Supplications for Allah’s Forgiveness

Duā’ Seeking Allāh’s Forgiveness and Mercy

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

All the praise and Thanks are due to Allāh, the Lord of the al-ā’lamīn. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam, is His Messenger.

Without Allāh Forgiveness and Mercy man would be a complete loser,  in the Hereafter. Allāh is the All-Forgiving and Most Merciful.  Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam sought Allah’s Forgiveness and Mercy every day. Seeking for forgiveness is a general type of dzikir which a person should be saying all the time and it does not matter what the person chooses for himself of what he thinks is appropriate for praying for forgiveness and hoping for forgiveness from his Lord, even if it is not narrated in hadiths. But, it is better to recite from the Sunnāh as it is more than sufficient

Allāh, the Exalted, says:

• "And ask forgiveness for your sin...'' [Muhammad, 47:19]
• "And seek the forgiveness of Allāh. Certainly, Allāh is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'' [An-Nisā’ 4:106]
• "And declare the freedom of your Rabb from imperfection beginning with His praise, and ask His forgiveness. Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and Who forgives.'' [Al-Nasr, 110:3]
• "For Al-Muttaqun (the pious) there are Gardens (Jannah) with their Rabb, underneath which rivers flow. Therein (is the) eternal (home) and Azwajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives). And Allāh will be pleased with them. And Allāh is All-Seer of the (His) slaves. Those who say: `Our Rabb! We have indeed believed, so forgive us our sins and save us from the punishment of the Fire. (They are) those who are patient, those who are true (in Faith, words, and deeds), and obedient with sincere devotion in worship to Allāh. Those who spend (give the Zakat and alms in the way of Allāh) and those who pray and beg Allāh’s Pardon in the last hours of the night.'' [Al-‘Imran, 3:15-17]
• "And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allāh’s forgiveness, he will find Allāh Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'' [An-Nisā’, 4:110]
• "And Allāh would not punish them while you (Muhammad (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) are amongst them, nor will He punish them while they seek (Allāh’s) forgiveness.'' [Al-Anfal, 8:33]
•  "And those who, when they have committed Fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allāh and ask forgiveness for their sins; - and none can forgive sins but Allāh - and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know.'' [Al-‘Imran, 3:135] 

 

Al-Nu’man ibn Bashīr (radiallāhu`anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: “Duā’ is worship.” Then he (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) recited: “And your Lord said: Invoke Me I will respond to your (invocation). Verily, those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!” (Ghafir, 40:60). [At-Tirmidzi (3372)]

Following are some of the comprehensive duā’s from Al-Qurān and Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam). The Messenger of Allah (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) said “O people repent to Allah and ask Him for forgiveness, for I repent to Allah and ask Him for forgiveness one hundred times a day” [Ahmad (17829)]

1. Ibn Mas`ud (radiallāhu`anhu) said: The Messenger of Allāh  (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "He who says: `Astaghfir ullāh-[al ‘adzīm], alladzi la ilaha illa Huwal-Haiyul-Qayyumu, wa atubu ilaih (I seek the forgiveness of Allāh , [devoid of imperfection], with whose Name there is no true god except Allāh , the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting, and I turn to Him in repentance),' his sins will be forgiven even if he should have run away from the battlefield (while he was engaged in fighting for the Cause of Allāh ).'' [Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidzi and Al-Hakim (on conditions of Al-Bukhari and Muslim for accepting Hadith. Thawban (radiallāhu`anhu) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) finished his Salat, he would seek forgiveness three times [by saying, `Astaghfirullāh' (3 times)] and then he would say: "Allāhumma Antas-Salāmu, wa minkas-Salāmu, tabarakta Ya Dzal-Jalali wal-Ikram. (O Allah! You are the Bestower of security and security comes from You; Blessed are You. O Possessor of glory and honour).'' Imam Al-Awza`i (one of the sub-narrators) of this Hadith was asked: "How forgiveness should be sought?'' He replied: "I say: Astaghfirullāh, Astaghfirullāh (I seek forgiveness from Allah. I seek forgiveness from Allah).'' [Muslim]. 

2. “Rabbanâ dzolamnâ anfusanâ wain lam taghfir lanâ lanaku nanna minal khāsirīn. (Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.)" [Al-`Araf, 7:23]

3.A‘aishah (radiallāhu`anha) reported: The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to recite frequently in his Ruku’ and Sujud: "Subhanāk-Allāhumma, Rabbana wa bihamdika.  Allāhum-maghfir li” (O Allāh! You are free from imperfection and I begin with praising You. Forgive my sins). [Al-Bukhāri and Muslim] The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “The closest that a person is to his Lord is when he is sujūd, so say a great deal of duā’ then.” [Narrated by Muslim, 482]

3. Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (radiallahu’anhu) reported, who said:  “ In one of the sitting of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) we could count he said a hundred times, before he would get up [saying]: ‘Rabb ighfir li wa tubb ‘alayya innaka antal-tawwābur-rahīm (O Allah, forgive me and accept my repentance, for You are the Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful)’” [Abu Dawud (1516) and At-Tirmidzi (3434) and others: Sahih]

 

3.1 Rabbij’alni muqimassalāti wamin zurritati, rabbana wataqabbal du ‘ā. Rabbanagh firli waliwallidaiya walilmu’mini nayau ma yaqu mulhisâb. (My Lord, make me an establisher of solat, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents, and (all) the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established.)" [Ibrahim, 14:40-41]

 3.2 Allāhummaghfirlana zunubanâ waliwalidaina warhamhum Kama Rabbawna singhara, wali Jami ‘il Mu’minina wal Mu’minati wal Muslimina wal Muslimati al ahya iminhum wal amwāt. Birahmatika Ya arhamar rāhimīn. (Oh Allah, Forgive us our sins, both of our parents, bless them as they protected us since childhood, same goes for all Muslimin, Muslimat, Mukminin, Mukminat  that are alive and died by your Grace, O Allah,  Lord the Most Merciful and Most Compassionate.)

4. The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) taught Abu Bakar As-Siddiq (radiallāhu`anhu) a Duā’ Seeking Allāh’s Forgiveness and Mercy to be Recited in the Solāh (after the Tashahhud):“Allāhummainni zalam tunafsi zulmankathīran (O Allāh, I have wronged myself greatly,) Wala yaghfirul dzunubailla anta,(And only You who could forgive.) Faghfirli maghfiratan min ‘indika warhamni,(Grant me forgiveness and have mercy on me,)Innaka antal-Ghafur ar-Rahīm(For you are the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful)” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]

5. The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) has taught us the best wording of all for praying for forgiveness: It was narrated from Shaddad Ibn ‘Aus (radiallāhu’anhu) from the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam): “The best of prayers for forgiveness is:  ‘Allāhumma anta rabbi lā ilāha illa anta, (O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no god but You.) Khalaqtani waana ‘abduka waana ‘ala ‘ahdika wawa’dika mastata’tu. (You have created me and I am Your slave and I am keeping my promise and covenant to You as much as I can.)A’udzu bika min sharri ma sana’tu, (I seek refuge with You from the evil of what I do.)Abu ’ulaka bini’matika ‘alaiya wa abu’ulaka bidzanbi, (I acknowledge Your blessing and I acknowledge my sin,) Faghfir li fainnahu lāyaghfiral-dzunuba illa anta. (So forgive me, for there is none who can forgive sin except You).”

He (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever says this during the day, believing in it firmly, and dies on that day before evening comes, he will be one of the people of Paradise, and whoever says it at night, believing firmly in it, and dies before morning comes, he will be one of the people of Paradise.”[Narrated by al-Bukhāri (6306)]

6. Ibn `Abbas (radiallāhu`anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate:  "Allāhumma laka aslamtu, wa bika amantu, wa `alaika tawakkaltu (O Allah! To You I submit, Unto You I affirm my faith, in You I repose my trust)Wa ilaika anabtu, wa bika khasamtu, wa ilaika hakamtu. (Unto You I turn in repentance and with Your Help I contend my adversaries and from You I seek judgement.)Faghfir li ma qaddamtu, wa ma akh-khartu, wa ma asrartu wa ma a`lantu, (O Allah! Grant me forgiveness for the faults which I made in past and those ones I may commit in the future those which I committed secretly or openly)Antal-Muqaddimu, wa Antal-Mu`akhkhiru, (You Alone send whomever You will to Jannah, and You Alone send whomever You will to Hell-fire.)Lā ilāha illa Anta. Lā hawla wa la quwwata illa billāh (There is none worthy of worship except You. There is no strength to resist evil and no power to do good except through Allāh).'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] 

6.1.`Abdullah bin Mas`ud (radiallahu’anhu) reported: The Prophet (sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate:"Allahumma inni as'alukal-hudâ, wat-tuqâ, wal-`afâfa wal-ghina” (O Allah! I beseech You for Guidance, Piety, Chastity and Contentment).''[Muslim] Mu’adz bin Jabal (radiallahu’anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) once held him by the hand and said: “O Mu’adz! I swear by Allāh that I love you. I advise you not to miss supplicating after every solah saying: ‘Allāhumma a ‘inni `alā dzikrika, wa shukrika, wa husni   ‘ibadatika.’(O Allāh! Assist me in mentioning You, expressing gratitude to You, and worshiping You in the finest manner).”[Abu Dawud; An-Nasa'ie]

7. Rabbanā innna samia’na munadīyan yuna dī lil imâna in āminu birabbikum fa âmannâ., Our Lord! Verily, we have heard the call of one (Muhammad s.a.w) calling to Faith: 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed’.Rabbana faghfirlana zunubana wakaffir ‘anna sayyiatina watawaffana ma’al abrâr. Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and remit from us our evil deeds, and make us die in the state of righteousness along with Al-Abrar (those who are obedient to Allah and follow strictly His Orders). Rabbana ma waatina ma wa’attana ‘ala rusulika wala tuhzina yawmal qiyâmah, Innakalâ tuhlifulmî’ād  (Our Lord! Grant us what You promised unto us through Your Messengers and disgrace us not on the Day of Resurrection, for You never break (Your) Promise.)[Al-‘Imran, 3:193-194]

7.1"Rabbana lā tuâkhizna innasīna awahtha’na; (Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred).Rabbana walatahmil a’laina isrankama hamaltaltahu a’lalazi namin qablina; Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden likes that which You laid upon those before us. Rabbana walatuhammilna ma lataqata lanâbih, wa’fu’annā wa’firlanā warhamnā, antamawlâna fansurna ‘alalqawmil kâfirīn” Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear, And pardon us; and forgive us and have mercy upon us.  You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.) [Al-Baqarah, 2:286]

7.2. Rasulullah (sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said to a man: “What do you say when you pray?” He said: “I recite the Tashahhud, then I say:  “Allāhumma inni as’aluka[ ridha kawal]-jannah wa a’udzu bika minan-nār” (O Allāh, I ask You for [redha and] Paradise and seek refuge in You from the Fire).but cannot murmur like you and like Mu’adz.” The Prophet (sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “It is about them that we were murmuring.” [Narrated by Abu Dawud, 792: sahih] 

7.3 It was narrated that Anas bin Mālik (radiallāhu`anhu) said: The Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa Sallam) said:  “Whoever asks Allāh for Paradise, “Allāhumma inni as’aluka [ridha ka w] al-jannah”, (O Allāh, I ask Your redha and Paradise) - Three times, Paradise will say, ‘O Allāh, admit him to Paradise. ’Whoever seeks protection from the Fire, “Allāhumma ajirni minan-nār” (O Allāh, protect me from the Fire) three times, Hell will say, ‘O Allāh, protect him from the Fire.’” [Narrated by al-Tirmidzi, 2572; Ibn Majah, 4340: sahih].

7.4 ‘Aishah (radiallahu ‘anha) reported that she asked Allah’s Messenger (sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam), “O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Lailatul-Qadar, what should I say during it?” And he instructed her to say ‘Allāhumma innaka ‘afuw wun karim tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘añna, [Wa ‘an walidina wa ‘an jami‘il Muslimina wal muslimat Mu’minina wal Mu’minât, Al ahyâ iminhum wal amwāt]. Birahmatika Ya arhamar rāhimīn.].  (O Allah! Thou are forgiving, and Thou love forgiveness. So forgive us, and our parents, Muslim and Muslimat, [Mu’minin and Mu’minat, dead and alive with Thou mercy] Thou are most Gracious and the Merciful]). [Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Mājah, and At-Tirmidzi]

8."Rabbana ātina min ladunka rahmah wahaiyi’lana amrîna rasyada” (Our Lord! Bestow on us Mercy from Yourself, and Facilitate for us our affair in the Right Way!) [Al-Kahfi, 18:10] 

8.1 Rabbana hablana min azwajina wa zurriyyatina qurrata ‘āyunn, waja‘ālna lilmuttaqī naimama (Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.) [Al-Furqān, 25:74]

8.2  Anas ibn Mālik (radiallahu’anhu) who said, “The supplication most often recited by the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam):  ‘Allāhumma âtina fid duñya Hasanah, wa fil âkhirati Hasanah, wa qina `âdzābânnâr (O Our Rabb! 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-Baqarah 2:201)  [Al-Bukhāri, Muslim, Tarmidzi] This duā’ includes all the goodness in Dunya, Hereafter and forgiveness from punishment of fire. Imām 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 Allah’s bounties and favours in both worlds are included in this duā’” [Jāmi’ At-Tarmidzi]

Wallahu’alam

The Tashahhud of a Two-Raka’at Solāt

What is to be recited in the Tashahhud of a Two-Raka’at Solāt? 

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

All the praise and Thanks are due to Allāh, the Lord of the al-ā’lamīn. There is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam, is His Messenger.

A question was asked: What should the worshiper say in the Tashahhud of a two raka’at solāt? Should he say the first or the second, or both of them together, and with which one should he start?

The Messenger (sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) had commanded upon us to perform the solāt as he had performed it. The Prophet (sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: “Pray as you have seen me praying.” [Narrated by al-Bukhāri (631)] Thus we must pay attention in perfecting our solāt according to his Sunnah. 

1. The Tashahhud 

In a two raka’at solat the Tashahhud is recited its final sitting, and that Tashahhud is the final tashahhud.It is a Sunnah to sit in the form of tawarruk [as in the diagram].

It is known as Tashahhud because it includes the Shahadah.

Ibn Hajar Asqalani in his Fathul Bari recorded that Ibn Masud (radiallāhu 'anhu) said, “It is incumbent in Solāt to say Tashahhud, then say Salawat upon the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) followed by do’a for himself”. Imām Shafie, Ahmad and some Maliki scholars concurred with it. 

There are various versions of the tashahhud reported in sahih ahadith.

A. The tashahhud  as reported by Ibn 'Abbās (radiallāhu`anhu):

"The Messenger of Allāh (sallallāhu `alaihi wa sallam) used to teach us the tashahhud the way he taught us [Surahs of] the Qur'an; he used to say:

“At-tahiyyatul mubarakatus-salawātut-taiyibātu lillah. As-salāmu ‘alaika aiyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuh. As-salāmu‘alaina wa ‘alā ‘ibadillāhis-sālihīn. Ash-haduan lāilāha illallāh waash-haduanna Muhammadan Rasūlullah [in one narration: ‘abduhu wa rasūluh]”

(All compliments, blessed words, prayers, pure words are due to Allāh. Peace be on you, O Prophet, and also the mercy of Allāh and His blessings. Peace be on us and on the righteous slaves of Allāh. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allāh, and [I bear witness] that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allāh (in one narration: ... is His slave and messenger).)

[Muslim, Abu ‘Awanah, Shafi’ie and Nasa’ie]

B. Another is the one reported by Abdullah Ibn Mas`ūd (radiallāhu`anhu):

“At-Tahiyyātulillāhi was-salawātu wal-taiyibāt. As-Salāmu ‘alaika aiyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuh. Al-Salāmu ‘alaina wa ‘ala ‘ibād-illāh il-sālihīn. Ash-hadu an lā ilāha ill-Allāh wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasūluh”

(All compliments, salāh and pure words are due to Allāh. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allāh and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allāh. I bear witness that there is no god except Allāh and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger).

[Al-Bukhāri, 831; Muslim, 402]

2. After Tashahhud one should send blessings (salawāt) upon the Prophet (sallallāhu `alaihi wa sallam). 

A. Recites the salawāt as reported related by Abu Mas`ud al-Ansari (radiallāhu`anhu):

Abdullah bin Zaid - one who was shown the azan (the call for prayer) in a dream - narrated it on the authority of Mas'ud al-Ansari who said: We were sitting in the company of Sa'ad bin 'Ubadah when the Messenger of Allāh (sallallāhu `alaihi wa sallam) came to us. Bashir bin Sa’ad enquired [from the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam]: Allāh has commanded us to bless you [re: al-Ahzab, 33:56], O Messenger of Allāh! But how should we do it? He (the narrator [Mas’ud al-Ansari]) said: The Messenger of Allāh (sallallāhu `alaihi wa sallam) kept quiet (and we were so much perturbed over his silence) that we wished we had not asked him. The Messenger of Allāh (sallallāhu `alaihi wa sallam) then said: 

“(For blessing me) say: 

Allāhumma salli ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala Ali Muhammad, kamā sallayta ‘ala* āli Ibrāhīm, Wa bārik ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala āli Muhammad kama bārakta ‘ala * āli Ibrāhīm, fil-‘ālamīn; Innaka Hamīdun Majīd.

(0 Allāh! Send Prayers upon Muhammad and the members of his household as You Sent Prayers upon * the members of Ibrahim's household.  And Send Blessings to Muhammad and the members of his household as You  Granted Blessings upon * the members of the household of Ibrahim, among all the nations’ Verily You are Most Praiseworthy, Full of Glory)”,

“And the Salutation [i.e As-salāmu ‘alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allāhi wa barakātuh] as you about knows it.”

[Muslim (803); Abu Dawud, Book on Blessings on the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) after Tashahhud (976: from Ka’ab bin Ujrah; 980: from Abu Mas`ud Al-Ansari uses the phrase “‘ala āli Ibrāhīm, fil-‘ālamīn; Innaka Hamīdun Majīd”); At-Tirmidzi (3220) - includes Fil’ālamīn, add: [Ibrāhīm wa ala*]; Al-Nasā’ie.]

B. Or one may recites the salawāt that was reported by Abu Humaid as-Sa'idi (radiallāhu`anhu).

Abu Humaid as-Sa'idi (radiallāhu`anhu) reported: They (the Companions of Prophet (sallallāhu `alaihi wa sallam)) said: Apostle of Allāh, how should we bless you? [Re: Al-Ahzāb, 33:56] He (the Holy Prophet) observed: Say: 

‘Allāhumma salli `ala Muhammad, wa azwajihi wa dzurriyyatihi, kama sallayta `ala [āli] Ibrāhīm;  Wa barik `ala Muhammad, wa `ala azwajihi wa dzurriyyatihi,kama bārakta `ala [ali] Ibrāhīm, Innaka Hamidum-Majīd’

"O Allāh! Bless Muhammad, [and] his wives and his offspring as Thou blessed [the family of*] Ibrahim, And Grant Favours to Muhammad, and his wives and his offspring as Thou Granted Favours to the family of Ibrahim; Thou art Praiseworthy and Glorious."

[Muslim (0807);Abu Dawud (979); Ahmad and Tahawi: Sahih; reported that the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) used to recite this salawat after the Tashahhud -it uses the phrase “Wa `ala ahli bait, wa`ala azwajihi wa dzurriyyatihi, `ala āli Ibrāhīm”; The phrase” Innaka Hamīdun Majīd” are mentioned twice, and without the phrase of “fil’ālamīn”]

The Hanafis and the Malikis views it is not obligatory to recite the Salawāt [Naylul Awtar 2/288], while the Hanbalis view it is obligatory [Al-Mughni 1/54]. On the other hand Imam Shafie considered the Tashahhud as obligatory whereas the salawāt as a Sunnah. [Al-Umm pg.92]

Even though the fuqaha’ differs in their opinion being obligatory or not one should grab the opportunity of multiplying one’s rewards of sending the salawāt upon the Prophet (sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam)

3. Then one may recite the Duā’s: As indicated in sahih ahadith it is a Sunnah to recite dua’s after reciting the final tashahhud and Salawat Ibrahimmiyah.

The Obligation to Seek Refuge from Four Things before Supplicating

The Prophet (sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to say, "When one of you has finished the [last] tashahhud, he should seek refuge with Allāh from four things; [saying:

“Allāhumma inni a`uzubika min`azabi jahannam, wamin’azabilqabr, wamin fitnatil mahya wal-mamat,

Wamin syarri [fitnati] al masihid dajjal”

(O Allāh! I truly seek refuge with You] from the punishment of Hellfire, and from the punishment of the grave, and from the trials of living and dying, and from the evil [trials] of the False Christ)

Then he should supplicate for himself with what occurs to him." [257] - "He (sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) would supplicate with it in his own tashahhud." [258]

Also, "he (sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to teach the Companions (radiallāhu 'anhum) this the way he taught them Surahs of the Qurān." [259]

Various types of Supplication before the Salam

He (sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to use different supplications in his prayer [260], supplicating with different ones at different times; he also endorsed other supplications, and "ordered the worshipper to select of them what he wishes." [261] They are:

1. “Allāhumma inni a`uzubikamin’adzābiilqabr, wa a`udzubika min fitnatilmasihiddajjal,

Waminfitnatil mahya wal-mamat, Allāhumma inni a `u zubika minal ma 'uthami wal maghram”.

"O Allāh! Truly I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave, and I seek refuge with you from the trials of the False Christ, and I seek refuge with You from the trials of living and dying.

O Allāh! Truly I seek refuge with You from sin [262] and burden [263] ." [264]

2. "Allāhumma inni a`uzubikamin syarrima`amiltu, waminsyarri lam `amal [ba’du]"

"O Allāh! truly I seek refuge with You from the evil of what I have done, and from the evil of what I have not done [265] [yet]. [266]

3. “Allāhumma hasibni hissaban Yasiyra”

(O Allāh! Call me to account with an easy reckoning.) [267]

4. “Allāhumma bi`ielmikalngaib,waqudratika`aliyalkhalqi,ahyiniy ma`alimtalhayatakairannli, watawaffanai izakanatilwafatu khairanliy,

Allāhumma waasaluka fialazngaibi wasshahadah, waasaluka kalimatalhaq [hukmi], wal`adlafingadabiwarrado, waasalukalqasdadafiyalfaqriwalngina, waasaaluka naie’man layabidu, waasalukaqurata ie’nin [latanfazu, wa] latanng-qatie’, waas alukarradoo’, waasaluka bardal `aiesyiba’dalmauut, waasalukalazzatannazhiriila wajhika,wa [ asaluka] syawqailaliqaika, fingairidorrain madhirrah, walafitnatinmudhillah,

Allāhumma zaiyanna bizi natiliman, waj `alna hudan muhtadeen”

(O Allāh! [I ask you], by Your knowledge of the Unseen, and Your control over the creation: give me life as long as You know that life is best for me, and take me when death is best for me.

O Allāh! I also ask of You fear of You, in secret and in open; I ask of You the word of Truth (in one narration: Wisdom) and justice in anger and in pleasure; I ask of You moderation in poverty and affluence; I ask of You joy which does not fade; I ask of You pleasure [which does not pass away, nor that] which ceases; I ask of You contentment with Your decree; I ask of You coolness of life after death; I ask of You the delight of looking towards Your Face; and [I ask of You] eagerness towards meeting You, not in harmful adversity, nor in misleading afflictions.

O Allāh! Adorn us with the decoration of Eman, and make us those who guide and are guided).[268]

5. He taught Abu Bakar as-Siddiq (radiallāhu 'anhu) to say:

‘Allāhumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran, Wala yaghfiruzzunu bailla anta, Faghfir li maghfiratan min ‘indaka warhamni, Innaka anta al-Ghafur al-Rahim’

(O Allāh! Indeed I have wronged myself greatly, and none can forgive sins except You, so forgive me out of Your forgiveness, and have mercy on me. Truly, You are the Oft- Forgiving, the Most Merciful.) [269]

6. He (sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) instructed 'Aishah (radiallāhu 'anha) to say:

“Allāhhummainni as alukaminalkhiikullihi [`ajilihi wā jilihi] ma`alimtu minhu wama lam `alam, waa`uzubika minassharankullih, [`ajililihi waajilihi] ma `alimtu minhu wama lam `alam,

[Allainni asluka] aljannata wama qarrabailayha min qauliaw `amal, waa`uzubika minannar waqarraba ilaiha minqawliaw `amal,

waasaluka (Allāhuminni asaluka) mina [al] khairimasaalak `abduka warasuluka [Muhammad, Waa`uzubikaminsyarama ista`azakamin `abduka warasuluka Muhammadun sall Allāhu `alayhi wassallam], [Waasaluka] ma qadaita liy min amrin antaj`ala `aqibatuhu [liy] rushda”

(O Allāh! Indeed I ask of You all Good, [the imminent and the far-off,] that of it which I know and that which I do not know. I seek refuge with You from all Evil, [the imminent and the far-off,] that of it which I know and that which I do not know.

I ask of You (in one narration: O Allāh! indeed I ask of You) the Garden, and whatever saying or deed which brings one near to it; I seek refuge with You from the Fire, and (from) whatever saying or deed which brings one near to it.

I ask of You (in one narration: O Allāh! Indeed I ask of You) [the] good of what was asked of You by Your slave and messenger [Muhammad; and I seek refuge with You from evil of what Your slave and messenger Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) sought refuge with You].

[I ask of You] that whatever You have decreed for me, its result [for me] be beneficial) [270 ]

He said to a man, what do you say during the prayer? He replied, "I bear witness (i.e. do the tashahhud), then I ask Allāh "Allāhumma inni as alukal jannah wa a ‘udzu bika minan-nār. (O Allāh, I ask Thou for Paradise and seek refuge in Thou from the Fire)" However, by Allāh, there is no murmuring [271] as good as yours or that of Mu’adz." So he said, Our murmuring is like yours. [272]

8. He heard a man saying in his tashahhud:

“Allāhumma inni asaluka ya Allāh [billah] [alwahid] Allāhuahadussamad, allazi lamyalid walamyulad walamyakunlahu kufuwan ahad, an taghfir liya zunu biy in nakanatal ngafururāhim”.

(O Allāh! Indeed I ask of You, O Allāh (in one narration: by Allāh), the One, the Only, the Absolute, Who begets not and nor is He begotten, and there is none like Him, that You forgive me my sins; indeed You are the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful).

On this, he (sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, He has been forgiven, he has been forgiven. [273]

9. He heard another man say in his tashahhud:

“Allāhuma inni asaluka bi anna lakal-hamd, Lāillā hailla anta [Wahdahulasyarikalak], [Almanna], [Ya] Badi`assamawatiwal ard, Ya Dzaljalaliwalikram, Ya Haiyu Ya Qaiyum [inni asaluka] [aljannata wa au’ zubika minannār]”

(O Allāh! Indeed, I ask of You, by the fact that to You belongs all Praise; there is no (true) god except You, [You alone, You have no partners;] the Bestower of Favours; [O] Originator of the Heavens and the Earth; O One that is Full of Majesty and Honour; O Living One, O Eternal One; [indeed I ask of You] [the Garden, and I seek refuge with You from the Fire])

[So the Prophet (sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) said to his Companions, Do you know with what he has supplicated? They said, "Allāh and His Messenger know best." He said, By Him in Whose Hand is my soul,] he has supplicated Allāh with His Mighty (in one narration: Mightiest) name [274], with which if He is supplicated, He answers, and with which if He is asked, He gives. [275]

 One of the last things he would say between the tashahhud and the taslīm would be:

“Allāhummaghfirli maqaddamtu, wama akhkhartu, wamaasrartu, wama’alantu, wama asraftu, wama anta’alamubihinni minni, Antal-Muqaddimu, wa antalmakhiru, lā ilāha illa anta”

(O Allāh! Forgive me what I have done in the past, and what I will do in the future, and what I have concealed, and what I have done openly, and what I have exceeded in, whatever You know about more now than I. You are the Bringer-Forward, and You are the Delayer, there is no (true) god except You.) [276]

4. Finally the Taslim (Salutation of Peace) to conclude the Solāh:   “As-Salāmu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullāh (Peace and Allāh's Mercy be on you)”

And Allāh knows best.

 

Footnotes

257. Muslim, Abu `Awānah, Nasā’ie and Ibn al-Jarud in al-Muntaqa (27). It is given in Irwa' (350).

258. Abu Dawūd and Ahmad: sahih sanad.

259. Muslim and Abu `Awānah.

260. We have not said, "... in his tashahhud" because the text is "... in his prayer", not specifying either tashahhud or anything else. Hence, it covers all positions suitable for supplication, e.g. prostration and tashahhud; the instruction to supplicate in these two postures has been mentioned.

261. Bukhāri and Muslim. Athram said, "I asked Ahmad: 'With what (words) should I supplicate after tashahhud?' He said, 'As has been narrated.' I said, 'Didn't the Messenger of Allāh (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) say, "Then he should select whichever supplication he likes”?' He said, 'He should select out of what has been narrated.' I repeated the question: he said, 'From what has been narrated'." This was quoted by Ibn Taymiyyah (Majmu` al-Fatawa 69/218/1), who endorsed it, adding, "Hence, 'whichever supplication' refers to the supplications which Allāh loves, not to any supplication ...” later he said, "Hence, it is best to say: (one should supplicate) with the approved, established supplications, and these are what have been narrated and those that are beneficial." This is so, but to recognise which supplications are indeed beneficial depends on authentic knowledge, and this is rarely found among the people, so it is best to stick to the supplications quoted, especially when they include what the worshipper wishes to request. Allāh knows best.

262. Ma’tham: the causes a man to sin, or the sin itself.

263. Maghram: burden; here it means debt, as proved by the rest of the hadith, in which `Aishah said, "Someone said to him, `Why do you seek refuge from maghram, so often, O Messenger of Allāh?' He replied, truly, when a man becomes indebted, he speaks and lies, and he promises and breaks his promise.

264. Bukhāri and Muslim.

265. i.e. from the evil of the bad actions I have done, and from the evil of not doing good actions.

266 Nasā’ie with a sahih sanad and Ibn Abi `Asim in his as-Sunnah (no. 370 - with my checking); the addition is from the latter.

267. Ahmad and Hakim who declared it sahih and Dhahabi agreed.

268. Nasā'ie and al-Hakim who declared it sahih and Dhahabi agreed.

269. Bukhāri and Muslim.

270. Ahmad, Tayalisi, Bukhāri in al-Adab al-Mufrad, Ibn Majah and Hakim who declared it saheeh and Dhahabi agreed. I have given its takhrij in Silsilah al-Ahadith as-Sahihah (1542).

271. Dandanah: to speak such the intonation is audible, but the words are incomprehensible - in the case, the quiet words of supplication. The final statement means, "Our words are like yours."

272. Abu Dawūd, Ibn Mājah and Ibn Khuzaimah (1/87/1): a sahih isnad.

273. Abu Dawūd, Nasa’ie, Ahmad & Ibn Khuzaimah; Hakim declared it sahih and Dhahabi agreed.

274. This is tawassul (a seeking of approach) to Allāh through His most beautiful names and attributes, and this is what Allāh the Exalted commands: "To Allāh belong the most beautiful names, so call on Him by them." (A`raf 7:180). As for seeking to approaching Allāh through other things, e.g. for so-and-so's sake, or by so-and-so's right, status, dignity, etc., there is text from Imam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) and his companions that such a practice is at least disliked (makruh); in general it is prohibited (haram). Therefore, it is a pity that one sees most of the people, among them many sheikhs, totally neglecting the approved tawassul - you will never hear them approaching Allāh this way - but they are well-versed in innovated forms of tawassul, which are at the very least debatable, as though no other way is allowed! Shaikh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah has composed an extremely good essay on this subject entitled Tawassul and Wasilah ("Approaching Allāh, and the Means of doing so"), which should be consulted, for it is very important, and there is little to compare with it in its coverage. There is also my article Tawassul - its types and its rules, which is also important in its subject-matter and format, and also refutes some of the latest misconceptions advanced by contemporary doctors of religion. May Allāh guide us and them.

275. Abu Dawūd, Nasa'ie, Ahmad, Bukhāri in al-Adab al-Mufrad, Tabarani and Ibn Mandah in Tawhid (44/2, 67/1, 70/1-2): sahih isnads.

276. Muslim and Abu `Awanah.

[Via The Qurān and Sunnah Society]

[Adapted from Islam Q&A (Fatwa No: 26889 by Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid) and

The Solāh of the Prophet (sallallāhu‘alayhi wa sallam) By Shaikh Muhammad Nasiruddin Al-Albāni]

Du’a to Remove Distress

The Du’a to Remove Distress

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

All praise and thanks are due to Allāh, May Allāh blessings and peace be upon His Messenger.

Ibn ‘Abbas (radiallāhu`anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to say, when he felt distressed: 

“Lā ilāha ill-Allāh al-‘Azīm ul-Halīm, Lā ilāha ill-Allāh Rabb il-‘Arsh il-‘Azīm, Lā ilāha ill-Allāh Rabb is-Samawāti wa Rabb il-Ard wa Rabb il-‘arsh il-Karīm"

(There is no god except Allah, the All-Mighty, the Forbearing; there is no god except Allah, the Lord of the Mighty Throne; there is no god except Allah, Lord of the heavens, Lord of the earth and Lord of the noble Throne) 

[Al-Bukhari, Muslim]

Anas Ibn Malik (radiallāhu`anhu) reported that the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to say, when something upset him:
 
“Yā Hayyu yā Qayyūm, bi Rahmatika astaghīth"


  (O Ever-Living One, O Everlasting One, by Your mercy I seek help)”

[Al-Bukhari, Muslim]

Asmā’ bint ‘Umays (radiallāhu`anha) reported The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) said to her: “Shall I not teach you some words to say when you feel distressed: 

“Allāh, Allāh, Rabbī lā ushriku bihi shay’an"

(Allah, Allah, my Lord, I do not associate anything with Him).”

[Al-Bukhari, Muslim]

It was reported from ‘Abdallāh ibn Mas’ūd (radiallāhu`anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: “No person suffers any anxiety or grief, and says:

“Allāhumma innī ‘abduka wa ibn ‘abdika wa ibn amatika, nāsiyati bi yadika, mādin fiyya hukmuka, ‘adlun fiyya qadā’uka, as’aluka bi kulli ismin huwa laka sammayta bihi nafsaka aw anzaltahu fi kitābika aw ‘allamtahu ahadan min khalqika aw ista’tharta bihi fi ‘ilm il-ghaybi ‘andak an taj’ala al-Qur’āna rabī’ qalbi wa nūr sadri wa jalā’a huzni wa dhahāba hammi"


(O Allah, I am Your slave, son of Your slave, son of Your female slave, my forelock is in Your hand, Your command over me is forever executed and Your decree over me is just. I ask You by every Name belonging to You which You named Yourself with, or revealed in Your Book, or You taught to any of Your creation, or You have preserved in the knowledge of the unseen with You, that You make the Qur’aan the life of my heart and the light of my breast, and a departure for my sorrow and a release for my anxiety)

But Allah will take away his sorrow and grief, and give him in their stead joy.”

[Al-Bukhari, Muslim]

Wallahu’alam

Supplications of Kaffārah al-Majlis

Supplications of Kaffārah al-Majlis

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

All the praise and Thanks are due to Allāh, the Lord of al-ā’lamīn. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam, is His Messenger.

The following two supplications are recited after a gathering ( Majlis).

The Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “No people sit in a gathering in which they do not mention Allāh, nor send prayers on the Prophet, without it being a source of regret for them; if Allāh wishes, He will punish them, or if He wishes, he will forgive them" – [Narrated by at-Tirmidzi, Hākim and Ahmad: Sahih]

The first supplication is the fullest form of the du`ā' known as Kaffārah al-Majlis (Expiation of the Gathering), “Subhānallāhi wabihamdih. Subhānakallāhumma wabihamdika, Ash-hadu and lā ilāha ill-Allāh illa anta. Astaghfiruka waatubuilaik.” (Glorified be Allāh, and Praised. Glorified be You, O Allāh, and Praised. I bear witness that there is no true god except you. I seek forgiveness from you and repent to you.) The Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam), "He who says it in a gathering of Remembrance (of Allāh), it will be like a seal to stamp it with, and he who says it in a gathering of vain talk, it will be expiation for it" – [Narrated by Hākim and Tabarāni: Sahih.]. 

The second supplication is, of course, from the Sunnah of sending peace and mercy on the Messenger (sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam).

“Allāhumma salli `ala Muhammad, wa `ala āli Muhammad kamā sallayta `ala āli Ibrāhīm, wa bārik ‘ala Muhammad, wa `ala āli Muhammad kama bārakta `ala āli Ibrāhīm, fil-‘ālamīn; Innaka Hamīdun Majīd”

(0 Allah! Send Prayers upon Muhammad and the members of his household as you’ve Sent Prayers upon the members of Ibrahim's household.   And Send Blessings to Muhammad and the members of his household as You  Granted Blessings upon the members of the household of Ibrahim, among all the nations’ Verily You are Most Praiseworthy, Full of Glory)”, [Muslim, (803)]

Wallahu’alam.