Ferrari Plus Value Dua’a

As-salaamu alaykum,

I will be sharing with you 1 outstanding dua’a learned through 1 outstanding story, in shaa Allah.

The family of Abu Salamah –may Allah be pleased with them- was known to be a family full of love, respect and eman. They were the first family to apply the command of Allah –subhanahu wa ta’ala- and His prophet –salla Allahu alayhe wa sallam- which was to immigrate from Makkah to Madinah.

While they were in Madinah, Abu Salamah came back home all excited and said to his wife, Umm Salamah: “I have heard today from the prophet –salla Allahu alayhe wa sallam- words that are more beloved to me than being given red camels [i.e. being given the most precious type of ride known! In our times it would perhaps be a Ferrari or so].”

• So what he is saying is: if I had the option to either learn these few words, which he just heard from the prophet –salla Allahu alayhe wa sallam-, or be given all the wealth in the world he would chose to learn these words. Allahu akbar! WOW!

Umm Salamah asked: “What is it that you heard Abu Salamah?”

Abu Salamah responded with stating the dua’a the prophet –salla Allahu alayhe wa sallam- taught his companions. This dua’a can be found in Saheeh Muslim as follows:

The Prophet –salla Allahu alayhe wa sallam- said:

• “ما من مسلمٍ تصيبُه مصيبةٌ
  • There is no Muslim that is afflicted with an affliction
• فيقولُ : ما أمره اللهُ :
  • And says what Allah ordered him or her to say
    • إنَّا للهِ وإنَّا إليه راجعون .
      • To Allah we belong and to Allah we shall return
      • Inna lil-laahi wa ennaa elayhe raje’oon
    • اللهمَّ ! أْجُرْني في مصيبتي
      • O Allah reward me for my affliction
      • Allahumma-ajurnee fee muSebatee
    • وأَخْلِفْ لي خيرًا منها
      • And give me in exchange for it (i.e. the affliction) something that is better than it
      • Wa ‘akhlef lee khairun menhaa
  • إلَّا آجَرَهُ اللهُ في مصيبَتِهِ
    • Except that Allah would reward him or her for the affliction
  •  وأَخْلَفَ اللهُ لَهُ خيرًا منها
    • And Allah would give him or her something better than it in exchange.

Back to the story: After sometime what happened? Umm Salamah faced one of the most tragic events a married woman who was blessed with a respectful and caring husband may ever face which was the death of Abu Salamah.

She said: “When Abu Salamah died I said what the prophet –salla Allahu alayhe wa sallam- ordered those who have been afflicted with a calamity to say: To Allah we belong and to Allah we shall return. O Allah reward me for my affliction…”

And then she was about to say the last and 3^rd part of the dua’a but she paused and said: “I was about to say: “give me something better than it in exchange.” But then said to (myself): And who is better than Abu Salamah?”

• Basically, she is saying what can I be given that would replace Abu Salamah. What amount of money, or what man would propose or what good in the world that can happen to her life that would be better than having Abu Salamah as her husband. She knows that she is now widowed, got old in age and already have a son.
• But with all of that, she pushed herself towards fulfilling the orders of Allah and His prophet –salla Allahu alayhe wa sallam- and she was certain that Allah is capable and will fulfill His promise and her dua.

Umm Salamah said: “ثمَّ قلتُها” “Then I said it! (i.e. وأَخْلِفْ لي خيرًا منها) [And give me in exchange for the affliction something that is better than it.”

Not too long after that, someone knocked on the door of the house of Umm Salamah. She opened the door. The person who knocked explained himself and said to Umm Salamah that he was asked by the prophet –salla Allahu alayhe wa sallam- to go to her. But why? To tell her that the prophet –salla Allahu alayhe wa sallam- is asking for her hand in marriage! (Allahu Akbar!)

• Can you imagine her facial expressions and her reaction!? May Allah allow me and youto be inJannah and have Allah show us how was her reaction when she was right at the door after hearing this :)
  • Did she cry… Did she say: “Me!? Do I really deserve it”… Did she look up in the sky and say:
    • “الْحَمْدُ لِلَّـهِ الَّذِي صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُ” Praise be to Allah the one who fulfilled His promise.
    • Allah knows best but surely it a memorable moment.

Umm Salamah accepted the proposal and said afterwards: “أبدلني الله بأبي سلمة خيرا منه ، رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم Indeed Allah has given me someone better than Abu Salam, Rasoolo Allah –salla Allahu alayhe wa sallam-.”

My dear beloved brother and sister, remember to follow the command of Allah of saying these 3 statements when facing a calamity and Allah will substitute you with something better than what you lost in addition to the great reward you will get in the afterlife for putting your trust in Allah. May Allah ease your hardships, make them means of reward and substitute you with something better than what you faced and lost.

Wassalaamu alaykum,

Your Brother Majed Mahmoud