Wednesday, October 24, 2018

THE DISTRESSED ONES


Supplication and prayer (Du’a) are a part of human nature. Even atheists when in distress automatically exclaim “My God”. Similarly, in every religion the followers when in distress resort to supplication in their own way. Supplication or “Dau” in Arabic has been used 222 times in the Glorious Qur’an. Surah al-Baqarah Ayah 186, in this Ayah singular pronoun “Me” has been used 7 times when Allah says, “Wa Iza Sa’laka Ibadi Anni Fainni Qareeb Ujeebu Dawatddae Iza Daane Falyestajebu Li Walyumenu Bi Lallahum Yarshadun.” Translated as, “When My servants ask you concerning Me, then (say unto them:) verily, I am near: I answer the prayer of every supplicant when he calls on Me; so (they should) listen unto My call, and believe in Me, in order that they may be led a right.”

Normally, in our religious gatherings (Majalis) the speaker asks the people to recite Ayah 62 of Surah al-Namal, “Ammayn Yujeebul Muztarrah Iza Da’ahu Wa Yakshafus Su wa Yajalukum khulafa alarz Aelahu ma’allah Qaleelan Ma Tazakkarun” which means, “Or Who answeres the distressed one when he calls on Him and removes the distress and makes you (Imam Mahdi) the successors in the earth. Is there any god with Allah? Little it is that you heed.”
The infallible Imams of Islam guided the Muslims about how to supplicate, why the supplications are not responded by the Almighty. The sixth Infallible Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s.) said, “Praise Allah and with benediction (Salawat) upon the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and his Pure Progeny. Thereafter confess your sins and then supplicate.” (Bihar ul Anwar v.93 page 312)
The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “He who wishes that his supplications be answered must surely purify his food and his earnings (to be lawful)” He (s.a.w.a.s.) further said, “You should enjoin right and forbid wrong, or Allah will set up your wicked ones as absolute masters over your good ones. Then, whatsoever the good pray it will not be answered.” (Bihar ul Anwar v.93 page 372)

Once, someone complained to the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) that supplications were not being answered by Allah, he (a.s.) said: “Your hearts (minds) have acted treacherously (so your supplications are not answered):
1.      You have known Allah, but you have not paid His rights enjoined upon you.
2.      You have believed in His Messenger but opposed his Sunnah.
3.      Surely you have recited His revealed book, but you do not act accordingly.
4.      You say you fear the Hell Fire, while you always commit your own sins.
5.      You say you are eager and interested in Heaven (the Divine reward) but your actions send you away from it.
6.      Verily, you eat the blessings of Allah but do not show gratitude about it.
7.      Certainly, Allah has ordered you to be enemy of Satan. Verbally you claim that you are his enemy, but you make friends with him.
8.      You have put the faults of other people before your eyes and your own ones at your back.”

Show real distress sincerely in supplicating by raising the hands. There are many supplications recommended by our infallible Imams e.g. Dua-e- Kumayl, Dua-e-Jaushan Kabeer, Dua-e-Mujeer, Dua-e-Arafat by Imam Husayn (a.s.), Dua-e-Tawassul, Dua-e-Mashlool

Source: The Glorious Qur’an                                                     An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Qur’an

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