Importance of asking Allaah for steadfastness in religion

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

﴿أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَلاَ يَكُونُواْ كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَـبَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الاٌّمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَـسِقُونَ﴾

{Has not the time yet come for the believers that their hearts should be humble for the remembrance of Allah And that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture before, and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened And many of them were rebellious.} [Surah al-Hadeed (57): 16]

Narrated Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood: “Since our acceptance of Islam and the revelation of this verse in which Allah has shown annoyance to us: {Has not the time yet come for the believers that their hearts should be humble for the remembrance of Allah?} there was a gap of four years. [Sahih Muslim]

Know, Allaah have Mercy on you, this is Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood, one of the most knowledgable Sahaabee on the Tafseer of Qur’aan said that only four years had passed of his embracing Islaam when Allaah revealed this ayah of Surahal-Hadeed: {Has not the time yet come for the believers that their hearts should be humble for the remembrance of Allah?} The Prophet was still with them and they were admonished by Allaah. But look at our affairs. It is now more than fourteen hundred (1400) years since this verse was revealed. It is now more than fourteen hundred (1400) years since the Prophet’s death. We are in need of more admonition than them; in this age of fitan (trials), where one fitnah is being replaced by an even greater one; where knowledge and scholars are decreasing, and ignorance and ignorant has spread; where one reads a few books and believes he has become a scholar, where one reads a few books on Aqeedah and thinks that he is safe from committing shirk; where one does only a few good deeds and considers himself amongst the people of Paradise; where one, time and again, commits major crimes and still feels safe from the punishment of Hell.

Allaahu musta`aan.

So, at times like these, it becomes more obvious for us to make a lot of Du`aa that Allaah makes our feet firm and keep us steadfast upon His religion.

The following is an excerpt from the book “Aqeedah al-Tahaawiyah” of the famous Hanafee scholar, the Imaam, the Haafidh, Abu Ja`far Ahmad al-Tahaawee, along with the commentary of some of the other scholars on this passage.

  

Imaam al-Tahaawee:

(After writing about the issues of Islaam and Imaan, Imaam al-Tahaawee discussed about those people who commit major sins) After writing about the position of the people who engage in Major sins, Imaam al-Tahaawee makes the following du`aa:

اللهم يا وليَّ الإسلام وأهله، ثبتنا على الإسلام حتى نلقاك به.

“O Allaah! O Protector of Islaam and its followers! Give us steadfastness in Islaam until we meet You with it.”

Imaam Ibn Abi al-`Izz commented on the above Du`aa:

And his (Imaam al-Tahaawee’s) saying: “O Allaah! O Protector of Islaam and its followers! Give us steadfastness in Islaam until we meet You with it.” Shaykh al-Islaam, Abu Ismaeel al-Ansaaree narrated in his book “Al-Farooq” with his chain of narration, that Anas رضي الله عنه said: “One of the Du`aas which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم  used to make was:

اللهم يا وليَّ الإسلام وأهله، مسكني بالإسلام حتى ألقاك عليه

“O Allaah! O Protector of Islaam and its followers! Stick me firmly with Islaam until I meet You with it.”

The purpose of finishing this subject (about Islaam, Imaan and kufr) with this du`aa is obvious. And similar to this du`aa is the du`aa of (Prophet) Yusuf, the truthful one عليه السلام, when he said:

﴿رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِى مِنَ الْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِى مِن تَأْوِيلِ الاٌّحَادِيثِ فَاطِرَ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِىِّ فِى الدُّنُيَا وَالاٌّخِرَةِ تَوَفَّنِى مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِى بِالصَّـلِحِينَ ﴾

{My Lord! You have indeed bestowed on me of the sovereignty, and taught me something of the interpretation of dreams - the (Only) Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Wali in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die as a Muslim, and join me with the righteous.} [Surah Yusuf (12): 101]

The magicians who were the first to believe in Musa عليه السلام also made du`aa with it when they said:

﴿رَبَّنَآ أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ ﴾

{Our Lord! pour out on us patience, and cause us to die as Muslims.} [Surah al-`Araaf (7): 126]

As for those who use these two ayaat to support their views that it is permissible to seek death; (then let it be known) that there is no evidence for them in it. These du`aas are to seek death upon Islaam, and not death itself, nor an early death. And the difference is clear.

Shaykh Saleh Aal-Shaykh’s comment on Imaam al-Tahaawee:

Then in the end he made the du`aa saying:

اللهم يا وليَّ الإسلام وأهله، ثبتنا على الإسلام حتى نلقاك به.

“O Allaah! O Protector of Islaam and its followers! Give us steadfastness in Islaam until we meet You with it.”

These wordings have been transmitted in a Hadeeth and it is a good du`aa.

The meaning of (وليَّ الإسلام) means “Aider of Islaam”, because the “Wali” is the one who aids (helps and supports). Allaah promised His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم that He will grant victory to His religion. Allaah says:

﴿هُوَ الَّذِى أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ شَهِيداً﴾

{He it is Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, that He may make it superior to all religions. And All-Sufficient is Allah as a Witness.} [Surah al-Fath (48): 28]

He also said:

﴿إِنَّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ فِى الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ يَقُومُ الاٌّشْهَـدُ﴾

{Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe in this world's life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth} [Surah Ghaafir (40): 51]

Similar to it is His saying at the end of Surah al-Saaffaat:

﴿وَلَقَدْ سَبَقَتْ كَلِمَتُنَا لِعِبَادِنَا الْمُرْسَلِينَ - إِنَّهُمْ لَهُمُ الْمَنصُورُونَ - وَإِنَّ جُندَنَا لَهُمُ الْغَـلِبُونَ﴾

{And, verily, Our Word has gone forth of old for Our servants, the Messengers; that they verily would be made triumphant, and that Our hosts! They verily would be the victors.} [Surah al-Saaffaat (37): 171-173]

So his (al-Tahaawee’s) saying (اللهم يا وليَّ الإسلام وأهله) means: “OAllaah! The One who grants victory to Islaam and its followers”. Allaah has promised victory to His religion and to the followers of Islaam. And verily, Allaah’s promise is true.

We ask Allaah (the One) who has promised victory for His religion and victory for the followers of Islaam, that He keeps us firm upon this religion till we meet Him; and that He makes us see this victory (when it comes); and the miracles of His words; and that the flag (of Islaam) is raised high. He, all Glory be to Him, has power over everything.

Shaykh Mohammad Nasiruddeen Al-Albaanee said:

This du`aa is narrated in Marfu` form (i.e. its chain of narration is raised up to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم) as has been mentioned in “Silsilat al-Hadeeth Al-Saheehah”, Hadeeth # 1823. (This Hadeeth is also mentioned by Tabarani).

Shaykh Saleh Al-Fowzaan said:

This is one of the best sayings of the author (i.e. al-Tahaawee), Allaah have Mercy on him. For when he mentioned this great and sensitive issues (of Islaam, Imaan and kufr), he asked Allaah for steadfastness (upon His religion). That Allaah does not misguide him along with those whom He has misguided or the people of these deviated sayings. This (du`aa) is from his (the author’s proper) understanding (of the religion) and his wisdom. A person should not be deceived by the knowledge he possesses by saying: “I know Tawheed, and I know (the correct) `Aqeedah, thus I am in no danger (of committing shirk)”. This is nothing but arrogance; rather he should fear of having a bad/evil ending or getting misguided. He should fear that he might be led astray by the people of misguidance. How many good people have deviated, especially when the fitan (trials) have increased? A man would be a Muslim in the morning and an unbeliever in the evening or he would be a believer in the evening and an unbeliever in the morning, and would sell his faith for worldly goods as has been reported in the Hadeeth. ⁽¹⁾

So, when the fitan (trials) appear, a person should ask Allaah for steadfastness (in religion)⁽²⁾.He should not say: “I am not in danger (of committing major sins). I know (my religion) and I pray.” Yes! You might be knowledgeable and you might be praying, and all Praise is for Allaah. But you are in danger and you should fear (that you may commit some major sins). Are you better or Prophet Ibraaheem عليه السلام? He said:

﴿وَاجْنُبْنِى وَبَنِىَّ أَن نَّعْبُدَ الاٌّصْنَام﴾

{(O Allaah!) …and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols} [Surah Ibraaheem (14): 35]

Ibraaheem عليه السلام feared for himself from worshipping the idols; even though he was the one who broke the idols and shattered them with his own hands, because of which he suffered the punishment and humiliation, all for the sake of Allaah. With all this, he still said:

﴿وَاجْنُبْنِى وَبَنِىَّ أَن نَّعْبُدَ الاٌّصْنَام﴾

{(O Allaah!) …and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols} [Surah Ibraaheem (14): 35]

He did not say: “ I am now saved”. Rather, he requested Allaah to protect him and his sons from worshipping the idols. A man should fear his Lord at all times. How many guided people have gone astray?  And how many people have deviated from the Straight Path? How many Believers have become Kaafirs and apostates? And how many deviated people have been guided by Allaah? And how many Kuffaars have become Muslims? Verily, the matter is in the Hands of Allaah (to decide).

(1) Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Be prompt in doing good deeds (before you are overtaken) by turbulence which would be like a part of the dark night. During (that stormy period) a man would be a Muslim in the morning and an unbeliever in the evening or he would be a believer in the evening and an unbeliever in the morning, & would sell his faith for worldly goods” [Sahih Muslim]

فعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: بادروا بالأعمال فتناً كقطع الليل المظلم، يصبح الرجل مؤمناً ويمسي كافراً، أو يمسي مؤمناً ويصبح كافراً، يبيع دينه بعرض من الدنيا - أخرجه مسلم (رقم118)

(2) Narrated Anas: Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم used to say quite frequently: “O Turner of the heart, keep me steadfast in your religion.” A man said: Allah's Apostle, “we do affirm faith in you and in that which you have been sent with. (Despite this) you entertain fear about us.” Whereupon he said: “Yes. Verily the hearts are between two Fingers from the Fingers of Allah and He turns them as He likes.” [Ibn Majah, Authenticated by Shaykh Al-Albaanee]

عن أنس بن مالك قال كان رسول اللَّه صلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يكثر أن يقول اللَّهُمَّ ثبت قلبي على دينك فقال رجل يا رسول اللَّه تخاف علينا وقد منَّا بك وصدّقناك بما جئت به فقال إنّ القلوب بين إصبعين من أصابع الرّحمن عزّ وجل يقلّبها وأشار الأعمش بإصبعيه – رواه ابن ماجه وصححه الألباني

Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As: Abdullah heard Allah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم as saying: “Verily, the hearts of all the sons of Adam are between the two fingers out of the fingers of the Compassionate Lord as one heart. He turns that to any (direction) He likes.” Then Allah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم said:  “O Allah, the Turner of the hearts, turn our hearts to Thine obedience.” [Sahih Muslim]

      وقد أخرجه مسلم عن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص رضي الله عنهما أنه سمع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: "إن قلوب بني آدم كلها بين إصبعين من أصابع الرحمن، كقلب واحد، يصرفه حيث يشاء". ثم قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "اللهم مصرف القلوب صرف قلوبنا على طاعتك" أخرجه مسلم (رقم2654).