Resolution 2 – Dua

For the month of Feb, my plan was to make dua after every salah. The reasoning for this is, it is well known among Muslims that Dua is the weapon of a believer. And I remember once upon a time telling people to make dua whenever they can. But for some reason, it was never my habit to sit and make dua regularly. So I decided that in order to make it easier for me to build up to making dua after all prayers, I’ll start by making dua in sajdah for at least 3 prayers in a day. And that worked much better than forcing myself to make dua after every prayer because sometimes I’m just too jumpy and have so much on my mind about what all I have to do, I don’t sit down to make dua or simply forget. *blush*

It was a bad habit which is why it is my second resolution. It’s past the mid month mark and although Feb is shorter than other months, it’s already working. I decided that if I’m going to be making dua I should try to make it in the best way. So the 2 main things I’ve implemented are making dua in sajdah and starting by praising Allah followed by making dua for our Prophet (pbuh).

From Sahih Bukhari:

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating himself, so make supplication (in this state). (Book #004, Hadith #0979)

Narrated Faddalah ibn Ubayd (RA): that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘When anyone of you makes du’a, let him start by glorifying his Lord and praising Him, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (SAW), then let him pray for whatever he wants’
[abu Dawud #1481, at-Tirmidhi #3477]

In another hadith; Baqiy ibn Mukhallid (RA) narrated that that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘Every du’a is not responded to until one sends blessings upon the Prophet (SAW)’ [al-Bayhaqi]

In another hadith; Umar (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: ‘Du’a is detained between the heavens and the earth and no part of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet (SAW)’ [at-Tirmidhi #486]

I’ve also begun making dua after the azaan. InshaAllah, I’ll be updating next month on how much of a habit I’ve developed and how successful I’ve been in making duas after every salah.

Avoid Suspicion

There are many evils in our society that cause disunity and disharmony amongst us. Among them is that of suspicion.

Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran, 49:12 (Y. Ali):

“O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it…But fear Allah. For Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.”

Suspicion can ruin every relationship. And the Prophet (peace be upon him) clarified how satan works to ruin our relationships and impressions of each other through suspicion as mentioned in the following hadith, Bukhari’s Book of Manners #1293, Muslim and Abu Dawud:

Anas reported that a man passed by while the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, was with one of his wives. The Prophet called the man and said, ‘O So and so. This is my wife, so and so.” The man replied, What I might have thought about another, I would never think about you.” The Prophet, upon him be peace, said, “Shaytan [satan] will circulate through a person just like blood circulates [through one's veins].”

Therefore, it is permissible to call over a person and inform them of the facts, so that they will not be suspicious.

Finally, in another hadith also talks about why we should be wary suspicion:

Abu Huraira, r.a., reported that the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, said, “Be careful of suspicion, for it is the most mistaken of all speech. Do not spy on others, compete* among yourselves, envy one another, or despise one another. Rather, be servants of Allah and brothers!”

The following is a dua for the removal of suspicion and doubt from the heart (Source):

(Quran 23:97) وَقُل رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ
(Quran 23:98) وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحْضُرُونِ
My Lord! I seek your protection from the prompting of the Devils; and my Lord! I seek your protection from them approaching me.

Ameen!