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Like the Prophets, Raise Your Complaints to the Creator

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When the trials of this temporary life burden us, piling heavily within us, a need to release them, to complain, to call out for help urgently arises. It is a means through which we lighten the load and hopefully find some light.

The urge to release one’s complaints exists in us all, even a camel felt it. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) entered the garden of a man from the Ansar, and upon seeing him, the camel froze and its eyes watered. He (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) came to it and rubbed its ears until it calmed down. He (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) inquired about the owner and warned him to fear Allah for the camel had complained to him that ‘he starves it and tires it by overworking it and using it beyond its capacity.’ (Ahmad and Abu Dawud)

Narrated to us over and over in the Quran are stories of men before us who were tested. They were great men chosen by Allah to carry messages of Truth, but their position did not deem them safe from facing the trials of this life, thus proving that indeed the world is a place of test upon test. For if it were not, Allah would have spared such noble creation. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The people who are tested the most severely are the Prophets, then the righteous, then the next best and the next best, and a man will be tested in accordance with his level of religious commitment; the stronger his religious commitment, the more severe will be his test…” (Ahmad)

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What then was their reaction in adversity? They were created beings with a need to release, complain and ask from others. But, over and over, in the Quran it is brought to our attention that they so often convey their fears, needs and hopes to One. The One who created them.

Examining our own states for a moment, we can agree that at some point in the middle of a seemingly hopeless situation, thoughts race through our minds as to whose help we will seek. But the one who we search for is usually a created being, like you and I.

Regardless of the level of trust or love we have of such a person, they remain in this universe as creation. Sometimes they can help, but many times, they can only listen. We feel better, but it is not long when, again, we search for another person’s help. Eventually we ask: is it possible to depend on those around us to release our complaints and fulfill our needs?

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) described His Prophet Ibrahim, (alayhi salaam), as one who complained to Him, saying:

إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لَأَوَّاهٌ حَلِيم

Verily Ibrahim (Abraham) was Awwah (one who invokes Allah with humility, glorifies Him and remembers Him much) and was forbearing. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, al-Tawbah 9:114)

If such was the case of the father of Prophets, what then was the reaction of the other Prophets in hardship?

Prophet Nuh (alayhi salaam)

After facing rejection and harm from the people to his call, Nuh (alayhi salaam) turned to none but the One Who sent him:

فَدَعَا رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَغْلُوبٌ فَانتَصِرْ

So he invoked his Lord, “Indeed, I am overpowered, so help.” (al-Qamar 54:10)

When he did so, Allah responded, helped him, and drowned the disbelievers, saving only Nuh (alayhi salaam) and those who believed with him:

فَفَتَحْنَا أَبْوَابَ السَّمَاءِ بِمَاءٍ مُّنْهَمِرٍ

Then We opened the gates of the heaven with rain pouring down. (al-Qamar 54:11)

Prophet Ayyub (alayhi salaam)

Afflicted with an extremely difficult illness for many long years, loss of his wealth and family, and rejection by the people all took Prophet Ayyub (alayhi salaam) to no where and no one but the One Who tested him:

وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَى رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينََ

And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, “Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.” (al-Anbiyaa’ 21:83)

Crying out to Allah in complaint, mentioning that which one has been afflicted with, does not contradict the meaning of patience, rather it is part of worship and submission to Allah. Ayyub (alayhi salaam) mentioned his affliction, and Allah praised his example by mentioning his invocation in the Quran.

When he knew that none would help him save his Lord, Allah responded, granting him relief:

فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِ مِن ضُرٍّ ۖ وَآتَيْنَاهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَابِدِين

So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity. And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers [of Allah]. (al-Anbiyaa’ 21:84)

Prophet Yunus (alayhi salaam)

Overwhelmed by layers of darkness; darknesses of the sea, the night and the stomach of the whale, Prophet Yunus (alayhi salaam) never lost hope in Allah’s Mercy. He had none to call out to except Him (subhanahu wa ta’ala), and he truthfully did:

وَذَا النُّونِ إِذ ذَّهَبَ مُغَاضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَن لَّن نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَىٰ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ أَن لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

And [mention] the man of the fish, when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darknesses,”There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.” (al-Anbiyaa 21:87)

From the depth of the ocean, his lips moved in a supplication that we recite till this day in the Book of Allah. This is the same supplication that our Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) prescribed for he who is distressed:

لاَّ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ أَنتَ سُبْحَـنَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّـلِمِينَ

Laa illaaha illa Anta Subhanaka inni kuntu min adh-dhalimeen
There is nothing worthy of worship but You, How exalted You are above all that they associate with You! Truly, I have been of the wrongdoers.

The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said about it: “No Muslim ever prays to his Lord with these words for anything, but He will answer his prayer.” (Ahmad) And in another report:  “I know words that will cause Allah to remove one’s distress. These are the words (of supplication) of my brother Yunus, peace be upon him.” (Tirmidhi)

When Yunus (alayhi salaam) released such powerful words, Allah’s Help arrived:

فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْغَمِّ وَكَذَلِكَ نُنجِي الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers. (al-Anbiyaa 21:88)

Prophet Zakariyya (alayhi salaam)

The example of the Prophet of Allah, Zakariyya (alayhi salaam), in pleading and crying out to none but Allah (subhanahu wata’ala) is one of unfaltering faith and hope in Allah alone. His moving words, pleading, and begging his Lord move the hearts of those who recite them. His certainty in Allah’s response and expectation of good from Allah, despite what stood in his way as ‘obstacles’ to his need help eliminate feelings of despair in every troubled believer.

ذِكْرُ رَحْمَتِ رَبِّكَ عَبْدَهُ زَكَرِيَّا

إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ نِدَاءً خَفِيًّا
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَهَنَ الْعَظْمُ مِنِّي وَاشْتَعَلَ الرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُن بِدُعَائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا
وَإِنِّي خِفْتُ الْمَوَالِيَ مِن وَرَائِي وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا فَهَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا

يَرِثُنِي وَيَرِثُ مِنْ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ ۖ وَاجْعَلْهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّاَ

[This is] a mention of the mercy of your Lord to His servant Zachariyya
When he called to his Lord a private supplication.
He said, “My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened, and my head has filled with white, and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy.
And indeed, I fear the successors after me, and my wife has been barren, so give me from Yourself an heir.
Who will inherit me and inherit from the family of Jacob. And make him, my Lord, pleasing [to You].”

Standing in the way of  receiving what he asked for are weak bones, old age, and a wife who is barren. In addition, he knows that his people are in need of prophets after him to pass on the message. His need is great and his relentless supplication strong. After complaining and describing his situation to One Who knows it better than himself, the gates were opened and his need was fulfilled:

يَا زَكَرِيَّا إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَامٍ اسْمُهُ يَحْيَىٰ لَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُ مِن قَبْلُ سَمِيًّاَ

[He was told], “O Zachariyya, indeed We give you good tidings of a boy whose name will be John. We have not assigned to any before [this] name.” (Maryam 19:2-7)

Some of the scholars said: Be like a young child who wants something from his father, and when his father refuses, he sits at his feet crying to him.

Be the same if you ask your Lord, and if you don’t get it, sit and cry to Allah for it.

Prophet Ya’qub (alayhi salaam)

The bitter pain of losing one’s offspring, a beloved, most upright son, along with his younger brother, depicts the trial of Prophet Ya’qub.  Long years shadowed in grief and sorrow passed. He shed tears until his sight was lost, but what was not lost was hope and complaint to his Creator. Reprimanded by family for being too hard on himself, he firmly responds with words that abridge the message of this post:

قَالَ إِنَّمَا أَشْكُو بَثِّي وَحُزْنِي إِلَى اللَّهِ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونََ

He said, “I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you do not know.” (Yusuf 12:86)

Indeed, he did not complain to them, for they were mere humans who grow tired of the complaint of their brethren. He called out to One Whose pleasure increases when He is asked of.

Prophet Ya’qub’s word ‘bathee’ in the ayah refers to his greatest and most severe type of grief, whose difficulty makes one unable to restrain himself from releasing it and complaining about it.
When he turned to Allah, Allah helped him and he was reunited with his sons in an honored state:

فَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ آوَىٰ إِلَيْهِ أَبَوَيْهِ وَقَالَ ادْخُلُوا مِصْرَ إِن شَاءَ اللَّهُ آمِنِين
وَرَفَعَ أَبَوَيْهِ عَلَى الْعَرْشَِ

And when they entered upon Joseph, he took his parents to himself and said, “Enter Egypt, Allah willing, safe [and secure].”
And he raised his parents upon the throne (Yusuf 12:99,100)

Prophet Yusuf (alayhi salaam)

The father was tested and patient and so was his son. Yusuf, son of Prophet Ya’qub (alayhema salaam), faced with trials from which true faith shone, enlightening us with many lessons.
He prayed to Allah in the dark well, the palace, and in the dreary prison. Every time, Allah helped him and saved him. When he was enticed by the wife of Al-Azeez to tread the forbidden, he turned to Allah praying:

قَالَ رَبِّ السِّجْنُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا يَدْعُونَنِي إِلَيْهِ ۖ وَإِلَّا تَصْرِفْ عَنِّي كَيْدَهُنَّ أَصْبُ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَأَكُن مِّنَ الْجَاهِلِينََ

He said, “My Lord, prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me. And if You do not avert from me their plan, I might incline toward them and [thus] be of the ignorant.” (Yusuf 12:33).

He was helpless, in need of aid. When he sought it from Allah, He rescued him:

فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ فَصَرَفَ عَنْهُ كَيْدَهُنَّ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

So his Lord responded to him and averted from him their plan. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing. (Yusuf 12:34).

The one time, in his series of trials, that Yusuf (alayhi salaam) spoke in an attempt to seek the help of the creation, it was of no benefit to him.  This occurred when he told his companion in prison to mention him to the king so that perhaps he would be relieved from the prison. He told him:

وَقَالَ لِلَّذِي ظَنَّ أَنَّهُ نَاجٍ مِّنْهُمَا اذْكُرْنِي عِندَ رَبِّكَ

And he said to the one whom he knew would go free, “Mention me before your master.”

But the desired result was not fulfilled as Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) tells us:

فَأَنسَاهُ الشَّيْطَانُ ذِكْرَ رَبِّهِ فَلَبِثَ فِي السِّجْنِ بِضْعَ سِنِينََ

But Satan made him forget the mention [to] his master, and Joseph remained in prison several years. (Yusuf 12:42)

What was of true benefit was pleading to his Lord for His Help. In fact, Allah relieved Yusuf’s situation in a manner that no human could ever plan or even attempt to plan: a dream seen by the king and his insistence on having it interpreted. At this, Yusuf’s previous companion from the prison recalls Yusuf and his ability to interpret dreams. This was from Allah Alone.

Eventually, the good end was for him, as he left the prison honored, granted royalty. Not forgetting his Lord in times of ease, He again turned to Allah in praise, gratitude and supplication:

رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِي مِنَ الْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِي مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ ۚ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِيِّي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ۖ تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينََ

“My Lord, You have given me [something] of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous.” (Yusuf 12:101)

Prophet Musa (alayhi salaam)

Musa (alayhi salaam), a strong Prophet, also faced difficulty. But his strength did not prevent him from humbling himself to Allah and seeking His assistance.
Although, he is an exhausted stranger, with no place of refuge, he maintains a high level of ihsaan. He helps the two women water their flocks, seeking no fee or reward of them. He does not complain to the other shepherds present of his situation. Rather, he sits in the shade, realizes his desperate state and complains to One:

فَسَقَىٰ لَهُمَا ثُمَّ تَوَلَّىٰ إِلَى الظِّلِّ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ

So he watered [their flocks] for them; then he went back to the shade and said, “My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need.” (al-Qasas 28:24)

His prayer, an attestation of weakness and reliance on Allah alone rightfully illustrates our need for Allah in every situation. The poor complain to the rich, and from the names of Allah is Al-Ghanniy (Rich, free of all needs), hence there is no shame in supplicating to Allah describing one’s distress.

When trials surround us and we begin to think of our need for the most fit person to ‘get us out’, we are really in need of a moment to reflect on Allah’s prophets and their turning to Allah in the most dire of moments. Most needed at such times is a pause to withhold our complaints, fears, and worries from the people and turn continuously to the One Above. As it is said, the  more you knock, the door will eventually be opened for you.

فَابْتَغُوا عِندَ اللَّهِ الرِّزْقَ

So seek from Allah provision. (al-‘Ankabut 29:17)

Those who we sometimes run after hoping they would help us in some way are mere humans like us in weakness. In turning our affairs to Allah, not only will He help us sooner or later, but He will fill our hearts with peace and tranquility that no one around you can ever give you even an ounce of.

Allah tests His slave to hear him beseeching and invoking in complete humility and submission. It is true that Allah knows our complaints before we even speak of them, but He loves that we humble ourselves in front of Him. He Knows that it is better for us.

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) described those who do not turn to Him saying,

وَلَقَدْ أَخَذْنَاهُم بِالْعَذَابِ فَمَا اسْتَكَانُوا لِرَبِّهِمْ وَمَا يَتَضَرَّعُونَ

And We had gripped them with suffering [as a warning], but they did not yield to their Lord, nor did they humbly supplicate, [and will continue thus] (al-Mu’minun 23:76)

As the Prophets were the most tested, the Best of Creation was too. Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) led a life that was difficult yet filled with the tranquility that comes with closeness to Allah and reliance upon Him. His complaints were great in matters of this deen, related to the whole ummah. His ultimate worry was the message with which he was sent.

His reaction in the many hardships he encountered was turning to Allah. How could he not when he was the teacher of these powerful words to Ibn Abbas (radhiAllahu anhu):

“Young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice]: Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah. Know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” (Tirmidhi)

Be among the strong and withhold seeking your needs from the creation. But, in front of your Creator, subhanahu wa ta’ala, expose your weakness and release your complaints just like the Prophets.

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Mariam is of Middle Eastern origin, raised in North America, not quite settling in one specific place. After living up in the North of North America, she has shifted continents and currently residing in a rapidly flourishing, historical city located in the desert of Arabia. She is a recent graduate of the American Open University, with a Bachelors in Islamic Studies. She believes that regardless of where a person is, writing is a tool to reach out and express that which inspires, touches and affects them. So she writes; perhaps that which inspires her will be a source of good for at least one other person.

27 Comments

27 Comments

  1. al-suyuufi

    December 24, 2010 at 12:49 AM

    There’s also this one thing that the Prophet Muhammad salallahu alayhi wasallam used to do…I believe it was called seeking nusrah from the tribes of the 3arab…

    Reply

  2. Yahya Ibrahim

    December 24, 2010 at 12:53 AM

    Masha Allah tabark Allah

    Great reminder and always relevant.

    To complete the benefit:

    Always join Praise of Allah and prayers of peace upon the prophet (s) before and after the complaint to Allah (swt).

    The “THANAA – Amplified praise” of Allah should always proceed and conclude our request from Allah.

    You can see this in all of the wonderful examples that you have provided, alhamdulilah.

    Great job, Masha allah

    Yahya Ibrahim
    http://www.facebook.com/yahya.adel.ibrahim

    Reply

    • Mariam E.

      December 25, 2010 at 8:02 AM

      Jazakum Allah khayr Shaykh for adding this beneficial reminder.

      Reply

  3. Your sister

    December 24, 2010 at 6:14 AM

    Salamualaikum wr wb!

    JazakAllah Khair dear sister Mariam for this much needed reminder!! :)
    may AllahSWT accept it from you and bestow His mercy on you and the ummah in this world and akhira!

    Reply

  4. Hafsah

    December 24, 2010 at 6:25 AM

    Jazakallahu Khayran for the beautiful reminder! :) MashaAllah you’ve presented it wonderfully!

    Reply

  5. Rafa

    December 24, 2010 at 8:26 AM

    Jazak Allah for the article, really beneficial!

    Reply

  6. Sadaf Farooqi

    December 24, 2010 at 11:30 AM

    Loved this article.
    Barak Allahu feeki, Mariam.

    Reply

  7. Rifaie

    December 24, 2010 at 8:32 PM

    MashAllah great article , may it benefit us all

    Reply

  8. Hiba

    December 24, 2010 at 9:05 PM

    excellent article indeed!
    Jazakillahu khairan katheera

    Reply

  9. Sister

    December 24, 2010 at 9:17 PM

    Jazakillahu khairaan sister ..Mashaallah excellent article.

    Reply

  10. Safiyyah

    December 25, 2010 at 6:22 AM

    As Salaamu Alaikum: Well done. This article is a reminder of the essence of Tawheed ur-Ruboobiyah: that Allaah t’ala is Alone in His actions – of being Creator, Provider, and Disposer of everyone and everything.

    Reply

  11. ummmanar

    December 25, 2010 at 12:37 PM

    as salaamu alaikum sister maryam I have always enjoyed your posts.mashallah good work keep it up and thankyou for this beautiful remider.subhanallah I was listenig to shaykh Navaid aziz lecture of the one who has no bady he has allah,this article also goes with it beautifully .

    Reply

  12. Abu Ubayday

    December 25, 2010 at 7:35 PM

    jazaka’Allah khair!

    Reply

  13. Me

    December 26, 2010 at 1:04 PM

    Jazaki Allahu khairan sister.

    Reply

  14. shiney

    December 26, 2010 at 1:29 PM

    really nice reminder sister! May Allah Bless you for writing this! and May He make us all among those who are patient and call for His Help. Ameen :)

    Reply

  15. Leo

    December 27, 2010 at 5:00 AM

    Now we know that the more righteous we are the more severe our test; what would your advice be to the person who after reading this article thinks “well maybe I won’t try to be so righteous as I don’t want to be tested so severely”. Secondly what would your advice be to the person who after reading this thinks “my life is easy, Alhamdulillah, I have not been tested severely- does this mean Im not righteous?” Jazakillah khairan, I eagerly await your reply.

    Reply

    • Mariam E.

      December 27, 2010 at 7:19 AM

      Asalamu Alikum warahmatu Allah,

      Good questions, and I’d love to see them answered by a qualified person. Meanwhile, a few thoughts come to mind.

      For the first question:
      “well maybe I won’t try to be so righteous as I don’t want to be tested so severely”

      Such a question reflects that perhaps we haven’t clearly understood our purpose in this life and our goal. We all know that the ultimate goal that every believer works towards is Jannah, yet the above statement is a clear indication that one may have forgotten or lost track of their goal.

      Righteousness and closeness to Allah are obtained through Eman and Taqwa. For a person to make the decision that they won’t try to be righteous means that they will either intentionally abstain from good deeds or intentionally fall into some sins in order to lower their levels of Eman and taqwa.

      If they choose such a path, they must realize that they are dealing with their Lord, who is the Most Merciful, but also severe in punishment. How can they plan to not be among they righteous, when Allah Knows what is in their heart? How can they be sure that with such an intention and plan they would leave this world on the straight path?

      Perhaps it is a result of feeling over-secure from the plan of Allah and not Knowing Him. The Messenger of Allah (sallaAllahu alayhe wasallam), the best of all Creation, the most righteous of all of us, was not even so sure of his actions. He told his Companions: “None of you will enter Paradise by his deeds alone.” They asked:  “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Not even me, unless Allah covers me with His Grace and Mercy” [Muslim].

      Another thing that a person must realize is that righteousness and good deeds are one of the greatest sources of happiness, contentment and blessings in this life. Many ayat of the Quran prove this, such as the saying of Allah ta’ala:

      Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do. (al-Nahl 16:97).

      A final point related to this question; perhaps intentionally avoiding the path of righteousness would result such a person in sins that would grant him punishments in this life as well as the Hereafter. A simple look at the example of the previous nations and how they were punished in this life serves as a powerful reminder.

      As for the second question:
      “my life is easy, Alhamdulillah, I have not been tested severely- does this mean Im not righteous?”

      Allah ta’ala tests us with both good and bad. “And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.” (al-Anbiyaa 21:35)

      An easy time in life is also a test in many different ways such as, a test of gratitude, of upholding remembrance of Allah, of not being proud… So a Muslim has to be alert in both times.

      We should never desire tests and afflictions either, in fact that we should seek refuge with Allah from afflictions and ask him for ‘aafiya or safety from them. Our Prophet (sallaAllahu alayhe wasallam) used to repeat many du’aas in which he sought Allah’s refuge from the trials of this life, such as debt, worry, grief, illness and being oppressed to name a few.

      One such beautiful du’aa in which the Prophet (sallaAllahu alayhe wasallam) asked Allah to keep His blessings upon him was:

      اللهم إني أعوذ بك من زوال نعمتك وتحول عافيتك وفجاءة نقمتك وجميع سخطك

      Allahumma inni a’authu bika min zawaali ni’matik wa ta7awulli ‘afiyatik wa fujaa’ati niqmatik wa jamee’ sakhatik.

      O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the withdrawal of Your blessing and the change of Your protection from me and from Your sudden wrath, and from every displeasure of Yours. (Muslim).
      waAllahu ta’ala A’lam

      Reply

  16. Amatullah

    December 27, 2010 at 1:24 PM

    Jazaki Allahu khayran for this article Mariam. MashaAllah, it is written beautifully and I benefited greatly from it. Baarak Allahu feeki.

    Reply

  17. The Critically Cognitive

    December 27, 2010 at 1:41 PM

    Du’a al-Taif, made at the lowest moment in the life of the Prophet SAAWS

    http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/isra/Dua_Taif.htm

    Reply

    • HadithCheck

      December 27, 2010 at 5:20 PM

      Du’a al-Taif,

      Assalam Alaikum brother,

      This du’a of Ta’if is Weak. The incident of when the Prophet peace be upon him went to Ta’if to call them to Islam is authentic (read the hadith below), but this du’a which the Prophet peace be upon him supposedly made after this incident is not authentic and is only reported in a Weak narration.

      ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon Him): “Have you ever faced any day more difficult than the day of Uhud?” He said: “I suffered at the hands of your people and the worst that I suffered was what I suffered at their hands on the day of ‘Aqabah. That was when I went to call Ibn ‘Abd Yaalayl ibn ‘Abd al-Kalaal to Islam, and he did not respond. I left, feeling depressed and hardly knowing where I was going. I did not recover until I found myself in Qarn al-Tha‘aalib. I raised my head and saw that I was being shaded by a cloud. I looked, and saw Jibreel in the cloud. He called me and said: ‘Allah has heard what your people said and how they responded to you. He has sent the Angel of the Mountains so that you can tell him to do to them whatever you want.’ The Angel of the Mountains called me and greeted me, then said: ‘O Muhammad, tell me what you want me to do. If you want, I can crush them between two mountains.’” The Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon Him) said: “All I hope for is that Allah will bring forth from their loins people who will worship Allah alone and not associate any partner with Him.” (Reported by Bukhari; 3231).

      Reply

  18. HadithCheck

    December 27, 2010 at 4:48 PM

    Allahu Akbar! A great reminder for us to follow in the footsteps of our Prophets peace be upon them.

    As the Prophet peace be upon him said: “Du’a is worship.” (related by Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)

    Another very beautiful point of benefit which Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyah rahimahullah pointed out to is regarding Prophet Zakariyyah’s saying (وَلَمْ أَكُن بِدُعَائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا) [and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy], may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Ibn Taymiyah notes that Zakariyyah called upon Allah with the fact that he was never unhappy or disappointed when he had called upon Allah in all the previous times. Meaning, he was asking Allah by stating the fact that Allah has always answered his supplication before and he was never unhappy. Subhan Allah! I’m not sure if this point got across and is clear, for I am not Ibn Taymiyah and English is not Arabic, but this is a beautiful point to ponder and reflect upon and provides a beautiful benefit for us to learn from.

    قال شيخ الإسلام إبن تيمية رحمه الله تعالى في كلامه عن الآية (وَلَمْ أَكُن بِدُعَائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا):

    المعنى أنك عودتني إجابتك و لم تشقني بالرد والحرمان، فهو توسل إليه – سبحانه وتعالى– بما سلف من إجابته و إحسانه

    Reply

  19. Sarah

    December 28, 2010 at 3:40 PM

    I absolutely love this article mashaAllah! JazakiAllahu khayrn for benefit after reminder, mashaAllah.

    Reply

  20. Ify Okoye

    December 28, 2010 at 7:27 PM

    Jazaki’Allah khayr Mariam, beautiful and much needed reminder. Your writing is a gem, masha’Allah tabarak’Allah, may Allah increase you in goodness and benefit to the people.

    Reply

  21. Mariam E.

    December 29, 2010 at 11:20 AM

    Asalamu Alikum

    May Allah reward you all for your kind words and du’aas and grant you all good in this life and the Hereafter.

    Reply

  22. Abu Maryam Shiraz Azad

    February 1, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    Jazakallahu Kharian, I read sister Maryam’s article (in the Saudi Newspaper) at a time I myself going through (I thought) a very tough time in my career life. Alhamdulillaah, its very comforting and a great reminder to all of us.

    May Allah reward the writer and all those who shared their views.

    Abu Maryam Shiraz Azad

    Reply

  23. Pingback: Like the Prophets, Raise Your Complaints to the Creator « amfa89

  24. Juliana

    May 12, 2017 at 4:19 PM

    Assalamualaikum. Thank you for this article. I started Googling after watching one of the videos in the YouTube channel ‘DawahIsEasy’ where Dr Fazal Rahman was doing dawah to a film producer. He mentioned in the video how Prophet Muhammad said don’t complain to people, and only to complain to God (Allah). Found this by instinct, but now its much clearer ie with the video, and this article. Thank you MasyaAllah.

    Reply

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