The 2 Missing Ingredients (Part 2)

Read Part One.

Bismilah,

I left you off with (part 1) what the two most important things in making decisions boil down too. Duaa and Tawakul.

Through this post i want to share with you 4 points.

So, lets start from the basics, what is the definitions for tawakul and what is the definition to duaa:

Tawakul: complete dependence & sacred trust in Allah

Duaa: is a supplication in Islam, an Arabic term which means to ‘call out’ or to ’summon’.

Point 1: 3 steps duaa, action, and tawakul

Remember Ibrahim ‘alayhi asalam’s story, such an inspiring story:

Step 1: duaa- Ibrahim not knowing what was going to be the best for him he made duaa to Allah subhanahu.

Step 2: Action- Ibrahim left his wife Hajar radiaAllah ‘anhaa and his son Ismael in a desert. A desert with no one, no food, no water, absolutely nothing.

Step 3: Tawakul- he made the duaa, and knew Allah will take care of his family. He asked for it in his supplication but had a content heart. SubhanAllah the level of emaan a person must attain to reach that level of tawakul. You must know that it is all in Allah’s hands. Whether you think it is good for you or not.

“O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House (the Ka’bah at Makkah); in order, O our Lord, that they may perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allâh) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks. (Ibrahim: 37)

Also, Hajar radiaAllahu ‘anha had full tawakul. She did not sit besider her son weeping she had trust in Allah, and went and searched for water or food for her son. And due to her piety, Allah rewarded her with a river that bursted from under the feet of her son. Allahu akbar!

Ibrahim knows that Allah is the all hearing all knowing. He knows the only One who can answer his prayers is Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and how does he know this? He tried it and it worked

“All the praises and thanks be to Allâh, Who has given me in old age Ismâ’il (Ishmael) and Ishâque (Isaac). Verily! My Lord is indeed the All-Hearer of invocations. (Ibrahim:39)

Tie your camel, and put your trust in Allah.

Point 2: Istikharaa (special offer 2 in 1- duaa and tawakul)

Blessings, because You have the Power and I do not have the power. You Know everything and I do not know, and You have knowledge of the unseen. Oh Allah! If in Your Knowledge this action (state here) is better for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then make it destined for me and make it easy for me and then add blessings [baraka'] in it, for me. O Allah! In Your Knowledge if this action is bad for me, bad for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and whatever is better for me, ordain [destine] that for me and then make me satisfied with it.”

Read that duaa, read it twice. Look at how it’s worded, when you come to make a decision you must look at it in a different angle. Will it affect my deen? Will it make me better? or worse? We may think we know what is the ‘best’ for us, but do we really?

…and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allâh knows but you do not know. (Albaqarah:216)

SubhanAllah, istikharaa is such a missing factor in our lives. If every time we are faced with a decision and just prayed 2 rakah’s and really left it all to Allah subhanahu then our lives and decisions would be so much easier. So next time you are faced with a decision, humble yourself, place your head on the floor and ask for Allah’s guidance.

Point 3: Remember Allah knows best

And your Lord creates whatsoever He wills and chooses, no choice have they (in any matter). Glorified be Allâh, and exalted above all that they associate as partners (with Him). (AlQasaas:68)

Sadly, many people tend to do go out of their way after praying istikharaa. They sometimes think Allah is not answering them or He azawajal must send them a ’sign’. Think about it if Allah has created you and has already written down what will happen to you don’t you think He’s the best of planners and alhamauliah we all know He is.

The decision of the matter, before and after (these events) is only with Allâh (ArRum:4)

Point 4 Alhamd wal shukru lilah!

الحمد لله رب العالمين

All the praises and thanks be to Allâh, the Lord []of the ’Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists) (AlFatihah:2)

Allah subhanahu wa talaa your Rabb, the only One deserving of being praised. Whatever happens to you remember to thank Him sincerely, because He chose only what is good for you.

Quick Recap:

1. Trait of a true believer a person with emaan, is the one who performs duaa regularly, leaves his matters to Allah, and then act upon what is of the truth.
2. Istikhara- make the duaa and leave the rest to Allah
3. Remember you are the slave, you have little knowledge. Allah subhanahu has created you so he knows what is best for you, accept that.
4. Always remember to thank Him. He will always chose what has the khayr (good) in it. He knows what is good for you.
5. Best of actions is duaa
6. Ramadan= best time to be making your duaa!

Evidence from Quran about duaa and takwakul:

And put your trust in Allâh, and Sufficient is Allâh as a Wakîl (Trustee, or Disposer of affairs). (Surah Alaraaf: 3)

“And trust and rely on the Living One (Allah), Who will never die, and celebrate His praises and thanks. And Sufficient is He to be acquainted with the sins of His slaves.” (Surah Al-Furqan:58)

” And whoever places his trust in Allah, Sufficient is He for him, for Allah will surely accomplish His Purpose: For verily, Allah has appointed for all things a due proportion” (Surah AlTalaq:3)

And your Lord said: “Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islâmic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) 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, (Islâmic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!” (Surah Gafir: 60)

And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad SAW) 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). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright. (Albaqarah: 186)

Wallahu ‘alaam, sorry it is long, my ideas were bouncing around like ping ball balls. I was going to make part 3 but I compressed all my ideas in this one post! InshaAllah it was of benefit and remember me in your duaas .