Saturday, September 17, 2011

Menopause

Red hot pokers sea symbolic hot flush

1. Hot flushes are...
  1. ...a big mystery that nobody really understands.
  2. ...emblematic of the woman at menopause. 
  3. ...are experienced as a sudden wave of extreme heat that sweeps through the body, sometimes causing profuse sweating.
  4. Medics refer to flushes and night sweats as vasomotor symptoms orvasomotor dysfunction.
  5. flames symbolic hot flash
    ©iStockphoto.com/bloodstone
    Hot flushes...
  6. ...are experienced differently by different women.
  7. ...can be brought on by situations especially stress, emotions, foods, drinks and psychological "events".
  8. ...were previously thought to be worse in thin women but are now known to be worse if you are overweight.
  9. ... are of varying severity, intensity, frequency and duration in the same woman and between women. They usually subside gradually after the menopause but may last for months or years and in a few women, forever.
  10. ...at night cause night sweats. These can be disturbing enough to cause debilitating sleep loss.
  11. ...do not just occur in menopausal women. They can occur whenever there is a rapid drop in oestrogen – after surgical removal of the ovaries, following childbirth and in some premenopausal women just before menstruation.

For me, menopause with the hot flushes is the beginning of another phase of my life...The time has finally arrived .... Ready or not. Hot flushes is the first symptom and soon others might just creep in. Aching backs, hormonal headaches, painful knee joints and the list goes on. To help get on with life, I shall be adding some du'a and dzikir to ease the pain. For a start...Here's the du'a for those hot flushes.

قُلْنَا يَا نَارُ كُونِي بَرْدًا وَسَلَامًا عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ
"Allah said, "O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham."
Surah Anbiyaa' : 69
2. Aching backs


For aching back, read this du'a while hitting or massaging the back.

وَإِذَا بَطَشْتُم بَطَشْتُمْ جَبَّارِينَ
And when you strike, you strike as tyrants.

Surat Ash-Shu`arā':130


3. Headaches

to be continued ....







Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Special du'as requested by my son, Luqman for the month of Ramadhan.


Du'a in the blessed month of Ramadhan

اللَّهُمَّ اِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ رِضَاكَ وَالْجَنِّةِ وَنَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ وَالنَّاِر

O Allah! we seek your approval and your heavens and we seek protecion in You from Your Hells and Fire.

اللَّهُمّ َإِنَّكَ عَفُوٌ كَرِيْم تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُوْ عَنَّا

O Allah! You are oft-forgiving, merciful. You love to forgive, so forgive me.

40 Du'as with Rabbana ربنا

1.

رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ العَلِيمُ
[البقرة :127]
Rabbana taqabbal minna innaka antas Sameeaul Aleem   
Translation:
Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing
[2:127]
2.
رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَآ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
[البقرة :128]
Rabbana wa-j'alna Muslimayni laka ma min Dhurriyatina 'Ummatan Muslimatan laka wa 'Arina Manasikana wa tub 'alayna 'innaka 'antat-Tawwabu-Raheem
Translation: Our Lord! Make of us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will), and of our progeny a people Muslim, bowing to Thy (will); and show us our place for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in Mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful
[2:128]



3.
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
[البقرة :201]
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil 'akhirati hasanatan waqina 'adhaban-nar 
Translation: Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire
[2:201]
4.
رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْراً وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى القَوْمِ الكَافِرِينَ
[البقرة :250]
Rabbana afrigh 'alayna sabran wa thabbit aqdamana wansurna 'alal-qawmil-kafirin
Translation: Our Lord! Bestow on us endurance, make our foothold sure, and give us help against the disbelieving folk
[2:250]
5.
رَبَّنَا لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا
[البقرة :286]
Rabbana la tu'akhidhna in-nasina aw akhta'na   Translation: Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error
[2:286]
6.
رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا
[البقرة :286]
Rabbana wala tahmil alayna isran kama hamaltahu 'alal-ladheena min qablina
Translation: Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us
[2:286]

7.
رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لاَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا أَنتَ مَوْلاَنَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
[البقرة :286]
Rabbana wala tuhammilna ma la taqata lana bihi wa'fu anna waghfir lana wairhamna anta mawlana fansurna 'alal-qawmil kafireen
Translation: Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith
[2:286]
8.
رَبَّنَا لاَ تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ
[8: آل عمران]
Rabbana la tuzigh quloobana ba'da idh hadaytana wa hab lana milladunka rahmah innaka antal Wahhab   Translation: Our Lord! (they say), Let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine own Presence; for Thou art the Grantor of bounties without measure
[3:8]
9.
رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ النَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لاَّ رَيْبَ فِيهِ إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ
[آل عمران :9]
Rabbana innaka jami'unnasi li-Yawmil la rayba ri innAllaha la yukhliful mi'aad 
Translation: Our Lord! Thou art He that will gather mankind Together against a day about which there is no doubt; for Allah never fails in His promise.
[3:9]
10.
رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
[آل عمران :16]
Rabbana innana amanna faghfir lana dhunuubana wa qinna 'adhaban-Naar
Translation: Our Lord! We have indeed believed: forgive us, then, our sins, and save us from the agony of the Fire
[3:16]
11.
رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا بِمَا أَنزَلَتْ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَِ
[آل عمران :53]
Rabbana amanna bima anzalta wattaba 'nar-Rusula fak-tubna ma'ash-Shahideen 
Translation: Our Lord! We believe in what Thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger. Then write us down among those who bear witness
[3:53]
12.
ربَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَِ
[آل عمران :147]
Rabbana-ghfir lana dhunuubana wa israfana fi amrina wa thabbit aqdamana wansurna 'alal qawmil kafireen   Translation: Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and anything We may have done that transgressed our duty: Establish our feet firmly, and help us against those that resist Faith
[3:147]
13.
رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَذا بَاطِلاً سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
[آل عمران :191]
Rabbana ma khalaqta hadha batila Subhanaka faqina 'adhaban-Naar 
Translation: Our Lord! Not for naught Hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire
[3:191]
14.
رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ مَن تُدْخِلِ النَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ
[آل عمران :192]
Rabbana innaka man tudkhilin nara faqad akhzaytah wa ma liDh-dhalimeena min ansar
Translation: Our Lord! Any whom Thou dost admit to the Fire, Truly Thou coverest with shame, and never will wrong-doers Find any helpers!
[3:192]
15.
رَّبَّنَا إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِي لِلإِيمَانِ أَنْ آمِنُواْ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَآمَنَّا
[آل عمران :193]
Rabbana innana sami'na munadiyany-yunadi lil-imani an aminu bi Rabbikum fa'aamanna   Translation: Our Lord! We have heard the call of one calling (Us) to Faith, 'Believe ye in the Lord,' and we have believed.
[3:193]
16.
رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الأبْرَارِ
[آل عمران :193]
Rabbana faghfir lana dhunoobana wa kaffir 'ana sayyi'aatina wa tawaffana ma'al Abrar 
Translation: Our Lord! Forgive us our sins, blot out from us our iniquities, and take to Thyself our souls in the company of the righteous
[3:193]
17.
رَبَّنَا وَآتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَى رُسُلِكَ وَلاَ تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّكَ لاَ تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَاد
[آل عمران :194]
Rabbana wa 'atina ma wa'adtana 'ala rusulika wa la tukhzina yawmal-Qiyamah innaka la tukhliful mi'aad   Translation: Our Lord! Grant us what Thou didst promise unto us through Thine apostles, and save us from shame on the Day of Judgment: For Thou never breakest Thy promise
[3:194]
18.
رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ
[المائدة :83]
Rabbana aamana faktubna ma' ash-shahideen
Translation: Our Lord! We believe; write us down among the witnesses.
[5:83]
19.
رَبَّنَا أَنزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَآئِدَةً مِّنَ السَّمَاء تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيداً لِّأَوَّلِنَا وَآخِرِنَا وَآيَةً مِّنكَ وَارْزُقْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ
[المائدة :114]
Rabbana anzil 'alayna ma'idatam minas-Samai tuknu lana 'idal li-awwa-lina wa aakhirna wa ayatam-minka war-zuqna wa anta Khayrul-Raziqeen
Translation: O Allah our Lord! Send us from heaven a table set (with viands), that there may be for us - for the first and the last of us - a solemn festival and a sign from thee; and provide for our sustenance, for thou art the best Sustainer (of our needs)
[5:114]
20.
رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
[الأعراف :23]
Rabbana zalamna anfusina wa il lam taghfir lana wa tarhamna lana kuna minal-khasireen 
Translation: Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost.
[7:23]
21.
رَبَّنَا لاَ تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ
[الأعراف :47]
Rabbana la taj'alna ma'al qawwmi-dhalimeen 
Translation: Our Lord! Send us not to the company of the wrong-doers
[7:47]
22.
رَبَّنَا افْتَحْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ قَوْمِنَا بِالْحَقِّ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الْفَاتِحِينَ
[الأعراف :89]
Rabbanaftah bayana wa bayna qawmina bil haqqi wa anta Khayrul Fatiheen
Translation: Our Lord! Decide Thou between us and our people in truth, for Thou art the best to decide.
[7:89]
23.
رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ
[الأعراف :126]
Rabbana afrigh 'alayna sabraw wa tawaffana Muslimeen
Translation: Our Lord! Pour out on us patience and constancy, and take our souls unto thee as Muslims (who bow to thy will)!
[7:126]
24.
رَبَّنَا لاَ تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ ; وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
[يونس :85-86]
Rabbana la taj'alna firnatal lil-qawmidh-Dhalimeen wa najjina bi-Rahmatika minal qawmil kafireen   Translation: Our Lord! Make us not a trial for those who practise oppression; And deliver us by Thy Mercy from those who reject (Thee)
[10:85-86]
25.
رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ مَا نُخْفِي وَمَا نُعْلِنُ وَمَا يَخْفَى عَلَى اللّهِ مِن شَيْءٍ فَي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِي السَّمَاء
[إبرهيم :38]
Rabbana innaka ta'iamu ma nukhfi wa ma nu'lin wa ma yakhfa 'alal-lahi min shay'in fil-ardi wa la fis-Sama'   Translation: O our Lord! Truly Thou dost know what we conceal and what we reveal: for nothing whatever is hidden from Allah, whether on earth or in heaven
[14:38]
26.
رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاء
[إبرهيم :40]
Rabbana wa taqabbal Du'a
Translation: O our Lord! And accept my Prayer.
[14:40]
27.
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ
[إبرهيم :41]
Rabbana ghfir li wa li wallidayya wa lil Mu'mineena yawma yaqumul hisaab
Translation: O our Lord! Cover (us) with Thy Forgiveness - me, my parents, and (all) Believers, on the Day that the Reckoning will be established!
[14:41]
28.
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
[الكهف :10]
Rabbana 'atina mil-ladunka Rahmataw wa hayya lana min amrina rashada
Translation: Our Lord! Bestow on us Mercy from Thyself, and dispose of our affair for us in the right way!
[18:10]
29.
رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا نَخَافُ أَن يَفْرُطَ عَلَيْنَا أَوْ أَن يَطْغَى
[طه :45]
Rabbana innana nakhafu any-yafruta 'alayna aw any-yatgha
Translation: Our Lord! We fear lest he hasten with insolence against us, or lest he transgress all bounds
[20: 45]
30.
رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
[المؤمنون :109]
Rabbana amanna faghfir lana warhamna wa anta khayrur Rahimiin
Translation: Our Lord! We believe; then do Thou forgive us, and have mercy upon us: For Thou art the Best of those who show mercy
[23: 109]
31.
رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا إِنَّهَا سَاءتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا
[الفرقان :65-66]
Rabbanas-rif 'anna 'adhaba jahannama inna 'adhabaha kana gharama innaha sa'at musta-qarranw wa muqama   Translation: Our Lord! Avert from us the Wrath of Hell, for its Wrath is indeed an affliction grievous,- Evil indeed is it as an abode, and as a place to rest in.
[25: 65-66]
32.
رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
[الفرقان :74]
Rabbana Hablana min azwaajina wadhurriy-yatina, qurrata 'ayioni wa-jalna lil-muttaqeena Imaama   Translation: O my Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous
[25:74]
33.
رَبَّنَا لَغَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ
[فاطر :34]
Rabbana la Ghafurun shakur
Translation: Our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving Ready to appreciate (service)
[35: 34]
34.
آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ
[غافر :7]
Rabbana wasi'ta kulla sha'ir Rahmatanw wa 'ilman faghfir lilladhina tabu wattaba'u sabilaka waqihim 'adhabal-Jahiim   Translation: Our Lord! Thy Reach is over all things, in Mercy and Knowledge. Forgive, then, those who turn in Repentance, and follow Thy Path; and preserve them from the Penalty of the Blazing Fire!
[40:7]
35.
رَبَّنَا وَأَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي وَعَدتَّهُم وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ وَقِهِمُ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَمَن تَقِ السَّيِّئَاتِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمْتَهُ وَذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
[غافر :8-9]
Rabbana wa adhkhilum Jannati 'adninil-lati wa'attahum wa man salaha min aba'ihim wa azajihim wa dhuriyyatihim innaka antal 'Azizul-Hakim, waqihimus sayyi'at wa man taqis-sayyi'ati yawma'idhin faqad rahimatahu wa dhalika huwal fawzul-'Adheem
Translation: And grant, our Lord! that they enter the Gardens of Eternity, which Thou hast promised to them, and to the righteous among their fathers, their wives, and their posterity! For Thou art (He), the Exalted in Might, Full of Wisdom. And preserve them from (all) ills; and any whom Thou dost preserve from ills that Day,- on them wilt Thou have bestowed Mercy indeed: and that will be truly (for them) the highest Achievement.
[40:8-9]
36.
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا
[الحشر :10]
Rabbana-ghfir lana wa li 'ikhwani nalladhina sabaquna bil imani wa la taj'al fi qulubina ghillal-lilladhina amanu   Translation: Our Lord! Forgive us, and our brethren who came before us into the Faith, and leave not, in our hearts, rancour (or sense of injury) against those who have believed.
[59:10]
37.
رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
[الحشر :10]
Rabbana innaka Ra'ufur Rahim
Translation: Our Lord! Thou art indeed Full of Kindness, Most Merciful.
[59:10]
38.
رَّبَّنَا عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ
[الممتحنة :4]
Rabbana 'alayka tawakkalna wa-ilayka anabna wa-ilaykal masir 
Translation: Our Lord! In Thee do we trust, and to Thee do we turn in repentance: to Thee is (our) Final Goal
[60:4]
39.
رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
[الممتحنة :5]
Rabbana la taj'alna fitnatal lilladhina kafaru waghfir lana Rabbana innaka antal 'Azizul-Hakim 
Translation: Our Lord! Make us not a (test and) trial for the Unbelievers, but forgive us, our Lord! for Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
[60:5]
40.
رَبَّنَا أَتْمِمْ لَنَا نُورَنَا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا إِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
[التحريم :8]
Rabbana atmim lana nurana waighfir lana innaka 'ala kulli shay-in qadir 
Translation: Our Lord! Perfect our Light for us, and grant us Forgiveness: for Thou hast power over all things.
[66:8]

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Du'a seeking forgiveness



Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:
 Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said: I am as My servant expects Me and I am with him as he remembers Me. By Allah, Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than how one of you would be on finding the lost camel in the waterless desert. When he draws near Me by the span of his hand, I draw near him by the length of a cubit. And when he draws near Me by the length of a cubit, I draw near him by the length of a fathom. And when he draws near Me walking, I draw close to him quickly.
[Sahih Muslim, Book 037, Number 6610]
عن أبي هريرة  عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال قال الله عز وجل أنا عند ظن عبدي بي وأنا معه حيث يذكرني والله لله أفرح بتوبة عبده من أحدكم يجد ضالته بالفلاة ومن تقرب إلي شبرا تقربت إليه ذراعا ومن تقرب 

Narrated Abdullah bin Amr: Abu Bakr As-Siddiq said to the Prophet “O Allah’s Messenger! Teach me a supplication with which I may call upon Allah in my prayers.” The Prophet said,
 “Say: O Allah! I have wronged myself with a great oppression, and none forgives sins but You; so please forgive me. No doubt, You are the Forgiving, the Merciful.”




 عَنْ أَبِي الْخَيْرِ سَمِعَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرٍو أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ  قَالَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَلِّمْنِي دُعَاءً أَدْعُو بِهِ فِي صَلَاتِي قَالَ قُلْ :

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ فَاغْفِرْ لِي مِنْ عِنْدِكَ مَغْفِرَةً إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Solatul Dhuha


The day will not be perfect until my Dhuha and Witr are done aside from the obligatory prayers. Personally, solatul dhuha is an extension of my amalan for my Creator. Surely after so many years of ibadah, I must increase my amal and thus allow growth of my iman. Not necessary true... increase in amal =  increase of iman ... but, I shall let myself amal with the best of intentions or niat.
The time of Dhuha begins when the sun is about a spear’s length above the horizon and it continues until the sun reaches its meridian. It is preferred to delay it until the sun has risen high and the day has become hot. The best time is when the sun is hottest.
The minimum number of rak’ahs to be prayed is two. The most that the Prophet (SAW) performed was eight rak’ahs. Personally, I pray 4 rakaats now after praying 2 rakaats for 20 years already. Sometimes when there are time constraints, two rakaats is so convenient. 

Umm Hani narrated that the Prophet (SAW) prayed eight rak’ahs of Dhuha and made the taslim after every two rak’ahs.
(Abu Dawud)

The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever regularly prays the two rak`ats of Duha, his sins are forgiven even if they are as numerous as the foam of the sea.” 
Narrated from Abu Hurayra by al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majahm and Ahmad.



From the above , the core of it are these two du'as.
Du'a solatul Dhuha ~


          اَللهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَتُبْ عَلَيْ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيْم
100 times ... (Bukhari)


or  اَللهُمَّ اغْفِر لِيْ وَارْحَمْنِيْ وَتُبْ عَلَيْ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الْغَفُوْر  
100 times..... (Baihaqi)


It is clear that Dhuha prayer is very important for the faithful. It is important not because - as many have perceived - Dhuha prayer has to do with the search for sustenance, but it is important because of the oath of God in the Qur'an. 















Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The Du'a of Light




I have heard of this du'a when I was 16 during an Islamic conference at the then Balai Islam which was opposite to the main mosque, Masjid Negara in Kuala Lumpur. It was an unforgettable experience. I had my first wakeup call .... more of an Islamic calling. I had never heard of hadith Bukhari or Muslim then.... and aurat was never ever mentioned in my life. So, everything I learnt there and then was totally new, like being a new Muslim convert. 
However an incident that happened there still lingers in my mind and I always tell my kids about this. 
One early morning ... we were awaken for subuh and I was a bit late and had to rush with a quick shower and dashed across the road to Masjid Negara because we were supposed to pray in the congregation. I had forgotten to take my wudu'.... so, I quickly walked to the women's ablution area. The Muezzin had started the azan and I practically pulled up my prayer clothes and frantically ran.... to the hall. I think they had switched off the lights around the inner courtyard .... and I could not .... for the life of me .... see anything .... it was still very dark. As I was running hastily ... suddenly, I felt like I was in the air for maybe a split second and ......SPLASH....! .... I ended in the big pool ... the water pool with the fountain...! I was soaked to the skin... totally drenched...! Still, I crawled up ...lucky no one was around to see this hysterical incident .... to continue to proceed towards the praying hall. Later after the Subuh prayers, as I was relating this to my friends and ustaz.... he asked whether I was alright...so, I lifted my skirt and showed him the bruise on my upper legs...! He quickly raised his hands across his eyes and shouted ...HARAM...HARAM.... and I was thinking... what? Everyone burst out laughing ...That was the first time I was informed about aurat....! That began my covering of my Aurat @ 16 yrs of age...!




Anyway, back to that du'a ... I remembered after breakfast that day, this Kiai .... I remember ...he looked like an angel... had an aura I had never seen before... forgot his name though. He was always referred to as the Kiai. He taught the du'a and made us promise to memorize. Didn't know why but we memorized it anyways. After almost 35 years .... here it is ....
   
Ibn ‘Abbas reports that he once stayed the night as a guest of Maymuna, who was his aunt, and the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam). They slept on their blanket lengthways, and he slept at the end, crossways. After they had all slept for a while, the Prophet rose in the middle of the night to pray the tahajjud prayer, and Ibn ‘Abbas joined him.


They both did wudhu, and he prayed eleven rak'ats with the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam). Then they both went back to sleep again until dawn. Bilal called the adhân and the Prophet did another two short rak’ats, before going into the mosque to lead the Dawn Prayer.


Ibn ‘Abbas said that one of the du'as that the Prophet made during this night was:

Translation:
"O Allah, place light in my heart, light in my tongue, light in my hearing, light in my sight, light behind me, light in front of me, light on my right, light on my left, light above me and light below me; place light in my sinew, in my flesh, in my blood, in my hair and in my skin; place light in my soul and make light abundant for me; make me light and grant me light."

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ فِي قَلْبِي نُورًا , وَفِي سَمْعِي نُورًا , وَفِي بَصَرِي نُورًا , وَعَنْ يَمِينِي نُورًا , وَعَنْ شِمَالِي نُورًا , وَأَمَامِي نُورًا , وَخَلْفِي نُورًا , وَفَوْقِي نُورًا , وَتَحْتِي نُورًا , وَاجْعَلْ لِي نُورًا 

( أَوْ قَالَ : وَاجْعَلْنِي نُورًا )


Transliteration:
Allahummajal fi qalbi nuura, wa-fi basari nuura, wa-fi samee nuura, wa-ay-yameeni nuura, wa-ay-yasaari nuura, wa-fawqi nuura, wa-tahti nuura, wa-amaami nuura, wakhalfi nuura, wa fawqi nuura, wa tahti nuura, wa'jal li nuuraa


This hadith was transmitted by Bukhari and Muslim.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Du'a At Times of Stress and Sadness (heartache)

I read this on the chatbox @ One Legacy Radio. I have always known this du'a and even memorized it but I did not the know the hadith and where or how it came about. MashAllah! Alhamdulillah...! Finally, I know exactly when to use this.
“It is reported in the Sunan of Abu Dawud and Ibn Maajah from Asmaa’ bint ‘Umays (radhiya Allahu ‘anhaa) that she said, ‘Rasulullah (SAWS) (‘Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa ‘alaa aalihi wa sallam) said to me,
‏أَلَا أُعَلِّمُكِ كَلِمَاتٍ تَقُولِينَهُنَّ عِنْدَ ‏ ‏الْكَرْبِ ‏ ‏أَوْ فِي ‏ ‏الْكَرْبِ 
 ”Shall I teach you some words that you should say at the time of كرب Karb or in Karb (heartache, distress, gloom)? Say:
‏أَللَّهُ ‏ ‏أَللَّهُ رَبِّي لَا أُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا 
“Allahu Allahu Rabbi Laa Ushriku Bihi Shai’a”
Allah (SWT) Allah (SWT), My Lord! I do not associate anything as a partner/co-equal with Him! 
The editor, Shaykh Subay’ Hamza Haakimi, states in the footnote: “Abu Dawud 1525, Ibn Maajah 3882, An Nasaa’i in his Al-Yawm wal-Laylah 647, and its chain is Hasan.” Imam Al-Mundhiri states, “An-Nasaa’i reports it in Mursal form and in Musnad form.”