"If Allah gives a boon to a person, he should increase "Alhamdulillah". If the worry of a person increases, he should say, "Astaghfirullah". Why is it stated in the hadith above that we should say "Astaghfirullah" when “worry increases”?
"If Allah gives a boon to a person, he should increase "Alhamdulillah". If the worry of a person increases, he should say, "Astaghfirullah". If the sustenance of a person delays, he should increase the phrase "La hawla wala quwwata illa billah"." Why is it stated in the hadith above that we should say "Astaghfirullah" when “worry increases”?
Submitted by on Sat, 22/09/2018 - 10:07
Dear Brother / Sister,
Tabarani (Saghir, Awsat) narrated the hadith in question from Abu Hurayra. The translation of the hadith is as follows:
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
“If Allah gives a boon to a person, he should increase the dhikr "Alhamdulillah". If the sins of a person increase, he should repent to Allah and ask for forgiveness / say, "Astaghfirullah". If the sustenance of a person delays, he should repeat the phrase "La hawla wala quwwata illa billah" a lot." (see Majmauz-Zawaid, 8/179)
We will explain the issues mentioned in the hadith briefly:
There is a close relationship between boons and gratitude. Boons necessitate thanking Allah. Thanking Allah increases boons. The factory of the universe has been established in a way to yield fruits of thanking. The greatest reason why the importance of belief in Allah’s oneness (tawhid) is frequently emphasized in Islam and why it is reminded that polytheism (shirk) is an unforgivable crime is to prevent gratitude, which belongs to Allah, from being divided into causes. "Alhamdulillah" is a sacred word stating that all praises and thanks are peculiar to Allah because the owner of all boons is only Allah. A person who says "Alhamdulillah" declares that “the only Creator of this universe, the only owner of the boons and hence the only being that needs to be worshipped and thanked is Allah”.
“…If ye are grateful, I will add more (favors) unto you; But if ye show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed.” (Ibrahim, 14/7)
The relationship between thanking and boons, and ingratitude and punishment are emphasized in the verse above.
There is a close relationship between sins and asking for forgiveness. The sublime Creator knows that man, who is subject to a religious test in the world as a necessity of his creation, cannot keep away from sins fully; therefore, He declares that the door of pardoning is open for His slaves who regret having committed sins. Therefore, a person who commits sins by obeying his soul should not be hopeless and should enter the endless ocean of mercy.
“Say: ‘O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’” (az-Zumar, 39/53)
The framework of that endless pardoning is drawn in the verse above.
The phrase "La hawla wala quwwata illa billah" states that “it is not possible for anybody to keep away from prohibitions and to fulfill orders without the help of Allah”. Such a confession makes a person show respect to Allah, surrender to His predestination and rely on Him. Those traits are signs of being perfect slaves of Allah.
When a person whose sustenance is delayed repeats that phrase, he means the following “O my Lord who is the Sustainer (ar-Razzaq)! I know very well that You are the one that gives sustenance to all living beings. No living being leaves this world before consuming his sustenance. I cannot meet my own need no matter how hard I try.” This means to declare everything that is in compliance with the belief of oneness and to declare that the only owner of all boons and sustenance is Allah.
It is the basic philosophy of slavery to realize one’s weakness. A person who utters the dhikr “La hawla…” sincerely will display a good performance of slavery; therefore, the endless divine mercy can help him, make him stand and grant him his sustenance, which may have been delayed as a necessity of testing.
A person who utters the supplication “La hawla…” accepts and declares the facts mentioned in the following verses with this understanding of his:
“How many are the creatures that carry not their own sustenance? It is Allah who feeds (both) them and you: for He hears and knows (all things).” (al-Ankabut, 29/60)
“…And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out. And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him...” (at-Talaq, 65/2-3)
“Or who is there that can provide you with Sustenance if He were to withhold His provision? Nay, they obstinately persist in insolent impiety and flight (from the Truth).” (al-Mulk, 67/21)
In conclusion, we can say that a person who utters the supplication “La hawla…” approves the fact emphasized in the following hadith:
“O people! Fear Allah and be moderate in seeking a living, for no soul will die until it has received all its provision, even if it is slow in coming. So fear Allah and be moderate in seeking provision; take that which is permissible and leave that which is forbidden.” (Ibn Majah, Tijarat, 2)
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