The Solat al-Hajat

How to Offer Salāh al-Hajāt

Dr. `Ujail Jasim An-Nashami

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

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

Muslim scholars state that Solāh al-Hajāt is recommended act of worship. It is a prayer offered for the accomplishment of a particular purpose or need. According to the majority of scholars, it consists of two rak`ahs (prayer units).

Dr. `Ujail Jasim An-Nashami, Professor of Shari`ah at the University of Kuwait, states:

“Muslim scholars unanimously agree that Solāh al-Hajāt is recommended act of worship. They base their view on the hadith, which is reported on the authority of `Abdullah Ibn Abi Awfa (radiallāhu ‘anhu) that the Messenger of Allāh (sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam), said:

"If any one among you has any kind of need, be of Allāh or of a human being, let him perform wudu' (ablution) and offer two rak`ahs (prayer units). Then he should praise Allāh; invoke His blessings on the Prophet (sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) and say the following du`a':

“Lā ilāha ill-Allāhil-Halīmil-Karīm. Subhān-Allāhi Rabbil-‘arshil-‘azīm. Al-hamdu Lillāhi Rabbil-‘Ālamīn. As’aluka mujibaat rahmatika wa ‘azā’im maghfiratika, wa’l-ghanīmata min kulli birrin wal-salāmata min kulli ithmin. Lā tada’ li dzanban illā ghafartahu wa la hamman illā farrajtahu wa la hājatan hiya laka ridan illa qadaytahā, yā arham al-rahimīn.”

(There is no god but Allāh, the Ever-Clement, and the Most Generous. I celebrate the Glory of Allāh, the Lord of the Magnificent Throne. All praise and thanks are due to Allāh, Lord of the worlds. I beseech you, seeking that which will draw me closer to Your mercy, and that which will make certain for me Your Forgiveness. O Allāh, grant me protection against any sin, and a share of every virtue. Do not leave me a sin without forgiving it, a worry without relieving me of it, or a need that meets with Your pleasure without providing for it, O Most Merciful Lord.)

[Narrated by al-Tirmidzi: said this is a gharib hadith; the fact that Fa’id ibn ‘Abdal-Rahman (Abu’l-Warqa’) is among the narrators makes the hadith very weak]

Al-Hakim (rahimallāh) said: “Fabricated ahādith were narrated from Ibn Abi Awfa.”[Mishkat al-Masabih, 1/417] This hadith was also narrated by Ibn Mājah, may Allāh have mercy on him, in his Sunan, 1/144, also via Fa’id ibn ‘Abdal-Rahman. Al-Albani classified it “(It is) very weak.”[Da’ief Sunan Ibn Majah, no. 293]

But Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said that Solāt al-Hajat is not prescribed in shari’ah. [Fatawa Noor ‘ala’l-Darb, 1/169]

If a Muslim in distress and need help, seek Allāh's help in prayer

Notwithstanding the above, al-Qurān and other ahādith clearly prescribes that if a Muslim is in state of distress and in need of help, he should take wudhu’ and perform nawafil solah make a dua’ to seek Allāh’s mercy to reduce his stress and misery. There are no restrictions on number of rak’ahs and kinds of supplications.

Allāh Subhanahu wa ta'ala says: “….And seek help in patience and prayer…” [Al-Baqarah, 2:45]; And Allāh also says: “And your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible” [Ghafir, 40:60]

And the hadith of Abu ad-Darda’ (radiallahu'anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) said:

‘He who makes wudhu’, and does it properly, then prays two rak'ahs, Allāh will grant him whatever he may pray for, sooner or later.’"

[Narrated byAhmad: Sahih (Musnad al-Qāba'il); The narrators of this hadith  named Maimun or Abu Muhammad al-Mara'ii at-Tamimi, a person who was majhul unsure of his status  by the 'ulama' of hadith. Even Yahya ibn Abi Kathir was tsiqah but sometimes he narrated mudallas hadith and sometimes he narrates hadith with broken chain of narrators (Mursal). So there is a narrator who majhul and another is not firmed. So, it is a weak hadith cannot be used as strong evidence; but Sheikh Sayyid Sabiq classified Sahih in his Fiqh As-Sunnah]

Hudzaifah (radiallahu ‘anhu) reported:

“When anything distressed the Prophet (sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam), he would pray.”

[Reported by Abu Dawud in his Sunan, and classified as hasan in Sahih al-Jaami’, 4703)]

Ibn ‘Abbas (radiallāhu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allāh (sallallāhu 'alayhi wasallam) 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 Rabbis-samawāti wa Rabb il-ard wa Rabb il-‘arsh il-Karīm”

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

[Al-Bukhari, Muslim]

Anās Ibn Mālik (radiallāhu ‘anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to say, when something upset him:

“YāHayyu Yā Qayyuum, bi Rahmatika astaghīth”(O Ever-Living One, O Everlasting One, by Your mercy I seek help)

[Al-Bukhāri, Muslim]

Asma’ bint ‘Umays (radiallāhu‘anha) said: The Messenger of Allāh (sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) said to me: “Shall I not teach you some words to say when you feel distressed? [Say:]

“Allāh, Allāh, Rabbi Lā ushriku bihi shay’an” (Allāh, Allāh, my Lord, I do not associate anything with Him).

[Al-Bukhari, Muslim]

‘Abdallāh ibn Mas’ūd (radiallāhu'anhu) reported 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, maadin fiyya hukmuka, ‘adlun fiyya qadā’uka, as’aluka bi kulli ismin huwa laka sammayta bihi nafsaka aw anzaltahu fi kitaabika 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 dzahāba hammi”

(O Allāh, 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’ān the life of my heart and the light of my breast, and a departure for my sorrow and a release for my anxiety)

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

[Al-Bukhari, Muslim]

As for the number of rak'ahs in this prayer, scholars hold different views. The Mālikis, Hanbalis, Ash-Shāfi’es – in the famous view – and some Hanafis say that it consists of two rak`ahs. Some other Hanafis say that it consists of four rak'ahs and others say that it is a twelve-rak'ah prayer.

According to Al-Shāfi’es the Solāt al-Hajāt falls under nawafil solah established by individuals. The Nawafil prayer in performed in congregation is such as Prayer 'Eid al-Fitri and Prayer' Eid al-Adha, Istisqa’ (Prayers for Rain) and the Eclipse Prayer. Hence, Solāt al-hajāt is a naafil prayer performed in preferably to be done individually.

Imam an-Nawawi (Rahimullah) agree upon it and hold it (Solāt al-Hajāt) as a good deed.

Allāh Almighty knows best.

[Excerpted with minor modification from Q&A published in Islam Online (Ask About Islam)]

Solah Istikharah

Salātul-Istikharah

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

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

Basically human being is determines by what is already written and Allah’s Wills. Thus we should turn to Allāh for His Guidance and help. And Allāh promise he would respond to the call of His servant according to his Will.

According to scholars Allah’s Qadhā’ it is divided into two kinds: the first one that is not to be changed at all. The second is that it may be changed through supplication. And both are in Allah's knowledge only. 

Thus , it is clear that du`ā’ (supplication) may change, according to Allah'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, (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam), to perform Istikharah (a Solah and then supplication for guidance and knowledge in making a decision). 

We need Allah’s guidance all through our lives’ paths. When performing the Istikharah Prayer, we are seeking Allah, the All-Knowing to grants guidance and knowledge to us. 

Allah Almighty also opened another door of supplication for us in Solat Al-Hajah (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. 

Istikharah means to ask Allāh to guide you to the path best for you concerning an affair with two halal options. In matters that are wajib (obligatory), haram (forbidden) or makruh (disliked) there is no need to pray Istikharah. Salātul-Istikharah should only be used for matters that are mubah (allowed) or in matters that are mustahabb (liked or encouraged), in which there is a decision to be made as to which one should be given priority.

Many wrong notions exist concerning Istikharah. Many Muslims will pray, read the du'a, and run to bed expecting to see a dream showing them their future wife, what her favourite colour is, and some other weird fantasy. That is not the purpose of this solat.

The results of an istikharah can take many forms. Basically, you go by your feelings, whether you now feel more favourable or not. Also, you may notice events have changed, either for or against you. Note that you must follow the results of an istikharah, because not doing so is tantamount to rejecting Allāh's guidance once you've asked for it. Also, you should firstly clear your mind, not have your mind already decided, and then afterwards follow the results willingly.

It is a sunnah that, if one must choose between permissible alternatives, one may pray two non-obligatory raka’at, even if they are of the sunnah prayers or a prayer for entering the mosque (Tahiyatul Masjid), and so on, during any time of the day or night, and to recite therein whatever one wishes of the Qur'an after reciting al-Fātihah. Then one praises Allāh and sends salutations to the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam) and recites the supplication in the Hadith below.

The description of Solāt-ul- Istikharah was narrated by Jabir ibn 'Abdallāh al-Salami (radiyallāhu`anhu) who said:

"The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) used to teach his companions to make Istikharah in all things, just as he used to teach them surahs from the Qur'ān.

He (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: 'If any one of you is concerned about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two raka'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say:

'O Allāh, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allāh, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me both in this world and in the Hereafter (or: in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or: for me both in this world and the next), then turn me away from it, [and turn it away from me], and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it."

The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) added that then the person should mention his need.

[Recorded by al-Bukhari]

Salatul-Istikharah is just two raka’at of a non-obligatory prayer, observed at anytime during the day, with a specific du`ā’ (supplication) at the end. While reciting the du`ā’, you should be thinking about the situation you want to be advised about with pure intentions and from the bottom of your heart. And Allāh says that whenever he guides a heart aright it can never be misguided. Afterwards, you should 'have a good feeling' about one of your options. Whatever option you feel is best right after you say the dua should be your decision. If you're still in doubt, you can repeat.

Imam An-Nawawi (rahimahullāh) held that "...after performing the Istikharah, a person must do what he is wholeheartedly inclined to do and feels good about doing and should not insist on doing what he had desired to do before making the Istikharah. And if his feelings change, he should leave what he had intended to do, otherwise he is not completely leaving the choice to Allāh, and would not be honest in seeking aid from Allāh's power and knowledge. Sincerity in seeking Allāh's choice, means that one should completely leave what he himself had desired or determined."

Some people mistakenly wait for a dream to give a clear sign as to what decision to make, but this is not true, and often times it never really happens. In fact, dreams may lead you away from what Allāh wants you to do, as Shaytān might try to deceive you in your dreams.

Salatul-Istikharah is for everybody. It's a way for all of us to implore Allāh for divine guidance and mercy. It is yet another invaluable resource from Allāh to keep us on the straight and narrow Sirat al-Mustaqim. The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) told all Muslims about Istikharah, not just the scholars. Despite this gift, too many of us take the advice of our friends and parents, or accept the norms of our society and act without ever wondering what Allāh wants us to do. We must stop looking to the dunya for guidance. We must begin to consult Allāh.

I cannot provide a better conclusion than saying that you must put your trust in Allāh. You must have trust in His concern for us, and His ability to help us. Allāh says:

"Put your trust in Allāh, certainly, Allâh loves those who put their trust (in Him)."

[Surah Al-Imran, 3: 159]

And Allāh Almighty Knows best.

[Via Islamic Network]

The Burden of a Muslim

The Burden of a Muslim

Shahul Hameed

 Question: There is so much to know about Islam. How can I possibly learn everything to teach my children? How can I know what is right or wrong in the name of Allah, the All-Knowing? It makes me very sad that people don’t know about so many different small and big things in life.

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.

Allah does not burden any soul with more than it can bear, as said in the Qur’an:

“On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns.”[Al-Baqarah, 2:286]

If you study all those things said in the Qur’an and the hadith, along with all the explanations, interpretations, details of law, jurisprudence and so on and so forth, you will be one of the greatest scholars the world has ever seen.

Once you understand the fundamental principles of Islam and the practical aspects of religious duties, everything else follows naturally. But you may have doubts in certain circumstances, whether some particular thing is proper from the Islamic point of view or not. In such cases, you need to consult someone you know to be knowledgeable, that is all.

Understand that Allah will not do even an atom’s weight of injustice. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“.. I do not the least injustice to My servants.”[Surah 5:29]

“And the Book [of deeds] will be placed [before you]; and you will see the sinful in great terror because of what is [recorded] therein; they will say: "Ah! Woe to us! What a Book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!" They will find all that they did, place before them: And not one wills your Lord treat with injustice.”[Surah Kahf,18:49]

Allah is Just and Merciful at the same time. He knows what you reveal and what you hide. He knows your strength and weakness; he knows the circumstances which compel you to fall into error. He will not punish for your errors, unless you are really responsible for such actions.

The Qur’an says Allah repeatedly, is Forgiving and Merciful. He never punishes any one for the things they do unknowingly, unwittingly.

Allah does not look at your external beauty or appearance, or into your wealth. He looks into your hearts and your actions. Or, rather He checks your actions and the intents behind the actions. It is on the basis of the intention behind the action, that every action is judged.

The foregoing means that in most cases you simply follow the dictates of your commonsense, the reason that Allah has given you. In cases where you are doubtful, you ask the opinion of someone who can help you in the matter.

But, spend a part of your time for study too. The rest is with Allah. Depend on Him and pray to Him for forgiveness, for guidance.

Of course you must have a desire to do good and avoid evil, a desire to obey Allah, and not to obey the Devil. That is all you have to do.

Allah Almighty knows best.

[Excerpted with minor modification from QA published in Islam Online -- Ask About Islam, 11Aug 2003.]

Conditions of Dua' To Be Accepted By Allah

Conditions of Duā’ Would Be Accepted By Allāh

Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Hamad

What are the conditions of duā’ so that would be answered and accepted by Allāh?

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

All 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.

There are many conditions of duā’, are including the following: 

1. To ask upon no one except Allāh alone.

The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “If you ask, then ask from Allāh, and if you seek help, then seek the help of Allāh.”  [Narrated by al-Tirmidzi, 2516: sahih] 

Allāh Says: “And the masajid are for Allāh (Alone), so invoke not anyone along with Allāh” [Al-Jinn, 72:18] 

This is the most important condition of duā’, without which no duā’ will be accepted and no good deed taken up. There are some people who make duā’ to the dead and regard them as intermediaries between them and Allāh. They claim that these righteous people will bring them closer to Allāh and intercede for them with Him, and they claim that their sins are so great that they have no status before Allāh, and that is why they set up these intermediaries and pray to them instead of Allāh. But Allāh says: 

“And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor)”

[Al-Baqarah, 2:186] 

2. You should seek to draw close to Allāh in one of the ways that are prescribed in syarī’ah. 

3. Be Patient and should avoid seeking a quick response.

This is one of the cause that may prevent the duā’ from being accepted. In the hadith it says: “One of you may be answered so long as he is not hasty and says, ‘I said duā’ but I got no response.’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 6340; Muslim, 2735.] 

The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “A man’s (duā’) may be answered so long as it does not involve sin or severing the ties of kinship or hastening.” It was said: “O Messenger of Allāh, what does hastening mean?” He said: “When he says, ‘I made duā’ and I made duā’ but I did not see any response,’ so he gets discouraged and stops making duā’.” [Narrated by Muslim (2736)]

4. The duā’ should not entail sin or severing of the ties of kinship.

The hadith as quoted above: “A man’s (duā’) may be answered so long as he does not involve sin or severing the ties of kinship …” 

5. You should believe positively of Allāh.

The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Allāh, the Exalted, says: ‘I am as My slave thinks I am.’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 7405; Muslim, 4675].

According to the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (radiallāhu`anhu): “Make duā’ to Allāh when you are certain of a response.” [Narrated by al-Tirmidzi: hasan] 

Whoever thinks well of his Lord, Allāh will bestow His bounty upon him and give him in abundance.  

6. You should be focused, aware of the greatness of Allāh.

The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Know that Allāh does not answer a duā’ from a distracted heart.”  [Narrated by al-Tirmidzi, 3479: hasan] 

7. Ensuring that one’s food comes from halal sources.

Allāh says: “Verily, Allāh accepts only from those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious)” [Al-Ma’idah, 5:27] 

The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) stated that a response was unlikely for one who eats drinks and wears haram things. In the hadith it says: [The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)] mentioned the man who undertakes a lengthy journey and is disheveled and covered with dust, and he stretches his hands towards heaven saying, ‘O Lord, O Lord,’ when his food is harām, his drink is harām, his clothes are harām. He is nourished with harām, so how can he be granted a response? [Narrated by Muslim, 1015] 

Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah)  said: Thus eating harām things saps the strength of the duā’ and weakens it. 

8. You should avoid elements of aggression in duā’, for Allāh does not like aggression in duā’.

Allāh says:  “Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors” [Al-A’rāf, 7:55] 

9. You should not let duā’ distract you from an obligatory duty.

A duty such obligatory prayer that is due, and you should not neglect parents’ rights on the basis of duā’. This is indicated by the story of Juraij, when he did not answer his mother’s call and turned instead to his prayer. She prayed against him and Allāh tested him sorely. 

Imam Al-Nawawi (rahimullāh) said: The scholars said: This indicates that what he should have done is to answer her, because he was offering a supererogatory (nāwafil prayer), continuation of which was voluntary, not obligatory, whereas answering his mother and honouring her was obligatory and disobeying her was haram. [Sahih Muslim bi Sharh al-Nawawi, 16/82] 

And Allāh Almighty knows best.

[ See: Kitab al-Duā’ by Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Hamad].

[Via Islam Q&A]