Reflection on Surah Ash-Shams: Purification of soul

 

It is a short powerful Makkan Sūrah focused on the contrasting oaths, and the importance of the soul. The Sūrah teaches us that life is made up of opposites. These opposites include the straight path and the paths of misguidance. In Sūrah ash-Shams, Allah takes an oath on the sun and the moon, the day and the night, and the sky and the earth. These three sets of opposites lay the framework for the message of this Sūrah. Everything in this world has an opposite. The seventh oath is on the soul, which the message of the Sūrah revolves around. Sūrah ash-Shams end with an example of people who chose the path of misguidance.

وَالشَّمْسِ وَضُحَاهَا١وَالْقَمَرِ إِذَا تَلَاهَا٢وَالنَّهَارِ إِذَا جَلَّاهَا٣وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَاهَا٤وَالسَّمَاءِ وَمَا بَنَاهَا٥وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا طَحَاهَا٦وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا٧فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا٨قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا٩وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ دَسَّاهَا

1-By the sun and Duhaha.: Allah swears by the sun and its daytime, because the clear light of the sun is daytime.

The prophet (Pbuh) mentioened the Duha prayer and its virtues. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The prayer of those who are repentant (Awwabeen: persistent in praying Duha prayer habitually.) is observed when your weaned camels feel the heat of the sun.”  And The Prophet ﷺ said: “In the morning, every single joint of yours must pay a sadaqah (charity). Every SubhanAllah is a sadaqah, every Alhamdulillāh is a sadaqah, every La Ilaha Illa Allah is a sadaqah, every Allahu Akbar is a sadaqah, every commanding good is a sadaqah, and every forbidding evil is a sadaqah, and all this is accomplished through two rakʿahs one can pray in Duha [prayer].”

The time of Duha begins after the sun fully rises and it ends approximately 15 minutes before Dhuhr prayer. The most preferred time for Duha prayer is at the hottest part of the day, when the sun has reached its zenith (its highest point), and this is approximately halfway between sunrise and Dhuhr prayer.

 2- By the moon as it Talaha: as it Talaha (follows it)' is referring to the night of the Hilal (the new crescent moon). When the sun goes down, the Hilal is visible.''

3- By the day as it Jallaha: When it illuminates.'

4-By the night as it Yaghshaha: when it covers the sun, which takes place when sun disappears and the horizons become dark.

Night and day are an important creations that Allah Almighty made for people to benefit from. Allah  questioned on Quran:

قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ اللَّيْلَ سَرْمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَنْ إِلَٰهٌ غَيْرُ اللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُمْ بِضِيَاءٍ ۖ أَفَلَا تَسْمَعُونَ٧١قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ النَّهَارَ سَرْمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَنْ إِلَٰهٌ غَيْرُ اللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُمْ بِلَيْلٍ تَسْكُنُونَ فِيهِ ۖ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ٧٢وَمِنْ رَحْمَتِهِ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ لِتَسْكُنُوا فِيهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

Say: "Tell me! If Allah made the night continuous for you till the Day of Resurrection, which god besides Allah could bring you light Will you not then hear'' 72. Say: "Tell me! If Allah made the day continuous for you till the Day of Resurrection, which god besides Allah could bring you night wherein you rest Will you not then see'' 73. It is out of His mercy that He has made for you the night and the day that you may rest therein and that you may seek of His bounty -- and in order that you may be grateful. (Al-Qasas:72-73)

5- By the heaven and Ma Banaha: meaning "By the heaven and its construction.''

 6- By the earth and Ma Tahhaha. : Tahaha means He spread it out

7-By Nafs, and Ma Sawwaha (Who apportioned it): He created it sound and well-proportioned upon the correct nature (Al-Fitrah). This is as Allah says,

﴿فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفاً فِطْرَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِى فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لاَ تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ﴾

“So set you your face towards the religion, Hanif. Allah's Fitrah with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in the Khalqillah.” (AR-Room:30). The Messenger of Allah said:

كُلُّ مَوْلُودٍ يُولَدُ عَلى الْفِطْرَةِ فَأَبَوَاهُ يُهَوِّدَانِهِ أَوْ يُنَصِّرَانِهِ أَوْ يُمَجِّسَانِهِ، كَمَا تُولَدُ الْبَهِيمَةُ بَهِيمَةً جَمْعَاءَ، هَلْ تُحِسُّونَ فِيهَا مِنْ جَدْعَاءَ؟

“Every child that is born, is born upon the Fitrah, but his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Zoroastrian. This is just as the animal is born, complete with all of its parts. Do you notice any mutilation in it”. And in hadith Qudsi, Allah says:

يَقُولُ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: إِنِّي خَلَقْتُ عِبَادِي حُنَفَاءَ فَجَاءَتْهُمُ الشَّيَاطِينُ فَاجْتَالَتْهُمْ عَنْ دِينِهِم

“Allah the Mighty and Majestic says, "Verily I created My servants Hunafa' (as monotheists), but then the devils came to them and distracted them from their religion.''

Then Allah says:

8- Then He showed it its Fujur and its Taqwa: and inspired it with knowledge of what is wrong for it and what is right for it.

9- Indeed he succeeds who purifies it: This could mean that whoever purifies himself by obedience to Allah, then he will be successful.

10- And indeed he fails who Dassaha: This means that he makes it dull, and he disregards it by neglecting to allow it to receive guidance. He treats it in this manner until he performs acts of disobedience and he abandons obedience of Allah.

Allah swears by His Creation that the Person Who purifies Himself will be Successful and the Person Who corrupts Himself will fail.

"The Messenger of Allah used to stop whenever he recited this Ayah,

وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا - فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا

By Nafs, and Ma Sawwaha (Who apportioned it). Then He showed it its Fujur and its Taqwa.) Then he would say,

اللْهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا، أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلَاهَا، وَخَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا

“O Allah! Give my soul its good. You are its Guardian and Master, and the best to purify it.''

 Another Hadith Imam Ahmad recorded that Zayd bin Arqam said that the prophet (Pbuh) used to say:

اللْهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْز وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْهَرَمِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَعَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ. اللْهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا، وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا، أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلَاهَا. اللْهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لَا تَشْبَعُ، وَعِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ، وَدَعْوَةٍ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهَا

“O Allah! Verily, I seek refuge with You from weakness, laziness, senility (of old age), cowardliness, stinginess and the torment of the grave. O Allah! Give my soul its good and purify it, for You are the best to purify it. You are its Guardian and Master. O Allah! Verily, I seek refuge with You from a heart that is not humble, a soul that is not satisfied, knowledge that does not benefit and a supplication that is not answered.”  Zayd then said, "The Messenger of Allah used to teach us these (words) and we now teach them to you.''( Muslim )

The command to purify our hearts and soul from sins was an essential Islamic teaching ever since the early stages of the revelation in Mecca.

And Allah said:

يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ

“A day when there will be no benefit in wealth or children, but only in he who comes to Allah with a pure heart.” (Ash-Shu’ara:88-89).

We learn from these verses that our success in the Hereafter depends upon the purification of our hearts in this life. We must purify our hearts from spiritual sins such as greed, malice, envy, arrogance, and worldliness. In their place, we must adorn the heart with spiritual virtues such as generosity, compassion, benevolence, humility, and asceticism.

Purification of the heart was one of the first commands with which Moses, upon him be peace, was sent to Pharaoh.

Allah said:

اذْهَبْ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُ طَغَىٰ فَقُلْ هَل لَّكَ إِلَىٰ أَن تَزَكَّىٰ

“Go to Pharaoh, for verily, he is a transgressor. Say to him: Will you purify yourself?” (An-Nazi’at:17-18).

One of the primary methods we can use to purify our hearts is to perform sincere supplications and prayers according to the prophetic way (sunnah).

Allah said:

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلَّىٰ

“He has succeeded who purifies himself, who remembers the name of his Lord and prays.” (Al-A’la:14-15).

When we exalt Allah and ask for our sins to be forgiven, this removes arrogance from our hearts and makes us humble. When we pray for Allah to guide others, this removes malice and hatred from our hearts and makes us love others for the sake of Allah. When we remember the Hereafter and the Day of Resurrection, this makes us less attached to the world and more inclined to help others.

The ritual prayer is meant to prevent us from committing sins and immoral deeds.

Allah said:

إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ

“Verily, the prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater.” (Al-Ankabut:45).

The next method we can use to purify our hearts is to give in charity and perform good deeds for others.

Allah said:

وَسَيُجَنَّبُهَا الْأَتْقَى الَّذِي يُؤْتِي مَالَهُ يَتَزَكَّىٰ

“But the righteous one will avoid Hellfire, who gives from his wealth to purify himself.” (Al-Layl:17-18).

And Allah said:

خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ

“Take from their wealth a charity by which you cleanse them and purify them, and invoke blessings upon them.” (At-Tawbah:103).

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

كُلُّ مَعْرُوفٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَإِنَّ مِنْ الْمَعْرُوفِ أَنْ تَلْقَى أَخَاكَ بِوَجْهٍ طَلْقٍ وَأَنْ تُفْرِغَ مِنْ دَلْوِكَ فِي إِنَاءِ أَخِيكَ

“Every good deed is charity. Verily, it is a good deed to meet your brother with a smiling face, and to pour what is left from your bucket into the vessel of your brother.”

the salvation of a Muslim depends upon purification of the heart soul from vices and adorning the heart with virtues. Purification is achieved through performing sincere supplications, prayers, and acts of charity toward others. We must remember that we will be judged on the Day of Resurrection according to the purity of our hearts and the righteousness of our deeds.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَنْظُرُ إِلَى صُوَرِكُمْ وَأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى قُلُوبِكُمْ وَأَعْمَالِكُمْ

“Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and actions.”

Improving our character. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Nothing is heavier on the believer’s Scale on the Day of Judgment than good character” (Tirmidhi). From above saying we can conclude that on The Day of Judgment a person’s good character and pure heart will matter.

The end of the Surah, Allah talked about the people of Thamud and their disobedience and rebellion against their prophet.

كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ بِطَغْوَاهَا١١إِذِ انْبَعَثَ أَشْقَاهَا١٢فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ نَاقَةَ اللَّهِ وَسُقْيَاهَا١٣فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَعَقَرُوهَا فَدَمْدَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ بِذَنْبِهِمْ فَسَوَّاهَا١٤وَلَا يَخَافُ عُقْبَاهَا١٥

 11. Thamud denied through their trans- gression. 12. When their most wicked went forth. 13. But the Messenger of Allah said to them: "Be cautious! That is the she-camel of Allah! (Do not harm it) and (bar it not from having) its drink!'' 14. Then they denied him and they killed it. So their Lord destroyed them because of their sin, Fasawwaha (levelling all to the ground) 15. And He feared not the consequences thereof.

This is Muhammed (Peace and Blessing br Upon Him): Our Prophet, Our Honor

Among the blessing of Allah Almighty on us as Muslim is that he made us one of the followers of prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) Allah says:

لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللَّـهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا مِن قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ

 “Certainly did Allah confer [great] favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although they had been before in manifest error”(Al-Imran:164).

Among the greatest characteristics of our great Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) were his forbearance, deliberation and restraint in speech. Allah described him in the  Qur’an Saying :

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds." (Al-Anbiyaa:107).

Allah addresses His Messenger and reminds him and the believers of the favor that He has made his heart and words soft for his Ummah, those who follow his command and refrain from what he prohibits.

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّـهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّـهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ

“So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you”(Al-Imran:109)

The Messenger's compassion towards the believers was of the utmost degree. The Quran describes his compassion in the following verse, which means:

لَقَدْ جَاءكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

"There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you [i.e., your guidance] and to the believers is kind and merciful." (At-tawbah:128).

In Makkah, his people inflicted him with every kind of suffering, eventually forcing him to emigrate to Madinah, and then waged war against him, when he conquered Makkah without bloodshed in the twenty-first year of his Prophethood, he asked the disbelievers who were awaiting his decision about them: "How do you expect me to treat you?" They responded unanimously: "You are a noble one, the son of a noble one." He announced to them his decision: "You may go free! No reproach this day shall be on you; may God forgive you."

The prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) even refused to pray against the mushrikeen even though they deserved to be cursed. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “It was said: O Messenger of Allah pray against the mushrikeen! He said: “I was not sent as an invoker of curses, rather I was sent as a mercy.

He (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was kind and compassion toward the weak such as Woman, slaves, orphan and to children. He would take children in his arms and embraces them. He was once hugging his beloved grandsons, Hasan and Hussain, when Aqrah bin Haabis told him, 'I have got ten children. So far, I have not kissed any of them. The prophet (Pbuh) said: "What can I do for you if Allah has removed from you the feeling of compassion?" (At-Tirmidhi)

He (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was compassion in correcting the mistakes of others in kindness. Anas Ibn Malik,   said: "Whilst we were in the Mosque with the Messenger of Allah   a Bedouin came and stood urinating in the Mosque. The Companions of the Messenger of Allah   said, 'Stop it! Stop it!' and were about to attack him. But the Messenger of Allah   said, 'Do not interrupt him; leave him alone.' So they left him until he had finished urinating, then the Messenger of Allah   called him and said to him, 'In these Mosques it is not right to do anything like urinating or defecating; they are only for remembering Allah, praying and reading Qur'an,' or words to that effect. Then he commanded a man who was there to bring a bucket of water and throw it over the (urine), and he did so." (Muslim)

He was the best in character and He also said in one of His hadiths:

“God has sent me to perfect good manners and to do good deeds.” (Bukhari)

And Allah Almighty also described Him on the the Quran saying:

لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّـهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّـهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّـهَ كَثِيرًا

“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.” (Al-Ahzab:21)

Love and Obedience for the Prophet

 Allaah has told us that obedience to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is obedience to Allaah. Allaah says:

“He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad), has indeed obeyed Allaah, but he who turns away, then we have not sent you (O Muhammad) as a watcher over them” (al-Nisa’:80). 

Allaah has warned us against failing to obey him, and that this may lead a Muslim into a fitnah that is the fitnah of shirk. Allaah says:

And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad’s) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them” (Al-Noor 63)

Allaah has told us that the status of Prophethood which he gave to His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) requires the believers to respect and venerate Him. Allaah says:

إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا ﴿٨﴾ لِّتُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّـهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَتُعَزِّرُوهُ وَتُوَقِّرُوهُ وَتُسَبِّحُوهُ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا

“Verily, We have sent you (O Muhammad) as a witness, as a bearer of glad tidings, and as a warner.  In order that you (O mankind) may believe in Allaah and His Messenger, and that you assist and honor him, and (that you) glorify (Allah’s) praises morning and afternoon” (Al-Fath:8-9).

The Muslim’s faith cannot be complete unless he loves the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and until the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is dearer to him than his father, his son, his own self and all the people. It was narrated that Anas (RA) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No one of you truly believes until I am dearer to him than his father, his son, his own self and all the people.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 15; Muslim, 44). The companions of the prophets showed their love to prophet in many occasions. It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Hishaam said: We were with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when he was holding the hand of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab. ‘Umar said to him: “O Messenger of Allaah, you are dearer to me than everything except my own self.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No, by the One in Whose hand is my soul, not until I am dearer to you than your own self.” ‘Umar said to him: “Now, by Allaah, you are dearer to me than my own self.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Now (you are a true believer), O ‘Umar.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6257). An other occasion: It was narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “On the Day of Uhud some of the people fled and left the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), but Abu Talhah stood before him covering him with a shield. Abu Talhah was a powerful archer who broke two or three bows that day. When a man passed by carrying a quiver containing arrows, he would say: Give them to Abu Talhah. Whenever the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) raised his head to look at the people, Abu Talhah would say: O Prophet of Allaah, may my father and my mother be sacrificed for you, do not raise your head lest you be struck by an arrow shot by the enemy. My neck is before your neck.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3600; Muslim, 1811).

It was narrated that Anas said: I saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when the barber was cutting his hair and his companions were going around him wanting to ensure that his hair would fall only into someone’s hand. (Narrated by Muslim, 2325).  

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The reason why it is obligatory to love the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and venerate him more than any other person is that we cannot attain the greatest good in this world or in the Hereafter except at the hands of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), by believing in him and following him. That is because no one can be saved from the punishment of Allaah, and the mercy of Allaah cannot reach him except by means of the Prophet, by believing in him, loving him, being loyal to him and following him. This is the means by which Allaah will save him from punishment in this world and in the Hereafter. This is the means by which he will attain what is good in this world and in the Hereafter. The greatest blessing is the blessing of faith, which can only be attained through him, and which is more beneficial than his own self and his wealth. He is the one by means of whom Allaah brings people forth from darkness into light, and there is no other way to Allaah. (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 27/246). 

We should realize that Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) suffered trials and difficulties in order to bring Islam to us. We should remember that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was persecuted, hit, slandered and insulted; the closest people to him disowned him and accused him of being a madman, a liar and a sorcerer. He fought the people in order to protect the religion so that it could reach us; they fought him, expelled him from his people and homeland, and gathered armies against him.  

We should follow the example of his companions who loved him deeply. They loved him more than wealth and sons, and more than their own selves.

We should follow his Sunnah in word and deed, so that his Sunnah is the path we follow in our whole life, and we put his words before any other words and put his command before everything else.

Love of Prophet to His Ummah

The prophet ((peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) loved his ummah a great deal, and was very concerned about their salvation on the Day of Resurrection, hoping that Allaah would honour them with His Paradise. He would weep because of the depth of his fear for them and his compassion towards them. 

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) recited the verse about Ibraaheem (peace be upon him), “O my Lord! They have indeed led astray many among mankind. But whoso follows me, he verily, is of me” [Ibraaheem 14:36], and the verse in which ‘Eesa said, “If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily, You, only You, are the All‑Mighty, the All‑Wise” [al-Maa'idah 5:118]. Then he raised his hands and said: “O Allaah, my ummah, my ummah.” Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, said: “O Jibreel, go to Muhammad, although your Lord knows best, and ask him why he is weeping.” So Jibreel (peace be upon him) went to him and asked him, and the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told him what he said, although He knows best. Allaah said: “O Jibreel, go to Muhammad and say: “I will make you pleased concerning your ummah and not displeased.” Narrated by Muslim (202). 

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) prayed for all of his ummah, and he sought the help of Allaah, praying that He would make it a nation that would be honoured and shown mercy, until Allaah answered his prayer and said that half of the people of Paradise, or more, would be from his ummah, and they would be blessed with his intercession on the Day of Resurrection. 

One sign of his compassion and love towards his ummah was that he prayed for more blessing and goodness especially for those who believed in him and followed him without seeing him.  

It was narrated from Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Glad tidings to the one who believed in me and saw me, and sevenfold glad tidings to the one who believed in me but did not see me.” Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) gave glad tidings to the believers who came after him and did not see him, that they would see him at the Cistern (al-hawd).

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out to the graveyard and said: “Peace be upon the abode of believing people, and if Allaah wills we will join you soon. Would that I could see our brothers.” They said: Are we not your brothers, O Messenger of Allaah? He said: “You are my companions. Our brothers are those who have not come yet. I will reach the Cistern before them.” They said: O Messenger of Allaah, how will you recognize those of your ummah who came after you? He said: “Do you not see that if a man has a horse that has a white blaze and white feet among horses that are all black, will he not recognize his horse?” They said: Of course. He said: “They will come to me with bright faces and limbs (like the white markings of a horse) because of the traces of wudoo’, and I will reach the Cistern before them.” 

Whoever wants to attain this virtue must adhere to the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and adhere to his Sunnah, so that he may win his companionship in Paradise. 

The Prophet  said: Allah has given one Dua to every single prophet and every single messenger, that he has guaranteed that he will respond to. And every single prophet has used up this Dua for himself in this world, except for me. I have saved it and I have not used it and I will not use it in this life. I have kept it for my Ummah and I will use it for them on the day of judgement. And my Dua will be, "O Allah, forgive my entire Ummah."

Aisha once asked the Prophet Muhammadﷺ to make a dua (supplication) for her. He responded, "Oh Allah! Forgive Aisha's past and future transgressions, both those which are hidden and those which are apparent!" Elated, Aisha was overcome with joyous laughter. "Are you happy with my supplication [for you]?", the Messengerﷺ asked. "And why should I not be happy?”, she responded. "I swear by Allah, I make this supplication for my ummah (nation) in every prayer” the Messengerﷺ replied.

We ask Allaah to help us to love His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and to make him dearer to us than our children, parents, families and our own selves. 

 

 

Dua’a to say after prayer

What to say after completing the prayer

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ . (ثَلاثاً) اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلاَمُ، وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ، تَبَارَكْتَ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالإِكْرَامِ .

Astaghfirul-lah (three times) Allahumma antas-salam waminkas-salam, tabarakta ya thal-jalali wal-ikram.

Translation

I ask Allah for forgiveness.(three times) O Allah, You are As-Salam and from You is all peace, blessed are You, O Possessor of majesty and honour.’ AS-Salam: The One Who is free from all defects and deficiencies.

سبحان اللَّهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ. (ثلاثاً وثلاثين) لَا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُالْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ .

Subhanal-lah walhamdu lillah, wallahu akbar (thirty-three times). La ilaha illal-lahu wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahul-mulku walahul-hamd, wahuwa AAala kulli shayin qadeer.

Translation

How perfect Allah is, all praise is for Allah, and Allah is the greatest.’ (thirty-three times) None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner, to Him belongs all sovereignty and praise and He is over all things omnipotent.

قُلْ هُوَ اللهُ أَحَدٌ. اللهُ الصَّمَدُ. لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ. وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ. [ الإِخْـلاصْ ]

 قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّالْفَلَقِ. مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ. وَمِنْ شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ. وَمِنْ شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ. وَمِنْ شَرِّ حَاسِدٍإِذَا حَسَدَ [ الفَلَـقْ ]

 قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ. مَلِكِ النَّاسِ. إِلَهِ النَّاسِ. مِنْ شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ. الَّذِي يُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ. مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ [ الـنّاس ] (ثلاث مرات بعد صلاتي الفجروالمغرب. ومرة بعد الصلوات الأخرى)

Qul Huwa-llahu ‘Ahad\nAllahus-Samad\nLam Yalid Wa Lam Yulad\nWalam Yakul-La-Hu-Kufuwan ‘Ahad [Al-Ikhlas] 

Qul ‘A’udhu Bi-Rabbil-Falaq\nMin Sharri Ma Khalaq\nWa Min Sharri Ghasiqin ‘Idha Waqab\nWa Min Sharri-Naffathati Fil-‘Uqadi\nWa Min Sharri Hasidin ‘Idha Hasad [Al-Falaq] 

Qul ‘A’udhu Bi-Rabbin-Nas\nMalikin-Nas\nIlahin-Nas\nMin-Sharril-Waswasil-Khan-Nas\nAl-Ladhi Yuwas-wisu Fee Sudurin-Nas\nMina Al-Jinnati Wan-Nas [An-Nas]

Translation

Say : He is Allah,(the) One, Allahus-Samad ( The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks ). He begots not , nor was He begotten; And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him. [Al-Ikhlas] 

Say : I seek refuge with ( Allah ) the Lord of the daybreak, From the evil of what He has created; And from the evil of the darkening ( night ) as it comes with its darkness; ( or the moon as it sets or goes away ). And from the evil of the witchcrafts when they blow in the knots, And from the evil of the envier when he envies. [Al-Falaq] 

Say : I seek refuge with (Allah ) the lord of mankind, The king of mankind, The Ilah ( God ) of mankind, From the evil of the whisperer ( devi l who whispers evil in the hearts of men) , who withdraws ( from his whispering in one’s heart after one remembers Allah ), Who whispers in the breasts of mankind , Of jinns and men. [An-Nas]

 After morning and evening prayers, 3 times. After the other prayers 1 time.

اللَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لاَ تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلاَ نَوْمٌ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ مَن ذَاالَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلاَ يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلاَّ بِمَاشَاءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَلاَ يَؤُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

Allaahu laa 'ilaaha 'illaa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoom, laa ta'khuthuhu sinatun wa laa nawm, lahu maa fis-samaawaati wa maafil-'ardh, man thal-lathee yashfa'u 'indahu 'illaa bi'ithnih, ya'lamu maa bayna 'aydeehim wa maa khalfahum, wa laa yuheetoona bishay'im-min 'ilmihi 'illaa bimaa shaa'a, wasi'a kursiyyuhus-samaawaati wal'ardh, wa laa ya'ooduhu hifdhuhumaa, wa Huwal-'Aliyyul- 'Adheem.

Translation

Allah! There is none worthy of worship but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.