Adhkar for Specific Needs

Dealing With Thoughts of Disbelief

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

Thoughts of disbelief sometimes come into my mind. Does this take me out of the fold of Islam?

No this does not take you out of the fold of Islam. We are only taken to account for the thoughts which we are content with and agree with. We will not be taken to account for the thoughts which you dislike and ignore. This is a manifestation of Allah’s bounty. The Prophet said ﷺ : “Allah has overlooked for my sake my nation’s mistakes, forgetfulness and thoughts as long as they do not talk about it or act upon it.”

One way of driving these thoughts away is to repeat Allah’s name lengthening the ‘a’ (Allaaaah) and raising the head upwards towards the sky.

There is nothing better than imploring Allah for His assistance and remembering Him constantly. Anyone who feels that they are unable to purify themselves should turn to Allah and say (as Imam al-Haddad says):

يا رَبِّ قَدْ غَلَبَتْنِي وَبالأَمَـانِي سَبَـتْنِي
وَفِي الْحُظُوْظِ كَبَتْنِي وَقَيَّــدَتْنِي بَالاكْبَــالْ

قَـدْ اسْـتَعَنْتُكَ رَبِي عَلَى مُــدَاوَاة قَلْبِيْ
وَحَـلِّ عُقْـدَة كَرْبِـي فَانْظُرْ إِلَى الْغَـمِّ يَنْجَـالْ

My Lord, my lower self has overpowered me

And deluded me with false hopes,

It subdues me with worldly pleasures,

and shackles me in chains.

I seek Your support, my Lord,

in curing my heart.

Release me from distress and look

(kindly) on my sorrow and dispel it.

How Does a Seeker of Knowledge Attain Openings?

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

How does a seeker of knowledge attain openings?

Seekers must abide by the etiquettes of seeking knowledge. They must spend time reviewing what they have studied with fellow students and write down important points which they learn.

They should call upon Allah by His names the Opener, the All-Knowing 100 times a day:

يا فَتَّاحُ يا عَلِيمُ

Ya Fattāḥ ya `Alīm

They should also repeat Ayat al-Kursi followed by this prayer upon the Prophet ﷺ :

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ عَلى سَيِّدِنا مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلي آلِ سَيِّدِنا مُحَمَّدٍ في كُلِّ لَمْحَةٍ وَ نَفَسٍ بِعَدَدِ كُلِّ مَعْلومٍ لَكَ

Allahumma salli wa sallim ‘ala sayyidina Muhammad wa ‘ala ali sayyidina Muhammad fi kulli lamhatin wa nafasin bi `adadi kulli ma`lumin lak

O Allah, bestow prayers and peace on our master Muhammad and his Family in every instant and every breath equal to the amount of everything known to You

Struggling With Wrongdoing

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

Many young people complain that it is difficult for them to leave certain acts of disobedience. When they do manage to repent, they often fall into the same sin again. How are they able to repent sincerely?

Do not deem yourself incapable of repenting even if you keep committing the sin a hundred times a day. Do not forget that you have a Lord Who is completely aware of you. As long as you repent to Him sincerely He will see this, even if you keep repeating the same sin. He will rid you of this disobedience in due course, according to your sincerity.

You must never cut your connection to Him. Never believe what the Devil, your enemy, tells you. Do not say to yourself that there is no hope for me and that I will never be able to stop doing this. No! This is a ploy which your lower self and the Devil use to cut you off from your Lord.

Go back to Him in a state of remorse, and say: “O Lord, help me.” If you fall into it again, return to Allah with remorse once again, repent and resolve never to do it again.

When Allah witnesses your sincerity and persistence, He will have mercy on you. He will strengthen you and you save you from this act of disobedience, whenever He wishes.

Allah says: Those who, when they do something shameful or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins – and who can forgive sins except Allah? – and who never knowingly persist in doing wrong (Al-Imran, 3:135).

Distance yourself from the people, the places and the devices which cause you to sin.

Instead keep the company of the pious and make abundant remembrance of Allah. This will have an effect on you.

The following adhkar are particularly beneficial. Recite the following at least ten times a day:

هُوَ اللهُ الَّذي لا إِلهَ إِلا هو عَالِمُ الغَيْبِ والشَّهادَةِ هُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ الرَّحِيم

Huw’Allahu’lladhi la ilaha illa hu, ‘Alimu’l ghaybi wash-shahadah, Hu arrahmanu’ rrahim

“He is Allah, there is no deity save Him, Knower of the unseen and the seen, He is the All-Compassionate, the All-Merciful.” (Al-Hashr, 59:22)

Recite this 100 times a day:

رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لي صَدْرِي و يَسِّرْ لي أَمْرِي

Rabbi-shrah li sadri wa yassir li amri

“My Lord bring tranquillity to my heart and give me ease in my affair.” (Ta Ha 20:25-26)

All enabling grace is from Allah.

Protection from Acid Attacks

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

There has been a spate of acid attacks recently. What can we recite to protect ourselves from these kind of attacks?

Recite 450 times:

حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيل

Hasbunallahu wa ni`ama’l-wakil

“Allah is sufficient for us and He is the best protector.” (3:173)

Recite 100 times:

وَأُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِي إِلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ

Wa ufawwidu amri ila-Allah, inna-Allaha basirun bil-‘ibaad

“I surrender my affair to Allah: Allah is well aware of His servants.” (40:44)

Adhkar for Masjid al-Aqsa

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) recommends reciting the following adkhar every day with the intention of bringing relief and protecting Masjid al-Aqsa from being violated.

Recite 450 times:

حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيل

Hasbunallahu wa ni`ama’l-wakil

“Allah is sufficient for us and He is the best protector.” (3:173)

Recite 100 times:

وَأُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِي إِلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ

Wa ufawwidu amri ila-Allah, inna-Allaha basirun bil-‘ibaad

“I surrender my affair to Allah: Allah is well aware of His servants.” (40:44)

Recite 70 times:

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ

Rabbana’ghfirlanaa dhunubanaa wa israafana fi amrinaa wa thabbit aqdamanaa wa’nsurnaa `ala’l-qawmi’l-kafirin

‘Our Lord, forgive us our sins and our transgressions, make our feet firm and assist us against those who reject faith.’ (3:147)

Recite 10 times:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وسَلِّمْ على سَيِّدِنا مُحَمَّدٍ الَّذي أَسْرَيْتَ بِهِ مِنْ المَسْجِدِ الحَرامِ إلى المَسْجِدِ الأَقْصى، وأَعْرَجْتَ بِهِ إِلى السَّمَاوَاتِ العُلا، وعلى آلِهِ وصَحْبِهِ خَيْرِ المَلا، وعلى مَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسانٍ وأَيْقِظْ قُلُوبَ المُسْلِمينَ، ورُدَّ كَيْدَ أَعْدَائِكَ مِنْ اليَهُودِ المُعْتَدِينَ على بَيْتِ المَقْدِس، وكُلِّ مَنْ والاهُمْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الشَّرِّ في الأَرْضِ وادْفَعْ شَرَّهُمْ وضُرَّهُمْ عَنَّا وعَنْ أَهْلِ لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا الله، وأَلْهِمْنا رُشْدَنا في كُلِّ حَرَكَةٍ وسُكُونٍ يا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِين

Allahumma salli wa sallim ‘ala sayyidinaa Muhammad alladhi asrayta bihi min al-masjid’il-harami il’al-masjidil aqsa, wa a’rajta bihi ilassamaawatil ‘ula, wa ‘ala aalihi wa sahbihi khayri’l-mala, wa ‘ala man tabi’ahum bi ihsaan, wa ayqidh quluba’l-muslimin, wa rudda kayda a’daika minal yahudil mu’tadina ‘ala bayti’l-maqdis, wa kulli man waalaahum min ahli sharri fil ardh, wadfa’ sharrahum wa durrahum ‘anna wa ‘an ahli laa ilaaha ill’Allah, wa alhimnaa rushdanaa fi kulli harakatin wa sukun, ya Arhamarraahimin!

O Allah, bestow Your prayers and peace upon our Master Muhammad, the one who You caused to travel by night from the Masjid al-Haram to the Masjid al-Aqsa and then raised to the highest heavens and upon his Family and Companions, the best of people and upon those who follow them with excellence. May Allah awaken the hearts of the Muslims and foil the plots of the aggressors, Your enemies who are violating Bayt al-Maqdis and all those who support them among the people of evil on the earth. May He protect us and all the people of la ilaha ill’Allah from their harm and evil and may He inspire us to do what is right in every moment, O Most Merciful!

Adhkar for Someone Preparing to Get Married

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

I am preparing to get married. Is there something I should recite at this time?

Recite the following in abundance:

مَا شَاءَ اللهُ لا حَوْلَ ولا قوَّةَ إلَّا باللهِ

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وآلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وبارِكْ وسَلِّمْ

Ma sha Allah la hawl wa la quwata illa billah

Allahumma salli ala sayyidina Muhammad wa ali sayyidina Muhammad wa barik wa sallim

This is what Allah willed; there is no strength or power save by Allah.

O Allah, bestow prayers, peace and blessings upon our Master Muhammad and his Family

Also repeat the last two verses of Surat al-Tawbah. This has the effect of bringing harmony between people.

لَقَدْ جَاءكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُلْ حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ

Laqad ja’akum rasulumin anfusikum `azizun `alayhi ma `anittum harisun `alaykum bi’lmu’minin ra’ufurrahim. Fa in tawallaw faqul hasbiyallahu la ilaha illa Hu `alayhi tawakkaltu wa huwa rabbu’l-`arshi’-l-`azim.

There has come to you a Messenger from among yourselves, grievous to whom is your burden, concerned (is he) for you; for the believers (he is) full of compassion, merciful. If they turn away say: ‘Allah is sufficient for me; there is no deity save He. On Him do I rely; He is the Lord of the Awesome Throne.’ (Al-Tawbah, 9:128-9)

On Moving into a New House

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

What should we do upon moving into a new house for blessings?

You should intend what the pious intended when they moved into a new house. Part of that is to intend that your house be a place of mercy, knowledge, remembrance of Allah and a place in which guests are received and honoured.

It should be a place in which the images of the pious are seen and their voices are heard and not a place where the images of the corrupt are seen and their voices are heard.

You should invite the pious, your relatives and those that you love for Allah’s sake and recite the mawlid along with Surah Ya Sin as a housewarming celebration.

You should recite the Qur’an and the adhkar in the house in abundance. Surat al-Baqarah specifically should be recited , ideally every three days but if that is not possible then at least once.

Whenever any family member enters they should mention Allah’s name and recite Ayat al-Kursi once and Surat al-Ikhlas three times.

Dhikr for Someone Close to Death

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

What dhikr can we give someone who is close to death?

They can recite the following 40 times and then repeat this at intervals:

لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنْ الْظَّالِمِين

La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu min az-zalimin

There is no deity other than You. Transcendent are You. Truly I am one of the wrongdoers.

Verses of Poetry to Recite in Times of Hardship

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz recommends repeating these verses of poetry especially in times of difficulty. They are recited before and after Fajr in Dar al-Mustafa and after Isha. He composed them in Madinah al-Munawwarah on 29th Rabi’ al Awwal 1437 :

يَاعُمْدَتِي ياعُدَّتِي يامُنْقِذِي مِنْ شِدَّتِي

You are my reliance, You are my support, You are my saviour from all hardship

وَجَّهْتُ لَكَ وِجْهَتِي عَجِّلْ بِغَوْثِي ياعَظِيمْ

I turn my whole being to You – rush to My Aid, O Most Great!

وَسَخِّرِ الْأَسْبَابَا وَذَلِّـلِ الصِّعَابَا

Make easy the means for all good and remove all difficulties

وَافْتَحْ لَنَا الْأَبْوَابَا بِالنَّصْرِ مِنْكَ ياكَرِيمْ

And open for us all doors with Your support, O Most Generous

وَرُدَّ كَيْدَ الْكَائِدِ وَكُلَّ طَاغٍ مَارِدِ

And foil the plot of every schemer and rebellious tyrant

(وَحَاسِدٍ مُعَانِدِ بِحَقِّ سِرْ (طسم

And every envious and stubborn enemy, by the right and secret of “Ta Sin Mim”

(“Ta Sin Mim” are the letters which appear at the begin of Surat Al-Shu’ara and Surat Al-Qasas)

Thanks to majlisalmuwasolahsingapura.wordpress.com

Dhikr to Remove Fear and Anxiety

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

What can be read to remove fear and anxiety?

Firstly we need to strengthen our trust in Allah. We can also use the following three remedies:

Recite Ayat al-Kursi, Surat al-Inshirah and Surat Quraysh (and if possible Surat al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and al-Nas) after every prayer, before sleeping and every time you enter and leave the house.

Recite the following verse 3 times in the morning and 3 times in the evening

ثُمَّ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن بَعْدِ الْغَمِّ أَمَنَةً نُّعَاسًا يَغْشَى طَآئِفَةً مِّنكُمْ وَطَآئِفَةٌ قَدْ أَهَمَّتْهُمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ يَظُنُّونَ بِاللَّهِ غَيْرَ الْحَقِّ ظَنَّ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ يَقُولُونَ هَل لَّنَا مِنَ الأَمْرِ مِن شَيْءٍ قُلْ إِنَّ الأَمْرَ كُلَّهُ لِلَّهِ يُخْفُونَ فِي أَنفُسِهِم مَّا لاَ يُبْدُونَ لَكَ يَقُولُونَ لَوْ كَانَ لَنَا مِنَ الأَمْرِ شَيْءٌ مَّا قُتِلْنَا هَا هُنَا قُل لَّوْ كُنتُمْ فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ لَبَرَزَ الَّذِينَ كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقَتْلُ إِلَى مَضَاجِعِهِمْ وَلِيَبْتَلِيَ اللَّهُ مَا فِي صُدُورِكُمْ وَلِيُمَحِّصَ مَا فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ

(Al `Imran, 3:154)

Recite 100 times a day:

رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لي صَدْرِي و يَسِّرْ لي أَمْرِي

Rabbi’shrah li sadri wa yassir li amri

“My Lord, bring tranquillity to my heart and give me ease in my affair.” (Ta Ha 20:25-26)