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Both the Quran and the Hadith contain numerous duas, which encourage us to ask Allah for everything we need. Allah (‘Azza wa jall) hears all our prayers and answers them, as He says in the Quran:
“When My servants ask Me, behold, I am near. I respond to the prayer of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them listen to Me and believe in Me, that they may find a right path.” (2:186)
In another verse, Allah tells us how to call upon Him:
“Call upon your Lord humbly in secret. Indeed, He does not like the transgressors.” (7:55)
Question:
How does one perform the prayer of hardship (salat al-hajah)?
Assalamu alaikum,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Both the Quran and the Hadith contain numerous duas, which encourage us to ask Allah for everything we need. Allah (‘Azza wa jall) hears all our prayers and answers them, as He says in the Quran:
“When My servants ask Me, behold, I am near. I respond to the prayer of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them listen to Me and believe in Me, that they may find a right path.” (2:186)
In another verse, Allah tells us how to call upon Him:
“Call upon your Lord humbly in secret. Indeed, He does not like the transgressors.” (7:55)
In the hadiths below, dua (supplication) is described as follows:
“Dua is ibadah, i.e. a form of worship.” (Ihya al-Uloom, Urdu, Vol. 1, p. 557, Dar-ul-Isha’at, Karachi)
“Dua is the essence of ibadah.” (ibid)
“Ask Allah for His favor. For Allah loves to be asked of it. The best of worship is to wait for prosperity.” (ibid)
The fulfillment of dua has its prerequisites, so one cannot be content with making dua alone in a difficult situation or in distress. The importance of performing the prayer, fasting in Ramadan, paying alms, etc. cannot be exaggerated in this context. Reciting the Quran regularly is also one of the best ways to fill one’s heart with joy, contentment, peace of mind and contentment. It is in reality a great blessing, and the best wazifa. Not least, one must be careful to refrain from evil and acquire good. In this way, one will be able to strengthen one’s prayers, so that they are accepted and answered.
Below is a short treatise on a prayer called salat al-hajah, the prayer of need. A big thank you goes to Sister Javaria T. who translated it for wim.no. It is highly recommended to explore it, and insha’Allah it will be of great help, as it was narrated from the Holy Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) himself.
Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) said: “Whoever has a need from Allah or from a person, let him perform ablution properly and then pray two rak’ahs. Then let them glorify Allah and send blessings upon the Prophet (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him). Then let them say:
Translation: There is no god but Allah, the Most Forbearing, the Most Generous. Glory be to Allah, the Lord of the Overwhelming Throne. All praise is for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I ask You (Allah) for everything that leads to Your mercy, and Your overwhelming forgiveness, enrichment in all good, and freedom from all sin. Leave not any of my sins except for forgiveness, and no worry except for that for which You have a solution, and no desire, which is to attain Your pleasure, except for that which You have fulfilled, O Most Merciful!”
[Narrated by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah. The hadith has a minor weakness. Such hadiths are directly followed in relation to good deeds (fada’il al-a’mal) by general consensus among traditional Sunni scholars]
The prayer of need is very simple: The essence of it is to present one’s need to Allah, the Most High, by performing the ritual ablution (wudu), praying two rak’ahs (or four), and then praying wholeheartedly to Allah.
It is preferable to use the above or another similar dua transmitted from the beloved Prophet (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him). [Ibrahim al-Halabi, Sharh Munyat al-Musalli; al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya; Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
The inner practice of supplication involves showing our need and absolute submission to Allah, entrusting one’s affairs to Allah, and knowing that the only One who can give and benefit us is Allah the Exalted. With this, one should be sure that Allah answers our prayers, but in the way He sees best for us.
When circumstances do not allow us to pray two rak’ahs, one should still make du’a to Allah, presenting one’s needs to Him, for He answers our du’a and loves to be prayed to.
May Allah Ta’ala reward you with what is best for you both in this life and in the afterlife, ameen.
And Allah knows best.
Najeeb-ur-Rehman Naz
