Do not ever open the door for the Satan

Every Divine religion is based on an unflinching faith in the Divine decree and men of faith are expected to have full faith in whatever happens to them in their lives even if agisnt their desires or wishes. This faith is kown as Al-Qadar in Islam, means believing that everything, both good and bad, is preordained by God and happens according to His will. It's one of the fundamental pillars of Islamic faith. 

Despite having faith, when despite one;s efforts if something befalls on someone against one's wishes, there some who say "If only I had done such and such" my fate would have been different. This is something that Satan puts into our hearts not to weaken our faith. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has cautioned beleivers against such attitude for it lets the door open for the Satan.

This Hadith is mentioned in Sahih Muslim  (Book 46: The Book of Destiny  / كتاب  القدر  / Chapter 8:  Belief In The Divine Decree And Submission To It  / باب  فِي الْأَمْرِ بِالْقُوَّةِ وَتَرْكِ الْعَجْزِ وَالِاسْتِعَانَةِ بِاللَّهِ وَتَفْوِيضِ الْمَقَادِيرِ لِلَّهِ ‏‏ / as Hadith 2664, given herein under:

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don't say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: Allah did that what He had ordained to do and your" if" opens the (gate) for the Satan.

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَابْنُ، نُمَيْرٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ، عَنْ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى بْنِ حَبَّانَ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْقَوِيُّ خَيْرٌ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ الضَّعِيفِ وَفِي كُلٍّ خَيْرٌ احْرِصْ عَلَى مَا يَنْفَعُكَ وَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ وَلاَ تَعْجِزْ وَإِنْ أَصَابَكَ شَىْءٌ فَلاَ تَقُلْ لَوْ أَنِّي فَعَلْتُ كَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا ‏.‏ وَلَكِنْ قُلْ قَدَرُ اللَّهِ وَمَا شَاءَ فَعَلَ فَإِنَّ لَوْ تَفْتَحُ عَمَلَ الشَّيْطَانِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

This Hadith offers deep guidance on personal strength, reliance on Allah, and attitude toward hardship. Here's a breakdown of its meaning and its connection to the Qur'an:

Explanation of Key Parts:

1. “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer…”

• "Strength" here can mean:
• Physical strength (useful in defending, working, and serving others)
• Spiritual and emotional strength (strong will, patience, commitment to faith, self-discipline)
• Qur’an Connection:
• “Indeed, Allah loves those who rely upon Him.” — Surah Al-Imran (3:159)
• “O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.” — Surah Al-Imran (3:200)
• These verses align with the idea of inner strength and perseverance being beloved to Allah.

2. “Strive to do that which will benefit you…”

Islam encourages proactive behavior — using your mind, body, and resources to pursue what is good for your dunya (world) and akhirah (Hereafter).

• Qur’an Connection:
• “And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives.” — Surah An-Najm (53:39)
• “So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship]. And to your Lord direct [your] longing.” — Surah Al-Inshirah (94:7-8)
• These verses emphasize effort and not being passive.

3. “…Seek the help of Allah and do not feel helpless.”

A believer should always depend on Allah but still act — Islam doesn’t teach fatalism or surrender to despair.

• Qur’an Connection:
• “And rely upon Allah; and sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.” — Surah Al-Ahzab (33:3)
• “Do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers.” — Surah Al-Imran (3:139)

4. “If anything befalls you, do not say: ‘If only I had…’”

This part deals with accepting divine decree (Qadr) after events unfold. Saying "if only" suggests regret that can lead to self-blame, despair, or doubting Allah's wisdom.

• Qur’an Connection:
• “No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah — He will guide his heart.” — Surah At-Taghabun (64:11)
• “Say, ‘Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector.’ And upon Allah let the believers rely.” — Surah At-Tawbah (9:51)

Summary: 

This hadith urges believers to:

• Be strong in faith and action
• Take initiative while trusting Allah
• Avoid despair or regret over the past
• Acknowledge Allah’s Qadr without falling into negativity

Together with the Qur'an, it teaches a balanced path of empowered action and humble submission — striving hard while accepting outcomes as Allah’s will. Let there ever been a shadow of doubt or discontentment for whatever happens to us despite our best endeavours and firm faith in Allah. We never know what is good or otherwise for us. Sometimes an unfavourable outcome may be harbinger for something good we have had never imagined. So let not our faith in Allah ever waver and if it is seems so, immediately turn to Allah to grant us sabr / patience and faith in Divine decisons, rather than showing weakness and letting the door open for Satanic mischief. 

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Warning and Cautions for more Hadiths on the subject

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Source of Hadith | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Cruelty to animals: Prophet Muhammad ﷺ strictly forbade cornering animals as target to kill them for sport

Taking someone's life without a valid reason is viewed as inhuman in Islam and is strictly prohibited. In the times of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, men would tie down an animal and used their archery skills taking the tied animal or bird as a target. We share a hadith that emphasizes the importance of treating animals with kindness and compassion, and strictly forbidding to make an animal a target of arrows or for entertainment purposes. Even though hunting for sustenance or to prevent harm is permissible, it must be done with respect and according to Islamic guidelines. 

This Hadith is mentioned in Sahih Muslim  (Book 34: The Book of Hunting, Slaughter, and what may be Eaten  / كتاب  الصيد والذبائح وما يؤكل من الحيوان / Chapter 12:  The prohibition of cornering animals in order to kill them (for sport)  / باب النَّهْىِ عَنْ صَبْرِ الْبَهَائِمِ، ‏‏ / as Hadith 1958b, given herein under:

Sa'id b. Jubair reported that Ibn 'Umar happened to pass by some young men of the Quraish who had tied a bird (and th, is made it a target) at which they had been shooting arrows Every arrow that they missed came into the possession of the owner of the bird. So no sooner did they see Ibn 'Umar they went away. Thereupon Ibn 'Umar said:

Who has done this? Allah has cursed him who does this. Verily Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) invoked curse upon one who made a live thing the target (of one's marksmanship).

Arabic Text:

وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو بِشْرٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، قَالَ مَرَّ ابْنُ عُمَرَ بِفِتْيَانٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ قَدْ نَصَبُوا طَيْرًا وَهُمْ يَرْمُونَهُ وَقَدْ جَعَلُوا لِصَاحِبِ الطَّيْرِ كُلَّ خَاطِئَةٍ مِنْ نَبْلِهِمْ فَلَمَّا رَأَوُا ابْنَ عُمَرَ تَفَرَّقُوا فَقَالَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ مَنْ فَعَلَ هَذَا لَعَنَ اللَّهُ مَنْ فَعَلَ هَذَا إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَعَنَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ شَيْئًا فِيهِ الرُّوحُ غَرَضًا ‏.‏

This caution implies that cornering and killing an animal for sport, specially if the animal is defenseless — goes against the values of mercy, compassion, and justice in Islam. However, ther are many hadiths that allow hunting free animals and birds with the help of arrows or hunting dogs and trained birds like falcons. In such cases, the animal or bird being hunted is free to defend itself. If an animal or bird is hunted, it is Halal to be eaten, provided the animal or bird fall in the halal category. 

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ  for more Hadiths on the General Subjects.

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo: Pixabay | Source of Hadith | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for combining prayers during travel

Men have always been travelling, yet there is no leave from the obligatory prayers for these have to be performed even under all odds. While there is concession for reducing the cycles / rakh'a of the Dhur, Asr and Isha prayers, there is no concession given from skipping the prayer altogether. However, we learn from a sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ wherein he had combined the Maghrib and Isha prayers during the travel.

In this regard we share a Hadith which explains the procedure of combining the Maghrib and Isha prayers during travel. This Hadith is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī  (Book 18:   Shortening the Prayers (At-Taqseer) / كتاب التقصير / Chapter 14:  Should the Adhan and Iqama be pronounced when the Maghrib and Isha prayers are offered together / باب  هَلْ يُؤَذِّنُ أَوْ يُقِيمُ إِذَا جَمَعَ بَيْنَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَالْعِشَاءِ فِي الْقِبْلَةِ / as Hadith 1109, given herein under:

Narrated by Az-Zuhri: Salim told me, "`Abdullah bin `Umar said,

'I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) delaying the Maghrib prayer till he offered it along with the `Isha prayer whenever he was in a hurry during the journey.' " Salim said, "Abdullah bin `Umar used to do the same whenever he was in a hurry during the journey. After making the call for Iqama, for the Maghrib prayer he used to offer three rak`at and then perform Taslim. After waiting for a short while, he would pronounce the Iqama for the `Isha' prayer and offer two rak`at and perform Taslim. He never prayed any Nawafil in between the two prayers or after the `Isha' prayers till he got up in the middle of the night (for Tahajjud prayer)."

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي سَالِمٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا أَعْجَلَهُ السَّيْرُ فِي السَّفَرِ يُؤَخِّرُ صَلاَةَ الْمَغْرِبِ، حَتَّى يَجْمَعَ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَ الْعِشَاءِ‏.‏ قَالَ سَالِمٌ وَكَانَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ يَفْعَلُهُ إِذَا أَعْجَلَهُ السَّيْرُ، وَيُقِيمُ الْمَغْرِبَ فَيُصَلِّيهَا ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمُ، ثُمَّ قَلَّمَا يَلْبَثُ حَتَّى يُقِيمَ الْعِشَاءَ، فَيُصَلِّيهَا رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمُ وَلاَ يُسَبِّحُ بَيْنَهَا بِرَكْعَةٍ، وَلاَ بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ بِسَجْدَةٍ حَتَّى يَقُومَ مِنْ جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ‏.‏

This hadith, narrated by Salim from ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar, describes how the Prophet ﷺ — and after him, Ibn ʿUmar — combined Maghrib and ʿIshā’ prayers during travel when in a hurry. It sheds light on a concession (rukhsah) granted in Islam for travelers and is deeply rooted in both Qur’anic principles and Prophetic Sunnah.

Before we explain this hadith, let us first know what minimum distance one must travel from his place of residence when the concession of shortening of Dhur, Asr and Isha prayers from four to two rak'ah is admissible. It is generally agreed that an individual will only be regarded as a Musafir (traveler) after making a firm intention of travelling 77 km (48 miles) or more from his current location. If the individual travels from place to place, intending to travel less than 77 km (48 miles) between each location, he will not be considered a Musafir. Some scholars/schools of thoughts extend this distance to 80 or even 88 kilometres. Also this concession is valid for a maximum of fifteen days. If one intends to stay more than fifteen days out of his place of residence, then concession of shortening of prayer is not admissible.

Explanation of the Hadith

The Prophet ﷺ, when in a state of urgency during travel, would delay Maghrib and combine it with ʿIshā’. Ibn ʿUmar followed this practice:

• First praying Maghrib (3 rakʿahs) with Iqāmah and Taslīm,
• Then, after a short pause, praying ʿIshā’ (2 rakʿahs) with Iqāmah and Taslīm. Here one can see that instead of otherwise 4 rak'ah of Isha prayer, only two rak;ah have been prayed due to concession given to the travelers to shorten the fard rak'ah by half.
• He did not pray Sunnah (Nawāfil) between them or after, until he woke in the night for Tahajjud.

Explanation in Light of the Qur’an

While the Qur'an does not explicitly mention combining prayers, it provides general allowances for shortening prayer (qasr) during travel:

• “And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer...” Surah An-Nisa (4:101)
• This verse confirms that the hardship of travel justifies modifying the prayer schedule, which includes shortening (qasr) and combining (jamʿ) prayers as shown in the Sunnah.

Explanation in Light of the Sunnah

• Combining Prayers During Travel: 
• Numerous hadith confirm that the Prophet ﷺ combined Dhuhr with ʿAsr, and Maghrib with ʿIshā’ when traveling, especially when in a rush, facing hardship, or during bad weather:
• "The Prophet (ﷺ) used to combine Maghrib and ʿIshā’ when he was in a state of travel." Sahih Muslim
• "He would do this without fear or rain, but simply to avoid difficulty for his Ummah." Sahih Muslim, narration of Ibn ʿAbbās
• Delaying Without Joining (Jama' al-Sūrah):
• The Prophet ﷺ sometimes delayed Maghrib until just before ʿIshā’ and then prayed them consecutively, each with its own Iqāmah — as described in this hadith. 
• This is sometimes referred to as "Jamaʿ al-Sūrah" (apparent combination) versus "Jamaʿ al-Haqiqī" (actual combining).

What this Sunnah Teaches us:

• Flexibility in Islam: Islam allows practical accommodations during travel to reduce burden — reflecting divine mercy.
• Sunnah-based action: Ibn ʿUmar’s imitation of the Prophet ﷺ shows the deep respect for and adherence to Prophetic practice.
• No Nawafil between combined prayers: When combining Maghrib and ʿIshā’ out of necessity, nafl prayers are delayed, emphasizing focus on fard obligations during times of urgency.
• Night worship (Tahajjud): Despite skipping Nawafil earlier, Ibn ʿUmar still performed Qiyām al-Layl — showing commitment to voluntary worship when time permitted.

Summary:

This hadith teaches that combining Maghrib and ʿIshā’, likewise Dhur and Asr prayers, during travel is a valid Sunnah, supported by the Qur’anic allowance to modify prayers when journeying. It emphasizes intentional worship, prioritization during difficulty, and practical mercy in Islam’s structure of daily rituals.

You may like to watch a video on shortening and combining of prayers by Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem:

Sheikh Assim bin Luqman al-Hakeem (Arabic: عاصم بن لقمان الحكيم; born 23 November 1962) is a Saudi Arabian cleric of Indonesian descent. He is based primarily in the city of Jeddah, where he hosts programs dealing with Islam. Al-Hakeem mostly talks in English and he is also known for his witty sarcasm and humorous approach to questions.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our exclusive reference page Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about As Salat for more Sunnah and Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad exclusive to As Salat.

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Source of Hadith | Resource reference: | 1 | 2 | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Do Not beautify your face to tempt people to look at you - beautify your heart instead so that Allah looks at you

Beautifying oneself is the intrinsic desire of every human being. Likewise those who have wealth would try to show it off as a sign of their superiority over others. This is what are some of the desires of those who view this world as their only and final abode with no other world to hop in when one dies, where none of these would be of any worth. But men of wisdom prefer their hearts to be beautiful instead for they know a beautiful heart filled with love and praise of Allah will help them step into a world which would be far more beautiful than this worldly world.

This is the theme of the hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as mentioned inn Sahi Muslim, being shared today' given herein under:

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: "The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: 'Allah does not look at your (outward) forms and your wealth, rather He looks at your hearts and your deeds."'

Arabic Test:

حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ ، حَدَّثَنَا كَثِيرُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ ، حَدَّثَنَا جَعْفَرُ بْنُ بُرْقَانَ ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ الأَصَمِّ ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى صُوَرِكُمْ وَأَمْوَالِكُمْ ، وَلَكِنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى قُلُوبِكُمْ وَأَعْمَالِكُمْ.

This hadith highlights that external appearances and material status are not what earn a person value before Allah — rather, it is the state of the heart and the sincerity of actions that matter.

Explanation of the Hadith

1. "Allah does not look at your forms..."

This means that your physical appearance, race, beauty, body, or worldly image do not determine your spiritual worth.

• Qur’anic Reflection:
• “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” — Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13)
• This verse rejects the idea of superiority based on ethnicity, wealth, or appearance — and replaces it with taqwa (God-consciousness) as the true measure.

2. "...nor your wealth"

Wealth, status, and possessions may impress people, but they carry no weight with Allah unless used for good, and earned in halal ways.

• Qur’anic Reflection:
• “Neither their wealth nor their children will avail them against Allah at all…” — Surah Al-Imran (3:10)
• That is wealth is a test, not a sign of divine favor.
• Qarun boasted of his immense wealth, the keys of his coffers are said to have been loaded on seventy camels. Yet his arrogance robbed him of the Divine favour  on him and was engulfed by the earth along with his entire wealth.

3. "...but He looks at your hearts"

The heart (qalb) in Islam is the seat of intentions, sincerity, faith, and desires. A sound heart is crucial to salvation.

• Qur’anic Reflection:
• “The Day when neither wealth nor children will benefit, but only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.” — Surah Ash-Shu’ara (26:88–89)
• A heart full of sincerity, humility, and faith is what Allah values most.

4. "...and your deeds"

Intentions are not enough without righteous action. Deeds reflect what's in the heart and show commitment to Allah’s commands.

• Qur’anic Reflection: 
• “So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.” — Surah Az-Zalzalah (99:7–8)
• That is deeds — big or small — are recorded and judged with perfect justice and mercy.

Key Lessons

• Sincerity (Ikhlas) is more important than public image.
• Righteousness, not race or riches, determines your closeness to Allah.
• Islam judges character and conduct, not external glamor.
• A pure heart + good deeds = spiritual success.

Summary:

This hadith and its Quranic parallels emphasize that Allah's judgment is not based on appearances or status, but on what lies deep within — the heart — and how that is expressed in sincere actions. It's a call to purify our intentions and live with integrity.

So let us brothers and sisters in Islam remember, those who boast of their colour, creed, external beauty and wealth are destined to be doomed for their arrogance and false pride, something Allah dislikes. But those who concentrate on purifying their hearts despite even being rag tags or living a poor quality life, and keep their hearts clean from all traces of sin, pride and arrogance, are the ones whom Allah loves and will surely bless theme eternal happiness and greater rewards. May Allah help us to cleanse our hearts and enrich it with remembrance of Allah, love and kindness for others. Ameen

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ  for more Hadiths on the General Subjects.

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Source of Hadith | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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How to supplicate to Allah for seeking refuge from evil diversions

"Evil" (Arabic: sharr - شَرِّ ) in Islam refers to anything that goes against the commands of Allah and leads to harm — either in this world or the Hereafter. It can manifest in actions, thoughts, desires, or influences, and it works to divert a person from their fitrah (natural disposition) and their connection with Allah.

In Islam, Satan is considered to be the fountainhead of evil. He uses subtle whispers (waswasa - وسوسة) to lure people into sin and forgetfulness of God. 

In Islamic beliefs, waswasa (وسوسة) translates to "whisperings" or "temptations" and is often associated with the whispers of Satan (Shaytan). It's understood as subtle doubts or temptations that can lead to negative thoughts, behaviors, or actions, particularly concerning religious practices and beliefs. While it's sometimes linked to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in modern psychological terms, the Islamic concept of waswasa also includes an element of the metaphysical, involving the influence of Satan. 

Satan’s mission is to misguide humans from the path of Allah as is mentioned in Qur'an -  Surah Al-A'raf (7:17):

"Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You].”

It is unfortunate that we despite being Muslims and believers of one true God, we call Allah, more often than not fall to the Satanic whispering and get enticed to Satan's evil machination which serve as diversions for us from our well defined straight path, the Siraat ul Mustaqeem. That is why Muslims have always been praying to Allah to save them from the evil and seek refuge from evil diversions.

One such supplication to seek refuge from evil whisperings and enticements is attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is mentioned in Sunan Abi Dawud (Book # 8  Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Detailed Injunctions about Witr / كتاب  الوتر / Chapter # 518 Regarding Seeking Refuge / باب   فِي الاِسْتِعَاذَةِ as Hadith number # 1551, quoted herein under:

Narrated Shakl ibn Humayd: I said: Messenger of Allah, teach me a supplication.

He said: Say: "O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from the evil of what I hear, from the evil of what I see, from the evil of what I speak, from the evil of what I think, and from the evil of my semen" (i.e. sexual passion).

حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ حَنْبَلٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، - الْمَعْنَى - عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ، عَنْ بِلاَلٍ الْعَبْسِيِّ، عَنْ شُتَيْرِ بْنِ شَكَلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، فِي حَدِيثِ أَبِي أَحْمَدَ شَكَلِ بْنِ حُمَيْدٍ - قَالَ - قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَلِّمْنِي دُعَاءً قَالَ ‏ "‏ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ سَمْعِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ بَصَرِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ لِسَانِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ قَلْبِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَنِيِّي ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani)

Let us breakdown this supplication in parts to better understand it and how to supplicate seeking refuge:

1. "From the evil of what I hear"

Hearing is a major avenue through which evil can enter the heart — such as gossip, lies, slander, or immoral speech.

• Qur'anic reflection: “Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart – about all those [one] will be questioned.” — Surah Al-Isra (17:36)
• This verse warns that what we hear (along with seeing and thinking) is not morally neutral. We're accountable for what we expose ourselves to.

2. "From the evil of what I see"

Vision can lead to temptation or moral corruption — for example, by looking at prohibited things or desiring what others have.

• Qur’anic connection: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is acquainted with what they do.” — Surah An-Nur (24:30)
• Guarding the eyes is tied directly to guarding the heart and desires.

3. "From the evil of what I speak"

Words have power — they can harm, lie, incite, or humiliate.

• Qur’anic foundation: 
• “Not a word does he (man) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).” — Surah Qaf (50:18)
• “O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice.” — Surah Al-Ahzab (33:70)

4. "From the evil of what I think"

Perhaps this is the most haunting evil from which many of us suffer. Thoughts, while internal, are the starting point for action — both good and evil. Persistently entertaining evil thoughts can lead to sinful behavior.

• Qur’anic relation: “And conceal your speech or publicize it; indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.” - Surah Al-Mulk (67:13)
• Allah knows what is in our hearts and minds. Hence, we ask His protection even from our own thoughts.

5. "From the evil of my semen" (i.e., sexual passion)

This refers to seeking refuge from misuse of sexual desire, which can lead to zina (fornication/adultery), addiction, or exploitation.

• Qur’anic parallel: “And those who guard their private parts — except with their wives or those their right hands possess… But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors.” — Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:5–7)
• Sexual desire is natural, but channeling it wrongly leads to serious sin and societal harm.
• That is why in Qur'an men and women have been cautioned to meet in isolation if not married for if such a meeting takes place, the third attendee is the Satan and his evil whisperings often lead to lewdness and unlawful sexual relations.

Summary:

This du‘ā is a request for Allah’s help in protecting us from ourselves — from the evil that can come through our senses, our mind, our words, and our desires. It teaches mindfulness and humility: that even our faculties, if unchecked, can lead us astray. 

Let us supplicate this du'a much too often to seek refuge from every kind of evil diversion so that we do not lose our Eeman and fall into the trap of Satan. 

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our exclusive reference page Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Morality for more etiquettes attributed to Prophet Muhammad.

You may refer to our reference: page: Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more prophetic supplications

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Source of Hadith | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Prophetic Faith in Allah (attributed to Prophet Ibrahim - Abraham) - a cue for those mulling to revert to Islam

Reverting to Islam is one of the most difficult and ultimate decision in the life of the non-Muslims. Not only they are hesitant to leave the religion adopted by their parents and ancestors, they are also afraid of fear of annoying their friends and families, or even face a strong and hostile backlash This has been so with all those back in the history who embraced the fold of Islam despite stubborn resistance from their families. Even prophets were not spared when they renounced the religion and faith of their ancestors. Yet, once faith in One True God, Allah the Almighty, had permeated in their souls, there was never looking back even at the cost of leaving their families.

Today, we share the 48th verse of Surah Maryam (19:48) which recounts a powerful moment in the life of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him), reflecting his unwavering faith in Allah and his rejection of polytheism, even if it meant parting ways with his own people and family.

وَ اَعۡتَزِلُـكُمۡ وَمَا تَدۡعُوۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰهِ وَاَدۡعُوۡا رَبِّىۡ​ ​ۖ  عَسٰٓى اَلَّاۤ اَكُوۡنَ بِدُعَآءِ رَبِّىۡ شَقِيًّا‏ 

(19:48) I shall withdraw from you and all that you call upon beside Allah. I shall only call upon my Lord. I trust the prayer to my Lord will not go unanswered."

Context and Explanation:

This verse occurs in the narrative where Prophet Ibrahim is addressing his father and his people. He had persistently called them to the worship of Allah alone and warned them against idol worship. When they rejected his message, mocked him, and even threatened him, he declared his disassociation from their practices and affirmed his commitment to worshipping Allah alone.

The Background to the Verse

Abraham’s appeal, made in the most compassionate language, cannot however find its way to his father’s hardened heart. The father retorts with rejection and threats: Are you renouncing my gods, Abraham? If you do not desist, I shall most certainly have you stoned. Now begone from me for good! (Verse 46)

 

His father’s answer was harsh, arrogant and threatening. He considered Abraham’s rejection of idols to be impertinent. It was a crime for which Abraham deserved a cruel punishment: i.e. death by stoning. Hence, he advised him to stay away, or else punishment would be forthcoming.

 

It is with such ignorance and cruelty that the father replies to the son’s passionate and polite appeal. No regard is given for the son’s care and concern for his father. This is indeed the pattern of response that advocates of faith receive from those who are hardened by disbelief and lack of guidance.

 

Abraham, however, does not allow anger to dictate his attitude. He does not lose sight of his dutifulness to his father. Hence, he continues to address him with respect and compassion: Abraham replied: Peace be on you. I shall pray to my Lord to forgive you; for He has always been very kind to me. But I shall withdraw from you all and from whatever you invoke instead of God, and I shall pray to my Lord alone. Perhaps, by my prayer to my Lord I shall not be unblesset. (Verses 47-48)

 

Abraham makes it clear that he will not respond to the threat, nor will he indulge in futile argument. He promises his father to pray to God to forgive him and not to punish him by allowing him to go further astray. He will pray to God to have mercy on his father and guide him to the truth. He tells him that he is used to God’s generous favours, as He answers his prayers. Then he adds that if his own presence and appeal irritate his father, then he will withdraw, leave his father and people, abandoning the deities they invoke instead of God. He will only worship God alone, hoping that by doing so he will avoid being unblesset. Such is a believer’s politeness and humility. Abraham does not feel that he is deserving of favours from God more than being spared misery, unhappiness and withdrawal of blessings.

Scholarly Commentary:

Ibn Kathir explains this verse in his Tafsir by noting that Ibrahim’s abandonment of his people’s idols and his exclusive devotion to Allah were not just symbolic, but also physical—he left them geographically and spiritually. His optimism in prayer shows the hallmark of a believer’s connection with Allah: hope, certainty, and reliance.

Javed Ahmed Ghamidi notes: Besides the affection found in this declaration of acquittal by Abraham (sws), it also shows his immense honour and regard for the truth. Imām Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī writes:

The emphasis, self-confidence and self-sufficiency seen in this declaration of acquittal is evident from every word. In the first place, Abraham (sws) used the plural form وَ اَعْتَزِلُكُمْ which shows that he not only proclaimed acquittal from his father but also from all his companions, associates and members of the family. With it, by uttering the words وَمَا تَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ (and those also whom you call instead of God) he included all their deities in the declaration. It was as if he rejected them as well. Then he did not merely give a negative statement. He followed it up with a positive one: وَ اَدْعُوْا رَبِّيْ (I will only call my Lord) implying that he did not recognize any other deity. At the end, he expressed his unshakable trust in the Almighty by saying that he had never been deprived after calling his Lord and it was hoped that He would help and guide him in that trial as well. On the one hand, is this softness and, on the other, this sternness. It is in fact this amalgam of soft and stern attitude which distinguishes a preacher of truth from others. Unless a person is soft as wax and hard as a rock, he cannot serve the cause of truth in any way. (Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī, Tadabbur-i Qur’ān, vol. 4, 660)

Key Lessons:

• True faith may require personal sacrifice.
• Ibrahim’s trust in Allah shows the power of dua (supplication).
• Believers should never feel hopeless when making dua to Allah.

A cue for those mulling to revert to Islam

• This verse and the verses before it show a dialogue between a father worshipping idols and a son whose new found faith in one true God. The power of faith Prophet Abraham acquired was so strong that he even dared to stand in front of his father and his people denouncing their worship of idols and calling them to worship Allah alone. When his call was not heeded to to, he took a bold and ultimate decision of his life to follow Allah alone who he truly believed was the only Lord of the World to be worshipped.
• Those non Muslims, who have been living a life of worshipping more than one gods are now finding peace by reverting to Islam for Islam is the only religion which talks of One True God without any associates and partners. 
• There have been many instances where the families turned against the reverts and even cut off from life. But there also many instances that the families, which once showed hostility and utter annoyance of their near and dear one embracing Islam, also started to understand the true reality and reverted to Islam.
• So those mulling to revert to Islam must absorb the true reality that Islam propagates and embrace Islam so that their hearts are put at ease and they find hope as did Prophet Abraham did, In sha Allah

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎)  help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

For more selected verse on Da'wah, please refer to our reference page: Da'wah - The Invitation to Non-Muslims to Islam

You may read more posts on similar theme in our series of posts related to: Compiled verses from Qur'an on specific subjects: Faith in Allah 

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 | 

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

What is Salat al Witr and offering of Qunut during Witr

Muslims observe five obligatory prayers / salat every  morning from pre dawn to late evening. These have to be performed for they have been commanded so by Allah in Qur'an. If they do, they will be rewarded for observing the Divine Directive. But if they don't, they will be penalized for disobeying their Creator.

However, there is one salat / prayer which is voluntary and observed late at night just sometime before the pre dawn prayer, the Fajr. This prayer is called Tahajjud or Qiyam al Lail. This is a voluntary prayer, yet it carries immense rewards for those who observe it and Allah promises that He is so near to them when they break their night sleep and get up only for the pleasure of their Lord. 

This form of prayer was obligatory for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, but those believers who observe it voluntarily are equally blessed. The last part of the Tahajjud prayer is Salat al Witr. This salat can be performed in odd cycles in one go, may be 5, 3 or even one. The hallmark of Salt al Witr is Qunut (القنوت) which is a special supplication (du‘a) that is recited during the final rak‘ah of Witr.

Let us know what is Qunut with regard to the Salat al Witr and what is to be prayed during the final rak'ah. But first let us refresh ourselves about the Salat al Witr.

The Witr prayer holds a special place in Islam—it is considered one of the most beloved voluntary (Sunnah Mu'akkadah) prayers and was strongly emphasized by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It’s not obligatory like the five daily prayers, but it’s so highly recommended for it carries immense rewards. Let us know more about it:

What is Witr Prayer?

"Witr" literally means "odd", referring to the number of rak‘ahs (units)—usually prayed as 1, 3, 5, etc. It is ideally prayed after Tahajjud, if you wake for night prayer. But those who think they cannot get up for the Tahajjud prayer, then it is prayed after the ‘Isha (night) prayer.

Importance of Witr in Islam:

• A Sunnah the Prophet Never Left
• The Prophet ﷺ was consistent in praying Witr—even while traveling, which shows its significance.
• "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray Witr with three rak'ahs." (Sahih Muslim, 737)
• A Form of Night Protection
• The Prophet ﷺ described it as a form of spiritual shield: "Make Witr your last prayer at night." (Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim)
• It serves as a spiritual closing to your day, asking for forgiveness, mercy, and protection from Allah.
• Includes Du‘a al-Qunut: As we discussed earlier, Witr is the only prayer that consistently includes Qunut, a powerful supplication that brings a deeply spiritual moment to the night prayer.
• Brings You Closer to Allah
• Witr is part of Qiyam al-Layl (night prayer), which the Qur’an praises: "And during the night, wake up for prayer—an extra offering for you. It may be that your Lord will raise you to a praised station." Surah Al-Isra (17:79)
• Night prayers, especially Witr, are a mark of the righteous, as mentioned in: "They used to sleep little by night, and in the hours before dawn they would seek forgiveness." Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:17–18)
• A Reminder of Allah’s Oneness: Even the number—being odd—reminds us of Tawheed (the oneness of Allah). The Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah is One (Witr) and loves Witr, so perform Witr, O people of the Qur’an!" (Tirmidhi, 453 – Hasan Sahih)

Having known what is Tahajjud prayer and Salat al Witr, now let us share a Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which educates us as what is Qunut prayer which is prayed in the final rak'ah of the Salat al Witr. 

The Qunut is mentioned in a Hadith noted in Sunan Abi Dawud (Book # 8  Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Detailed Injunctions about Witr / كتاب  الوتر / Chapter # 491 The Qunut During Witr / باب  الْقُنُوتِ فِي الْوِتْرِ as Hadith number # 1425, quoted herein under:

Narrated Al-Hasan ibn Ali:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught me some words that I say during the witr. (The version of Ibn Jawwas has: I say them in the supplication of the witr.) They were: "O Allah, guide me among those Thou hast guided, grant me security among those Thou hast granted security, take me into Thy charge among those Thou hast taken into Thy charge, bless me in what Thou hast given, guard me from the evil of what Thou hast decreed, for Thou dost decree, and nothing is decreed for Thee. He whom Thou befriendest is not humbled. Blessed and Exalted art Thou, our Lord."

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَأَحْمَدُ بْنُ جَوَّاسٍ الْحَنَفِيُّ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ بُرَيْدِ بْنِ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، عَنْ أَبِي الْحَوْرَاءِ، قَالَ قَالَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ رضى الله عنهما عَلَّمَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَلِمَاتٍ أَقُولُهُنَّ فِي الْوِتْرِ قَالَ ابْنُ جَوَّاسٍ فِي قُنُوتِ الْوِتْرِ ‏ "‏ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ وَلاَ يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ ‏"‏ ‏

Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani)

Qunut (القنوت) in the context of the Witr prayer refers to a special supplication (du‘a) that is recited during the final rak‘ah of Witr.

Meaning of Qunut:

The word "Qunoot" in Arabic linguistically means obedience, humility, or devotion, especially shown during standing in prayer. In Islamic worship, it refers to a specific, formal supplication made during salah, particularly at times of need or regularly in certain prayers like Witr.

Qunut in Witr Prayer:

• When is it recited? 
• In the last rak‘ah of Witr prayer—usually after ruku‘ (according to the Hanafi and many other scholars). However, some recite it before ruku‘ (like in the Shafi‘i school). Both are acceptable.
• Dua Qunut is recited on the last unit of prayer (raka’at), after the I’tidal, while still standing, and before proceeding to the Sujud position. It is recommended to raise both hands upon reciting the Dua Qunut.
• "I'tidal" can refer to a few different things, but it most commonly refers to a specific prayer position in Islam. It's also an Arabic name that means "temperance" or "balance". In the context of prayer, "i'tidal" is the act of standing upright after bowing (ruku') and before kneeling (sujud). It's considered a fundamental part of the prayer ritual. 
• What is recited? There are a few authentic versions, but a common one is this du‘a narrated from Hasan ibn Ali (RA):
  

اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ، وَإِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ

Translation:

“O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, grant me security among those You have granted security, take me into Your charge among those You have taken into Your charge, bless me in what You have given, and protect me from the evil You have decreed. For You decree, and none can pass decree upon You. And he whom You protect is never humiliated. Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted.”

Purpose of Qunut in Witr:

• To seek guidance, protection, and blessings from Allah.
• To express humility and devotion during a critical moment of prayer.
• To build spiritual focus and a sense of closeness to Allah, especially at night.

Summary: Qunoot is a du‘a said during the Witr prayer, usually in the final rak‘ah.

• It reflects humility, submission, and sincere appeal to Allah.
• It's an established Sunnah—especially in Ramadan and Witr throughout the year.
• There are differences in when and how often it’s practiced, depending on the school of thought.

You may now like to watch a very informative video on Qunoot by Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem. In this video, Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem delves into the significance and rulings of Dua Qunoot in Witr prayer.  Discover the most authentic supplications, their proper recitation, and the scholarly perspectives on their practice.  This video serves as a comprehensive guide for those seeking to enhance their understanding and implementation of Qunoot in their nightly prayers.

Note: We have here only shared the basics regarding the Witr prayer and the Qunut. Those wanting to know more may consult the references given below.

| Source of Supplication | Resource References: | 1 | 2 |

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our exclusive reference page Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about As Salat for more Sunnah and Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad exclusive to As Salat.

Please refer to our reference page: Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more prophetic Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet ﷺ of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

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