بِسْم الله الرحمن الرحيم
دعاء is an act of worship. We need to perpetually feel weak, disabled, in need, and that no one can help us except Allah. This should make us ask Allah all the time.
We have two types of دعاء:
1) دعاء المسألة - This is actually invoking Allah
2) دعاء العبادة - This is asking Allah through your situation. When you fast, you are making دعاء. When you pray, you're making دعاء, etc
The slave should always watch his heart. Whenever a calamity afflicts you - where is the first place your heart looks to? It's easy to speak, but during the calamity, don't let your heart turn to other than Allah. The first second the calamity afflicts you, your heart should first run to Allah. It should say that you don't have anyone to turn to except the One who has perfect attributes. He can fulfill all your needs.
If you find your heart turning to anyone other than Allah, it means that you don't know Allah and you don't know people. Know that the people, even if they want to help you, cannot help you unless Allah allows them. The real ملك belongs to Allah, الواحد القهار.
And Allah tests His slaves with sicknesses, husbands, trials, because He wants your heart to turn to Him - to ask Him alone. No one can remove your calamity except Allah.
If you always run to Allah, you will taste the sweetness of asking Allah. Allah will relieve your heart, even if the problem still exists.
Bukhari رحمه الله wrote a book called "كتاب الدعوات" and the first thing he wrote in it was the verse from [40:60]:
"And your Lord said: "Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!"
Allah orders us to invoke Him, and promises to respond to our invocation. And He said that those who are proud to "worship Him", not those who are proud to "make Dua" - which teaches us that Dua is worship. It's a worship because it comprises of humiliation to Allah. You are showing Allah that you are poor and in need of Him.
عبادة is from معبد - humiliated.
"طريق معبد" - a humiliated road, because people always walk on it.
Invocation is very important in your life because every day, every hour, we have needs. We don't just need money, food, we need love, to be with someone, etc. How can we fulfill these needs? With Allah.
Allah wants us to ask Him, to hope Him, fear Him all the time.
Allah said in a Hadith Qudsi:
"يَا عِبَادِي كُلُّكُمْ ضَالٌّ إِلاَّ مَنْ هَدَيْتُهُ فَاسْتَهْدُونِي أَهْدِكُمْ
My servants, all of you are liable to err except one whom I guide on the right path, so seek right guidance from Me so that I should direct you to the right path
يَا عِبَادِي كُلُّكُمْ جَائِعٌ إِلاَّ مَنْ أَطْعَمْتُهُ فَاسْتَطْعِمُونِي أُطْعِمْكُمْ
O My servants, all of you are hungry (needy) except one whom I feed, so beg food from Me, so that I may give that to you.
يَاعِبَادِي كُلُّكُمْ عَارٍ إِلاَّ مَنْ كَسَوْتُهُ فَاسْتَكْسُونِي أَكْسُكُمْ"
O My servants, all of you are naked (need clothes) except one whom I provide garments, so beg clothes from Me, so that I should clothe you."
The companions of the Prophet ﷺ used to ask Allah for the tiniest thing; even salt. Even if you go to the supermarket and the parking is crowded, ask Allah to make a space for you. Do this, and teach your children, instead of complaining.
No one can benefit you unless Allah wills. So go to Allah directly. Don't punish yourself by going to the people who don't care, doesn't worry, can't help you. Allah knows your needs without you asking Him. That's why Ibrahim عليه السلام said in [14:38]:
"Our Lord! Certainly, You know what we conceal and what we reveal. Nothing on the earth or in the heaven is hidden from Allah."
He praised Allah by His attribute of knowledge. Allah knows what's in our hearts, and our needs, He can forgive us without ask even asking. Praise Allah with the attribute of knowledge, Allah will give you more than you can imagine.
The دعاء of Distress
عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يقول عند الكرب :
" لا إله إلا الله العظيم الحليم ، لا إله إلا الله رب العرش العظيم ، لا إله إلا الله رب السموات ورب الأرض ورب العرش الكريم"
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say at times of distress:
“Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah al-‘Atheem al-Haleem, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah Rabb al-‘Arsh al-‘Atheem, la ilaaha ill-Allaah Rabb ul-samawaati wa Rabb ul-ard wa Rabb ul-‘Arsh il-kareem
(There is no god but Allaah, the All-Powerful, the Forbearing; there is no god but Allaah, Lord of the mighty Throne; there is no god but Allaah, Lord of heaven, Lord of earth, and Lord of the noble Throne).”
[Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6345; Muslim, 2730.]
This Dunya is not perfect. You will face difficulties and distress.
What are some things that cause us to face difficulties?
1) Sicknesses of your heart
E.g. She feels jealousy and envy because others have and she doesn't.
E.g. Worrying about getting sick and of the future. This is waswaas from the Shaytan.
2) Because of the Dunya
E.g. You lose someone beloved to you
3) No reason
4) Because of sins
5) Feeling pain for your Muslim brothers and sisters calamities
You'll be rewarded for this distress.
You notice in the Dua, you're not asking Allah for anything particular.
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