Sajdah-e-Tilaawah

Sajdah-e-Tilaawah

Holy Quran: Ayats (verses) Requiring Sajda-e-Tilawat

Points of Sajdah Tilawat in the Holy Quran

There are 14 places in the Sacred Book of Allah (SUBHANAHU WA TAALA) where the Prostration of Recitation becomes obligatory to perform which are:

1. Surah Al A’Raf (7) Ayat 206

2. Surah Al Ra’d (13) Ayat 15

3. Surah Al Nahl (16) Ayat 50

4. Surah Bani Israil (17) Ayat 109

5. Surah Maryum (19) Ayat 58

6. Surah Al Haj (22) Ayat 18

7. Surah Al Farqan (25) Ayat 60

8. Surah Al Naml (27) Ayat 26

9. Surah As Sajdah (32) Ayat 15

10. Surah Sa’d (38) Ayat 24

11. Surah Hamim Sajdah (41) Ayat 38

12. Surah Al Najam (53) Ayat 62

13. Surah Inshiqaq (84) Ayat 21

14. Surah Al Alaq (96) Ayat 19

In the second last Ayah of Surah Haj, i.e. Chapter 22; Verse 77, one is not liable to perform Sajdah as the Command of Allah (SUBHANAHU WA TAALA) in this Verse is solely about prayers.

Regulations Concerning Sajdah Tilawat

Since, the Prostration of Recitation has been greatly emphasized on the believers to perform; therefore, it requires one to follow a set of guidelines and instructions regarding this religious duty.

i) Obligatory to carry out only on those who are of the age of performing Salah. In other words, children are exempt from execution of Sajdah Tilawat.

ii) If an Ayah containing the order of prostration comes in the recitation while being in a state of congregational prayer, it has to be performed right away in the same Salah. But if it is recited outside the state of Namaz, it could be acted upon later on.

iii) If, due to forgetfulness, Sajdah is skipped in prayer, one should ask the Most Merciful for Mercy.

iv) If one hears the Imam having recited the Quranic Verse containing Sajdah and already accomplished it, but it joins the afterwards, it should perform Prostration of Recitation after Namaz. However, if a person joins that very same Rakah of prostration, then there is no need to perform it afterwards as Imam has already achieved it.

v) One is not liable to carry out Sajdah Tilawat if it recites a particular Verse in its mind without raising its voice.

vi) If an Ayah containing sajdah is repeated many times in the same session, only one Prostration of Recitation is to be done. However in different sittings, one is to perform Sajdah Tilawat according to its number.

vii) One cannot execute Prostration of Recitation at the same place over the Holy Quran at the time of its narration. It has to be performed separately like carrying out a Salah.

These are some of the guiding principles concerning Sajdah Tilawat which need to be kept in mind.

HOW TO PERFORM SAJDA-E-TILAWAT

Sajda Tilaawat will be performed like a normal Sajda. Wudhu is a condition.

There is no Sajdah Tilaawat when the Aayat of Sajdah is heard on tape.

Face the Qiblah and without raising the hands, recite Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar), going down in the Sajda position. In Sajda, recite Subhaana rabbiyal a'alaa at least 3 times. Thereafter, reciting the Takbeer if you wish to. If you wish, you may arise from the Sajda position into the Tashahhud position. The Sajdah Tilaawat is now complete. There is no need for Salaam.

SIGNIFICANCE, METHOD AND REGULATIONS OF SAJDAH (PROSTRATION) TILAWAT

The Islamic Conviction calls for believing in One God, i.e. Allah (SUBHANAHU WA TAALA) and worshiping Him alone. In this regard, Sajdah (Prostration) is a great act of attaining Nearness to the Almighty Lord and weakening the influence of Satan. Muslims all over the world perform this necessary action of completion of Islamic Faith which is the personification of one`s dependence on One Allah (SUBHANAHU WA TAALA) in all matters of life and beyond. The Messenger of God, Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ explained the high significance of Sajdah Tilawat in the following way:

“Once, a person prostrates himself after reading a verse requiring the performance of sajdah, the shaitan starts crying and wailing in a corner, saying: ‘Alas! The children of Adam were enjoined to perform sajdah and they carried it out, and become entitled to enter Paradise, but I refused to do so and was condemned to Hell.'” (Muslim and Ibn Majah)

Satan was the one who did not prostrate in front of Adam and refused to fulfill the command of Allah (SUBHANAHU WA TAALA). Therefore, it does not like when a Muslim observes this obligatory deed which results in the attainment of Jannah (Paradise) in the hereafter. Therefore, it means that Rasulullah ﷺ has regarded Sajdah as a great means of making Shaitan fragile which ultimately leads to seeking Pleasure of the Creator of the world of the worlds.

Sajdah Tilawat is the form of prostration that one has to execute in front of Allah (SUBHANAHU WA TAALA) while reading or hearing the recitation of specific parts of the Holy Quran. It is one of the essential rights of Furqan e Hameed, which every believer has to carry out.

Prerequisites Of Sajdah Tilawat

The necessary requirements for the rightful completion of this indispensable act of Prostration of Recitation are as follows:

1. Maintaining complete cleanliness in terms of both body and clothes

2. Choosing a hygienic place

3. Facing towards Qiblah

4. Making a Niyah (clear intention) of Sajdah

Procedure Of Sajdah Tilawat

The method of performing Sajdah Tilawat can be observed in the following Hadith:

“When you have recited a verse requiring sajdah tilawat, you should go down for sajdah with Allahu-Akbar and rise from sajdah with Allahu-Akbar, which may be performed sitting, though it is preferable to prostrate oneself from the standing position.” (Abu Dawood)

The above mentioned Saying of Rasulullah ﷺ gives the basic outline of carrying out the Prostration of Recitation which is:

1. Facing the Qiblah

2. Expression of the necessary Intention of Sajdah

‘Nawaytu Sajdatut Tilaawati lillahi Ta’ala’

1. Going down to prostration position after saying “Allahu Akbar” and pronouncing ‘Subhaana Rabbiyal A’ala‘ three times

2. Rising up from Sajdah with “Allahu Akbar”

It is Mustahab (desirable) to start from a standing position, however, one can also perform Sajdah Tilawat whilst sitting.

Forbidden Occasions Of Performing Sajdah Tilawat

There are some moments in during day in which the Prostration of Recitation becomes void and one is Makrooh (prohibited) from accomplishing it in these instances. These are:

1. At the time of sunrise

2. When the Sun has set high (at noon)

3. And at the juncture of setting of the Sun

In short, Sajdah Tilawat is the form of both fulfillment of religious obligation of prostrating in front of Allah (SUBHANAHU WA TAALA) as well as accomplishment of the important right of the Holy Quran. It results in getting the Happiness of the Almighty Lord and leads to fading of the satanic power of manipulating one`s thoughts.

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION
Question: Is it mandatory to make sajdah-e-tilaawah when reciting one of the fourteen sajdah verses of the Qur'an?

A: Through reciting an aayat of sajdah, it becomes waajib upon a person to make sajdah. However, one does not have to make the sajdah immediately, rather one has the choice of making the sajdah at the time of reciting the aayat of sajdah or at anytime later on.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

( وهي على التراخي ) على المختار ويكره تأخيرها تنزيها ويكفيه أن يسجد عدد ما عليه بلا تعيين ويكون مؤديا وتسقط بالحيض والردة ( إن لم تكن صلوية ) فعلى الفور لصيرورتها جزءا منها

قال الشامي : قوله ( على المختار ) كذا في النهر والإمداد وهذا عند محمد وعند أبي يوسف على الفور هما روايتان عن الإمام أيضا كذا في العناية قال في النهر وينبغي أن يكون محل الخلاف في الإثم وعدمه حتى لو أداها بعد مدة كان مؤديا اتفاقا لا قاضيا اه قال الشيخ إسماعيل وفيه نظر أي لأن الظاهر من الفور أن يكون تأخيره قضاء قلت لكن سيذكر الشارح في الحج الإجماع على أنه لو تراخى كان أداء مع أن المرجح أنه على الفور ويأثم بتأخير فهو نظير ما هنا تأمل قوله ( تنزيها ) لأنه بطول الزمان قد ينساها ولو كانت الكراهة تحريمية لوجبت على الفور وليس كذلك ولذاكره تحريما تأخير الصلاتية عن وقت القراءة إمداد واستثني من كراهة التأخير ما إذا كان الوقت مكروها كوقت الطلوع فرع في التاترخانية يستحب للتالي أو السامع إذا لم يمكنه السجود أن يقول سمعنا وأطعنا غفرانك ربنا وإليك المصير (رد المحتار 2/ 109)

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

LOOKING FOR JOB

*LOOKING FOR JOB*

ASSEMBLED BY MALLAM ABBA ABANA, KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA

http://variousislamicdawadocuments.blogspot.com

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emails:gonidamgamiri@yahoo.com; abba.abana@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY 6TH FEBRUARY 2019 CE AND 30TH JUMADAL ULA 1440

BismillahWalhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah. As-Salaam AlaikumWa-RahmatullahiWa-Barakatuhu.

Praise be to Allaah; we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (Sallalhu alaihi Wa salam) is His slave and Messenger.

*PREAMBLE*

*DUA FOR FINDING A JOB IN HOLY QURAN AND AUTHENTIC HADIT*

Sometimes we have a perfect DEGREE, a well-written resume, means to apply for a particular job; still, we fail to achieve our targets and get the dream job we want. The point when one might ask about some Surah or Dua for finding a job. As Muslims, we believe that Allah Almighty is the creator and provider of all the things in the universe. So we should rely on Him alone to achieve our aims.

*Parable of Lif*

Imagine today in Nigeria (selected example); what’s the population of Graduates and Masters/PhD holders looking for jobs in Government or private organizations’? How about those graduating in the next session/years? Do we rely on Government or parents or guardians to feed us always? What if parents/guardians die and have left no inheritances behind? Let’s take very current examples within six to seven years of people in Borno State in particular disposed off or deserted by Boko haram through invasion, and lost all or partial of their properties and investments for life savings or destroyed? All rely on Allah alone for survival!

Let’s go on with specific issues regarding Dua for finding a job with reference into Holy Quran and Authentic Hadith.

*1.0 BENEFICIAL TIPS AND DUA FOR FINDING A JOB*

One should strive both physically and spiritually in the search for an earning. Physical effort means getting a good education, preparing your resume, seeking a job, organizing yourself for an interview. Spiritual energy means relying on Allah alone, putting your trust in Him, hoping for His mercy and making prescribed Duas for finding a job.

*2.0 HERE ARE SOME TIPS WHICH MIGHT BE BENEFICIAL IN FINDING A JOB:*

*2.1 TAWAKKUL — PUTTING YOUR TRUST IN ALLAH*

Tawakkul is to follow the means:

You try finding a job here and there, you acquire a higher degree, you get your internship, talk to people, etc. Then while putting your trust in Allah Almighty that He has saved something for you better than you expect. But you don’t know what Allah has saved for you; that’s why you keep on trying. One important thing doesn’t get depressed or dishearten and start thinking that failure is destined for me. It is reported in a Hadith that our provision is written down when we are still in our mother’s womb:

Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said, “At every womb Allah appoints an angel who says, ‘O Lord! A drop of semen, O Lord! A clot. O Lord! A little lump of flesh.” Then if Allah wishes (to complete) its creation, the angel asks, (O Lord!) Will it be a male or female, a wretched or a blessed, and how much will his provision be? And what will his age be?’ So all that is written while the child is still in the mother’s womb.” (Bukhari, Hadith 315)

*2.2 TAQWA – FEARING ALLAH*

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out And will provide for him from where he does not expect.” (Holy Quran Chapter, Surah 65 Talaq: 2-3)

وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُ ۥ مَخۡرَجً۬ا (٢) وَيَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَحۡتَسِبُ‌ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسۡبُهُ ۥۤ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمۡرِهِۦ‌ۚ قَدۡ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدۡرً۬ا

Taqwa means to always be on guard and to protect yourself from sins. If one can attain taqwa in their lives then Inshaa Allah; Allah will help them find the necessary job easily.

*3.0 MASNOON DUAS FOR FINDING A JOB*

*3.1 ISTIGHFAAR*

The Quran prescribes us that the best means of increasing provision is to enhance Istighfaar. Keep asking Allah for forgiveness. What is the relationship between istighfaar and getting a halal job? Allah says in the Holy Quran:

‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; ‘He will send rain to you in abundance; And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.’ (Surah Nuh 71: Verse 10-12)

فَقُلۡتُ ٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ غَفَّارً۬ا (١٠) يُرۡسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيۡكُم مِّدۡرَارً۬ا (١١) وَيُمۡدِدۡكُم بِأَمۡوَٲلٍ۬ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجۡعَل لَّكُمۡ جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَيَجۡعَل لَّكُمۡ أَنۡہَـٰرً۬ا (١٢)

The wording of istighfaar is mentioned in many ahadith. One can say astaghfirullah or astaghfirullah Hashim wa atubu Elahi, or recite this dua hundred times in a day:

Ibn Umar (RadiAllahu Anhu) narrated: ‘We would count that the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) would say in one sitting one hundred times:

Rab-bigh-firlee wa tubb alayya Innaka anta at-Tawaabu ar-Raheem.

‘O my Lord forgive me and accept my repentance indeed You are the One who forgives and most merciful.’ (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi)

*3.2 DUA FOR FINDING A JOB AFTER THE FAJR SALAH*

Prophet PBUH taught us a beautiful dua to be recited after the Fajr salah for increasing provision or for getting halal means of earning.

Narrated from Umm Salamah (RadiAllahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Peace of be upon Him) used to say after Fajr prayer:

“Allahumma inni as aluka rizqan tayyiban wa ‘ilman naafi‘an wa ‘amalan mutaqabbalan

(O Allah, I ask You for a good (halal) provision, beneficial knowledge and accepted deeds).” [Ahmad, Ibn Maajah]

*3.3 BEST DUA IN THE HOLY QURAN FOR FINDING JOB*

One of the most comprehensive dua mentioned in the Holy Quran that suffices all your needs in the Dunya and Akhirah is:

Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil ‘akhirati hasanatan waqina ‘adhaban-nar

“Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!” (Holy Quran Chapter Surah Baqarah 2: Verse 201).

 وَمِنۡهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةً۬ وَفِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً۬ وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ (٢٠١)

Keep on reciting this dua for finding a job.

*3.4 SENDING PEACE AND BLESSINGS UPON THE PROPHET (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam)*

Sending peace and blessings upon the Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) by reciting Durood. Since you are having plenty of free time so increase sending blessings upon the Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam), Allah will deliver you out of your worries. Inshaa Allah

Allahumma Salli Ala Muhammadiw Wa Ala Aali Muhammadin Kamaa Sallaita Ala Ibrahima Wa Ala Aali Ibrahima Innaka Hamidum Majid. Allahumma Baarik Ala Muhammadiw Wa Ala Aali Muhammadin Kamaa Baarakta Ala Ibrahima Wa Ala Aali Ibrahima Innaka Hamidum Majid.

“O Allah, let Your Blessings come upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have blessed Ibrahim and his family. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have blessed Ibrahim and his family. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious”.

*3.5 GIVING CHARITY*

Giving in a small amount of donation or whatever you may afford even though you are broke. By giving charity and facilitating others in fulfilling their needs would assist you finding a job. It will make job searching easy for you.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RadiAllahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) said: “Allah will aid a servant (of His) so long as the servant aids his brother.”

Another important thing is to ask righteous people to pray for you. That too will help a lot. May Allah deliver every believing person out of this condition and provide them a halal job and real income. May Allah make it easy for every Muslim to find a job? Keep looking for a job and keep on making dua for finding a job. Ameen.

*4.0 ALLAH’S PLAN FOR YOU AND ME*

Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala), who created you without your input has made all resources and life span recorded and sealed; where you will be following dot by dot until death.

Allah had a plan for you before you were born, and He still has a plan for you. Allah’s plan for you is necessary and glorious. His plan is vital to your success and important to the world.

Allah’s plan is not set in stone, as if we were robots pre-programmed in the factory. That would strip us of free will and deny our natures. Rather, I believe that Allah has a flexible plan for each human being: a plan that allows that person to benefit the world with his/her unique talents.

This is in fact the Islamic view of al-Qadar, or predestination. There is no doubt that Allah has decreed everything that happens in the universe from the beginning of time to the end, and that Allah has written it all in al-Lawh al-Mahfooz (the Book of Decrees).

“Know you not that Allah knows all that is in the heaven and on the earth? Verily, it is (all) in the Book (Al Lawh Al Mahfooz). Verily, that is easy for Allah” (Hoy Quran, Chapter al-Hajj 22:70).

أَلَمۡ تَعۡلَمۡ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۗ إِنَّ ذَٲلِكَ فِى كِتَـٰبٍ‌ۚ إِنَّ ذَٲلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ۬ (٧٠)

In Saheeh Muslim (2653) it is narrated that ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “Allah wrote down the decrees of creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth.”

Everything happens by the will of Allah. Whatever He wills happens, and whatever he does not will does not happen. However, as Sheikh Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid explains,

Belief in al-qadar does not contradict the idea that a person has free will with regard to actions in which he has free choice. Sharee’ah and real life both indicate that people have this will.

Allaah says concerning man’s will (interpretation of the meaning):

“That is (without doubt) the True Day. So, whosoever wills, let him seek a place with (or a way to) His Lord (by obeying Him in this worldly life)!” [Holy Quran Chapter al-Naba’ 78:39] (and other similar ayaat)

ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡيَوۡمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ‌ۖ فَمَن شَآءَ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ مَـَٔابًا (٣٩)

These verses confirm that man has a will and the ability to do what he wants and not to do what he does not want.

With regard to real life, everyone knows that he has a will and the ability to do what he wants and not to do what he does not want. And he can distinguish between the things that happen when he wants them to, such as walking, and those that happen without him wanting them to, such as shivering. But the will and ability of man are subject to the will and decree of Allaah.

Sheikh Al-Munajjid’s last paragraph is the key to understanding Al-Qadar: walking (voluntary) versus shivering (involuntary). Other scholars have explained it as two types of Qadar, fixed and flexible. The fixed Qadar is that which happens to us from beyond our control. For example the time and place of our birth, any illnesses and natural disasters that befall us, etc. The flexible Qadar is that which is within the realm of our free will. Whether we do good or evil, and what we choose to believe and how we choose to live. Sheikh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah wrote:

There are two types of provision and lifespan: the first type has already been decreed and is written in Umm al-kitaab, and cannot be changed or altered. The next type of qadar, Allah has informed His angels of His decrees. This is the type where provisions and lifespan may increase or decrease. Hence Allah the Almighty says what may be translated as, “Allah blots out what he wills and confirms [what He wills]. And with Him is the Mother of the book.” (Holy Quran Chapter Surat Ar-Ra’ad 13, verse 39)

يَمۡحُواْ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيُثۡبِتُ‌ۖ وَعِندَهُ ۥۤ أُمُّ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ (٣٩)

The mother of the Book (Umm al-Kitaab) is Al-Lawh al-Mahfoodh, in which Allah has decreed all things as they will always be without change. However, the decrees contained in the books of the angels, such as lifespan and provisions, may increase or decrease according to various circumstances; thereafter, the angels will re-write a person’s provision and lifespan. If a person upholds the ties of kinship, his provisions and lifespan will be extended, otherwise they will decrease.” [See Majmoo’al-Fataawa 8/540]

So Allah has a plan for you, but fulfillment of that plan is up to you: the choices you make, as well as your degree of faith, persistence and determination.

Allah’s plan for you is important to the world because Allah created nothing in vain. Look at His creation. Everything has a purpose, from the sun that heats our world, to the bacteria that consume waste.

You are the same. You have a purpose. You are necessary to the world. If your presence were not vital in some way, then you would not have been made.

*DISCOVERING ALLAH’S PLAN*

Allah's plan for us is not always what we might wish it to be.

How do we discover Allah’s plan for us? Where do we find it? How do we realize it in our lives?

It’s not as difficult as we might think. It wouldn’t make sense for Allah to have a plan for us and then leave us stumbling in the dark. Allah’s plan doesn’t have to be a mystery. If we trust Him, do what He asks, and follow our hearts, His plan will unfold in our lives like a brightly lit path.

If you are trying to follow Allah’s guidance, but you find yourself confronted by obstacles and hardship, don’t despair. The hardship is probably a sign that you are on the right path. Consider our Prophets (may Allah bless them all) who faced tremendous obstacles:

The Prophet Ibrahim was disowned by his family and thrown by his people into a blazing fire; Allah rescued him from that, and made him the father of two nations.

Allah inspired the mother of the baby Musa and told her to place her infant into a chest and send it floating down the Nile. If the soldiers of Pharaoh ever learned about his birth:

“We revealed to Moses’ mother, ‘Suckle him and then when you fear for him cast him into the sea. Do not fear or grieve; We will return him to you and make him one of the Messengers.'” (Holy Quran Chapter Surat al-Qasas 28:7)

وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنۡ أَرۡضِعِيهِ‌ۖ فَإِذَا خِفۡتِ عَلَيۡهِ فَأَلۡقِيهِ فِى ٱلۡيَمِّ وَلَا تَخَافِى وَلَا تَحۡزَنِىٓ‌ۖ إِنَّا رَآدُّوهُ إِلَيۡكِ وَجَاعِلُوهُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ (٧)

That was a hard plan to follow, but she trusted her Lord, and carried out her mission.

The young Yusuf was thrown by his brothers into a well; later he was sold into slavery, then imprisoned for years; but in the end he became an important minister, and was reunited with his father.

Maryam, the mother of Isa (AS), delivered her child alone under a palm tree, far from her people as she feared their reaction; but Allah helped her through miracles, until she became the honored mother of a great Prophet.

The Prophet Yunus gave up on his mission to the people of Nineveh, ventured onto a ship and was then cast into the sea, where he was swallowed by a fish. At the point of despair, he called upon Allah with all his heart and was rescued. He returned to his mission and achieved success.

Aisha, the wife of the Prophet, was slandered by an ugly lie, but Allah brought the truth to light, and Aishah became a leader and scholar in her own right.

The companion Umm Salamah lost her beloved husband Abu Salamah in the battle of Uhud; she thought that no husband could ever be better than him, and yet she ended up marrying the Prophet himself. Things are not always what they seem.

Be patient. Allah has a plan for you.

*FOLLOWING ALLAH’S PLAN*

This is the hard part. Allah’s plan for us is true to who we are at our core, in our very essence. It will not correlate to an artificial persona we have adopted, or our desire to be seen and recognized. Allah’s plan may not bring us fame, fortune, or physical pleasure. It might mean giving up material comfort. So Allah’s plan for us may not be what we would wish it to be.

Abu Hurayrah, the companion of the Messenger of Allah, was asked about Taqwa (God-consciousness). He said, “It is a road full of thorns. One who walks it needs to have extreme patience.”

Brothers and sisters, no one more qualified than you to fulfill the plan that Allah has for you! Allah’s plan is not a fantasy, nor a dream. It may not go your way the first time, or the second, or the third. It may not make you rich, but there is no true financial security in this life – that’s an illusion.

No one expects you to let your family go hungry. Work hard and provide for them, but don’t get caught in the trap of thinking that the accumulation of wealth will save you, because the only true security is with Allah. And last of all, no one is ever ready to walk fee-sabeel-illah (in the path of Allah). It is a road full of thorns. But it is also the road to fulfillment, happiness, barakah and success.

Fulfilling Allah’s plan for us requires that we silence the voice of our own desire, open ourselves to Allah, and look within with total sincerity. It takes courage, patience and determination. It is the path to Jannah (Paradise), Insha’Allah.

And Allah knows best