will die
until it completes its sustenance.” - A person does not die until he has
eaten the last grain of food which is destined for him.
In a similar vein, we are
asking for Allah Ta’ala that Haq be the same to us, that we complete our lives on the Rizq of Haq, that our lives end on
Haq, on Imaan.
We are also asking for
Taufeeq to stay away from sin, with the same kind of happiness as when we seek
our Rizq; that we look forward to restraining
ourselves from all Haraam.
Just as a Muslim does not go out in search of pigs for his Rizq; rather he keeps clear of pigs and pork – so too, should he stay away from Baatil. Just as pigs are Haraam, so too is everything else that is classified as sin.
Unfortunately, we find that many seek out Haraam. They plan and make arrangements for indulgence in Haraam - going to the cinemas, casinos, visiting porn sites, taking and giving interest, etc. May Allah Ta’ala protect us all.
Just as a Muslim does not go out in search of pigs for his Rizq; rather he keeps clear of pigs and pork – so too, should he stay away from Baatil. Just as pigs are Haraam, so too is everything else that is classified as sin.
Unfortunately, we find that many seek out Haraam. They plan and make arrangements for indulgence in Haraam - going to the cinemas, casinos, visiting porn sites, taking and giving interest, etc. May Allah Ta’ala protect us all.
Both, abstinence from sins and doing good deeds must be as
we find our sustenance – enjoyable. This, in turn, will bring happiness and
Sukoon.
If this becomes the condition of a person: He pursues good
deeds with that kind of eagerness and abstains from sins, with that kind of
happiness, as sustenance is enjoyed, the person becomes a Waliullah (A Friend of Allah Ta'ala).
We should learn this Dua, teach it to others and frequently recite
it. May Allah Ta'ala grant us Taufeeq.
