Lesson 31: Supplications for the Morning and Evenings
The virtue of the early morning and the evening time
These two times are mentioned as virtuous times throughout the Qur’an and sunnah
Surah Ahzab 41-42
Allah Says: “O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance. And glorify His Praises morning and afternoon [the early morning (Fajr) and ‘Asr prayers].” [Surah Al-Ahzab (The Confederates) verse 41]
Allah Says: “So be patient (O Muhammad (ﷺ)). Verily, the Promise of Allah is true, and ask forgiveness for your fault, and glorify the praises of your Lord in the Ashi (i.e. the time period after the midnoon till sunset) and in the Ibkar (i.e. the time period from early morning or sunrise till before midnoon) [it is said that, that means the five compulsory congregational Salat (prayers) or the ‘Asr and Fajr prayers].” [Surah Al-Ghafir (The Forgiving) verse 55]
NOTE: It is mentioned from the Salaf that when you hear a verse beginning with “O you who believe!” then pay very close attention as it will be a command from Allah or a prohibition
When we say early part of the day, when is that?
It is from the time after the fajr Prayer until the Sunrise
When does the virtuous time for supplications in the evening begin?
It is from the time after Asr until the sunset
NOTE: this does not mean that you should restrict your supplications to the above times only, one can make supplications any time of day however these are virtuous times
Supplications to make during the morning and evening
There are very many supplications mentioned in the sunnah which are read in the early morning and evening
‘Uthman bin ‘Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) said, “There is no servant who recites three times every morning and every evening: ‘Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma’as-mihi shai’un fil-ardi wa laa fis-samaa’i, wa Huwas-Samee’ul-‘Aleem (In the Name of Allah with Whose Name there is nothing that can harm in the earth or in the heaven, and He is the All-Hearing and All- Knowing),’ nothing will harm him.” [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi]
This is one of the great supplications which every muslim should know and memorise so that he or she is not afflicted by some harm or calamity
Imam Al-Qurtubi’s (may Allah have mercy upon him) statement regarding this hadith
The statement of Abaan Ibn Uthmaan (one of the narrators of this hadith), may Allah be pleased with him, regarding this hadith
This supplication should be recited three times every morning and evening
The supplication opens with “In the Name of Allah” as you are seeking aid and assistance in him alone
Why does the supplication contain “and He is the All-Hearing and All- Knowing”?
Lesson 30:The importance of regular supplications during the day and night
Different supplications a Muslim can make during daily routines:
For the morning and evening
Before sleep
Before and after the prayer
Leaving and entering the home
For eating and drinking
For travelling
There is no doubt that being consistent and regular upon these supplications during the day will bring regularly occurring goodness and continuous blessings in this world and the Hereafter
It is important that one focuses on these supplications and understands them and also thinks about the purpose and goals of these dua
Shaykh Abdelrazaaq ibn Abdelmuhsin Al-Abbād (whose book we are using) mentions that he hopes that this book will benefit the servant of Allah by helping him/her to focus on and understand the supplications of the day and night
Importance of Routines and Supplications during morning and evening
Every Muslim is in need of knowing the routines connected to the day and the night as well as supplications during these times, whether he is active or inactive, so that your day and night becomes acts of worship and you are rewarded for them
‘A’isha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to remember Allah at all moments.” [Sahih Muslim]
The Prophet (ﷺ) used to remember Allah at all times, and indeed whomsoever ponders over the sunnah will find that there are supplications for the morning and evening, for sleeping and waking, before and after the prayer, for eating and drinking, remembrances for when you are boarding or travelling and there are supplications for removing grief and sorrow and even supplications for when you see something you like or dislike
In having these regular supplications during the day, then indeed this ensures that there is a regular connection between the servant and his lord and that this connection is strengthened
Remembering Allah regularly is also a means of being grateful for his continuous mercy, bounties, generosity and blessings he has bestowed upon us
Remembering Allah regularly means that you are relying upon him solely and indeed also places such a person in the protection of Allah
Remembering Allah regularly is an affirmation and confirmation of the Oneness of Allah
A person who is constant upon the remembrance of Allah throughout the day understands that indeed it is Allah alone who is deserving of worship
Ibnul Qayyim said remembrance and supplication is a tree which brings into fruition those matters that you have been striving for and there is no way to obtain these fruits except through this tree of supplication and remembrance, and the more that this tree becomes larger and its roots become more firm, then indeed it will have more fruits
The benefits and results of supplications and remembering Allah are so great that once cannot encompass or explain them
It is something deserving and required of a believer that he/she guards over these remembrances
Every remembrance has its appropriate time in accordance with the sunnah
Allah says: “Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) men and women, the believers men and women (who believe in Islamic Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allah), the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which Allah has ordered and in abstaining from all that Allah has forbidden), the men and the women who are humble (before their Lord Allah), the men and the women who give Sadaqat (i.e. Zakat, and alms, etc.), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast) (the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the optional Nawafil fasting), the men and the women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues (while sitting, standing, lying, etc. for more than 300 times extra over the remembrance of Allah during the five compulsory congregational prayers) or praying extra additional Nawafil prayers of night in the last part of night, etc.) Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).” [Surah Al-Ahzab (The Confederates) verse 35]
The statement of the salaf regarding the above verse:
The statement of Ibn Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him)
The statement of Mujaahid (may Allah have mercy on him)
The statement of Abu ‘Amr Ibnu Salaah (may Allah have mercy on him)
There are many books written on the topic of supplications during the day and night, however one should be careful when choosing a book to read as some contain weak narrations.
NOTE: Where does Imam An-Nasaa’i’s name come from?
Shaykh Abdelmuhsin Al-Abbād will now go onto different duas one can make during the day and night
Q&A:
Can Muslims take part in celebrations for bonfire night or halloween?
Lesson 29: Forgiveness, Repentance and how this is related to Tawheed
Recap of previous lesson:
The need for Repentance
To begin your dua with Repenting from sins
Criteria for Repentance (from Imam An-Nawawi):
Seeking forgiveness is often mentioned in connection with seeking repentance
Qur’an verse: “And (commanding you): “Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words). But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).” [Surah Hud (Hud) verse 3]
Qur’an verse: “”And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah).”” [Surah Hud (Hud) verse 52]
This indicates that there is a great connection between seeking forgiveness and making repentance as well as the great need a servant has to perform this
Sins are of two types
Type 1:
This is a sin that has already gone by
However even though it has gone by, it has consequences
Therefore for this you are ask Allah for protection against its evil consequences
Type 2:
This is a sin that you fear you may committing
Therefore for this you ask Allah to give you firmness and resolve not to fall into it
A servant returns back to Allah in both cases
A person who commits a sin is like the example of one who is following a pathway which is leading to his own destruction. And indeed this path will not lead you to your goals and aspirations, rather it only leads to destruction
Therefore one who is upon sins then it is required for this person to turn back from this path and pursue the pathway of his salvation
Difference between Forgiveness and Repentance
Sometimes people uses them interchangeably however they have a difference
Therefore there are 2 important matters
1. To abandon sins
2. To turn to Allah and the right path
Seeking repentance is in connection to returning to the right pathway and to be kept upon this pathway
Seeking forgiveness is in connection with abandoning the pathway of sins and asking Allah for salvation from the consequences of these sins
Seeking forgiveness has a great ranking and status. Shaykh Ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy upon him) mentioned that a servant is taken out from the disliked actions and onto the beloved and good actions by way of seeking forgiveness and making repentance, and from the deficient actions onto the perfect and fulfilling action, and a servant is raised from the lowly and degraded position to the higher and perfect position
Therefore a servant of Allah, who recognises and remembers his lord, then indeed this person increases in his knowledge and insight into his religion such that he will find improvement in all of his actions
However whoever finds that he has a shortcoming in the presence of his heart, then this person is in great need of seeking forgiveness and making repentance
There are great benefits to seeking forgiveness and making repentance
Connection between seeking forgiveness and Tawheed
One of the things which highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness is that in the Qur’an it is often connected with the tawheed and the shahaadah which is the greatest statement
Qur’an verse: So know (O Muhammad (ﷺ)) that La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women. And Allah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest (in your homes). [Surah Muhammad verse 19]
Qur’an verse: “And (commanding you): “Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words). But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).” [Surah Hud (Hud) verse 3]
Qur’an verse: Say (O Muhammad (ﷺ)): “I am only a human being like you. It is inspired in me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God – Allah), therefore take Straight Path to Him (with true Faith Islamic Monotheism) and obedience to Him, and seek forgiveness of Him. And woe to Al-Mushrikun (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, idolaters, etc. – see V. 2:105). [Surah Fussilat (They are Explained in Detail) verse 6]
Other examples:
When concluding a gathering and rising up, the supplication (dua) made contains both the shahaadah as well as seeking forgiveness
The supplication made after performing wudhu contains the shahaadah as well as seeking forgiveness
Lesson 28: The Danger of asking for Destruction (upon yourself or others) and the need for Repentance
One needs to have an understanding of what they are making dua for and not to be hasty about it
Therefore a muslim needs to think carefully about what they make dua for
Many people when they become angry or agitated they may make dua against themselves, their family or their wealth
Allah says: “And man invokes (Allah) for evil as he invokes (Allah) for good and man is ever hasty [i.e., if he is angry with somebody, he invokes (saying): “O Allah! Curse him, etc.” and that one should not do, but one should be patient].” [Surah Al-Isra (The Journey by Night) verse 11]
This is one of the worst types of statements that a person may utter when he/she is in an angry/emotional state (to make dua for one’s own destruction, or for the Hellfire or to be prevented from entering Jannah or asking for himself to be cursed)
Only one who is at the pinnacle of foolishness makes these types of statements, however mankind are hasty and when they are hasty they are illogical and rash
Ibn Qayyim says regarding the above verse from Surah Al-Isra that Allah is informing us of the hastiness of mankind when making dua, to such an extent that they would make these types of dua for their own destruction or against their children or wealth and were Allah to answer his dua such a person would be destroyed
What did the Salaf say about this matter ?
Statement of Qataadah (may Allah be pleased with him)
Statement of Mujaahid (may Allah be pleased with him)
Statement of Al-Hasan Al-Basri (may Allah be pleased with him)
Sometimes a person may become angered by their family and thus they make dua against their own family in haste and in reality that is something that they would not like, however the foolishness which comes with such haste overtakes them
It is obligatory for a Muslim to be cautioned and warned against this, especially in times of anger and agitated
Dua is supposed to bring goodness and remove harm, therefore it is incorrect to do the opposite and ask for destruction
Therefore a Muslim should become accustomed to making dua FOR himself, his children, his wife and his wealth and asking for righteousness and rectification in these affairs and that he controls himself when he is angry
To begin your dua with Repenting from sins
We covered this in Lesson 23
One should being his dua by mentioning his sins and asking Allah for repentance
This is important because if sins are allowed to build up they could become a reason for your dua not to be answered
Seeking repentance and being sincere in doing so is among the causes for your dua to be accepted
What did Yahya Ibn Muadh Ar-Raazi (may Allah have mercy on him) say?
Sins have degrading and terrible consequences in this world and in the hereafter,
Sinning eradicates the blessings
It brings punishment and many types of difficulties in your life, health, and wealth
