Supplication for Guidance

Supplication for Guidance

Taqwa Saifulhaq

 Question: I love a girl very much, and I believe that I can't live without her. I always pray to Allāh that she'll be my future wife. Do you think that my prayers will be answered? It is not that I don't have Yaqeen (unswerving faith) in Allāh, but I heard that one’s spouse is decided even before one’s birth.Can supplication change one's soul mate? It may sound like a silly request, but this is a very serious matter to me.

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;

All the praise and Thanks is due to Allāh, the Lord of al-`ālameen. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam, is His Messenger

Your  question iss really an important question, since Qada’ (Divine Predetermination) is not so clear to many people.

Allāh Almighty created human beings and previously knows what is really good for each one of them. He is the Most Compassionate; He wants the best for all of His creatures.

When talking about qada' it's agreed upon among the Muslim scholars that it is divided into two kinds: the first one that is not to be changed at all. The second that is to be changed through supplication. And both are in Allāh's knowledge only.

So, it is clear that Du’a' (Supplication) can change, according to Allāh's will, what is already written for the human being. But it is quite important to understand that our choices are not always good ones. Some of our choices may lead us to a tragic end, although we think that they will make our lives happier. That's why we were taught by our Prophet, peace and blessings are upon him, to perform Istikharah (prayer and supplication for guidance in making a decision).

We need Allāh’s guidance all through our lives’ paths. When performing the Istikharah Prayer, we seek knowledge from the All-Knowing because we lack knowledge ourselves.

Allāh Almighty also opened another door of supplication for us in Solāt al-Hajāt (Prayer for need). He wants us to be as close to Him as possible; that's why He supplies us with one offer after another to let us feel His unlimited mercy and love.

I believe that your question have already been answered, but there is some advice I’d like to give you. You need to pray to Allāh to lead you to the right path that will not cause you any kind of harm or uneasiness. Pray for His guidance, because only He knows what is better for you. That's why you don't need to say that you “can't live without your beloved.” Just ask for Allāh’s guidance and leave it all to Him.

Allāh Almighty says: "Verily, the Abrar (pious and righteous) will be in Delight (Jannah).And verily; the Fujjar (the wicked, disbelievers, sinners and evildoers) will be in the blazing Fire (Hell)." [Al-Infitar, 82:13, 14]

Thus the believers must constantly supplicate to Allāh Almighty for his guidance to the straight path, righteous in our deeds and steadfast in Ad-Deen.

The Prophet, (Sallallāhu`alayhi wasallam) taught the ummmah to seek Allāh’s forgiveness, guidance, steadfast and hasanah. ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (radiyallāhu’anhu) said: We counted Messenger's saying a hundred times during one single sitting: ‘Rabb ighfir li wa tubb `alayya innaka antat-tawwābul ghafūrur-raheem’ (O Allāh, forgive me and accept my repentance, for You are the Accepter of Repentance, Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful). [Recorded by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidzi].

‘Abdullah bin `Amr (radiyallāhu`anhu) narrated that Abu Bakar As-Siddiq (radiyallāhu`anhu) reported: I requested the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) to teach me a supplication which I could recite in my Solāh. Thereupon he said: “Recite, ‘Allāhumma inni dzalamtu nafsi zulman kathira, Wa la yaghfirudz-dzunuba illa Anta, Faghfir li maghfiratan min `indika, warhamni, Innaka Antal-Ghafūr-ur-Raheem(O Allāh! I have considerably wronged myself. There is none to forgive the sins but You. So grant me pardon and have mercy on me. You are the Most Forgiving, the Most Compassionate).”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

It was narrated that the Prophet (Sallallāhu`alayhi wasallam) said to a man (one of the Sahabah): “What do you say when you prayer (Du’a after the Tashahhud)?” He said: “I recite the Tashahhud, then I say:  “Allāhumma inni as alukal-Jannah wa a`udzu bika minan-nār” (O Allāh, I ask You for Paradise and seek refuge in You from the Fire).I cannot murmur like you and like Mu‘adz.” Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu`alayhi wasallam) said: “It is about them that we were murmuring.” [Narrated by Abu Dawud, 792: sahih]

‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud (radiyallāhu‘anhu) reported that the Prophet (Sallallāhu`alayhi wasallam) used to say: "Allāhumma inni as `alukal-huda wat-tuqa wal-`afafa wal-gheena (O Allāh! I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity and self-sufficiency)". [Recorded by Muslim].

Guidance here means guidance at every turn of life and steadfastness on the path of truth. Fear of Allāh is the greatest means of piety and strongest defense against sins. Chastity is the state of being free from what is unlawful. Self-sufficiency is the antonym of poverty and here it means the self-contentment. What it implies is that one should not care for what people possess. In view of all these qualities, the do’a of the Prophet (Sallallāhu`alayhi wasallam) mentioned in this Hadith is very comprehensive and valuable.

Anas Ibn Mālik (radiyallāhu’anhu) who said: “The supplication most often recited by Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu`alayhi wasallam): Rabbana-ātina-fid-dunya hasanah, Wa fil-ākhirati-hasanah, Wa-qina-`ādzabānnār-nār (O Lord! Bestow upon us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the punishment of the Fire).’” (Al-Baqārah 2:201) [This is recorded by Al-Bukhāri, Muslim, and Tarmidzi]. Tarmidzi (rahimullāh) said: “Hasanah is very comprehensive and includes in all kinds of good and benefits of this world and of the Hereafter. Good health, wealth and satisfaction of the world and good status in Jannah, forgiveness from sins and Allāh’s bounties and favours in both worlds are included in this duā’” [Recorded in Jāmi’ At-Tarmidzi]

Ibn Abi Hatim and Ibn Jarir recorded that Umm Salamah (radiyallāhu`anha), said that the Prophet (Sallallāhu`alayhi wasallam) used to supplicate: ‘Ya muqallibal-qulubi, thabbit qalbi `ala deenik (O Controller of the hearts make my heart steadfast in Your religion).”Rasulullah (Sallallāhu`alayhi wasallam) then recited: Rabbana la tuzia’qulubana ba’ daiz hadaitana wahab Lana min laduñ karahmah; Iñnaka an tal wahhāb. (Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after Thou have guided us, and grant us mercy from Thou. Truly, Thou are the Bestower.) (Al-`Imran, 3:8) [This is recorded by Muslim and At-Tirmidzi]

Abu Mūsa Al-Ash’ari (radiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said to me, “Shall I not guide you to a treasure from the treasures of Jannah?'' I said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allāh!'' Thereupon he (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: (Recite) ‘Lā hawla wa lā quwwata illa billāhil [‘aly-yul ‘Azeem]’ (There is neither change of any condition nor power except by Allāh [the Most High, the Most Magnificent]).'' [This is recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 And Allāh Almighty Knows best.