QUESTION:
Narrated Khabbab bin Al-Arat:
We complained to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) (of the persecution inflicted on us by the infidels) while he was sitting in the shade of the Ka`bah, leaning over his Burd (i.e. covering sheet). We said to him, “Would you seek help for us? Would you pray to Allah for us?” He said, “Among the nations before you a (believing) man would be put in a ditch that was dug for him, and a saw would be put over his head and he would be cut into two pieces; yet that (torture) would not make him give up his religion. His body would be combed with iron combs that would remove his flesh from the bones and nerves, yet that would not make him abandon his religion. By Allah, this religion (i.e. Islam) will prevail till a traveler from Sana (in Yemen) to Hadrarmaut will fear none but Allah, or a wolf as regards his sheep, but you (people) are hasty.
حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا قَيْسٌ، عَنْ خَبَّابِ بْنِ الأَرَتِّ، قَالَ شَكَوْنَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهْوَ مُتَوَسِّدٌ بُرْدَةً لَهُ فِي ظِلِّ الْكَعْبَةِ، قُلْنَا لَهُ أَلاَ تَسْتَنْصِرُ لَنَا أَلاَ تَدْعُو اللَّهَ لَنَا قَالَ “ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ فِيمَنْ قَبْلَكُمْ يُحْفَرُ لَهُ فِي الأَرْضِ فَيُجْعَلُ فِيهِ، فَيُجَاءُ بِالْمِنْشَارِ، فَيُوضَعُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ فَيُشَقُّ بِاثْنَتَيْنِ، وَمَا يَصُدُّهُ ذَلِكَ عَنْ دِينِهِ، وَيُمْشَطُ بِأَمْشَاطِ الْحَدِيدِ، مَا دُونَ لَحْمِهِ مِنْ عَظْمٍ أَوْ عَصَبٍ، وَمَا يَصُدُّهُ ذَلِكَ عَنْ دِينِهِ، وَاللَّهِ لَيُتِمَّنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ حَتَّى يَسِيرَ الرَّاكِبُ مِنْ صَنْعَاءَ إِلَى حَضْرَمَوْتَ، لاَ يَخَافُ إِلاَّ اللَّهَ أَوِ الذِّئْبَ عَلَى غَنَمِهِ، وَلَكِنَّكُمْ تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ ”.
Regarding this Hadith, it seems that we should not ask Allah for assistance for the people of Palestine as it goes against this Hadith . Please comment showing the stance of this Hadith.
ANSWER:
At the onset, it is imperative to note that every aspect of Deen must be understood in its correct perspective. The great task of ensuring that we understand the Ahadith of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam correctly has been fulfilled by the commentators of Hadith who are known as the ‘Muhadditeen.’ We are simply required to refer to their explanation and understand the correct purport of the narrations, otherwise we could be misguided.
Ibn Battal Rahimahullah a great commentator of Hadith explains that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam did not respond to Khabbab Radiallahu Anhu and those with him by making Dua upon the calamities and difficulties of the Ummah. The reason for doing so is that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam knew that that the calamities that afflicted them were already destined so that they may be rewarded (for their hardships), as was the habit and way of Allah Ta’ala with the followers of the Ambiya Alaihimus Salaam. They would exercise patience in the Being of Allah until they would finally be assisted and greatly rewarded (by Allah Ta’ala).
However, he further states that it is necessary and incumbent upon those other than the Ambiya Alaihimus Salaam to make Dua whenever afflicted with difficulty, as they are not aware of those things which the Ambiya Alahimus Salaam were aware of. This is a clear indication that we should be constantly engaging in Dua for the victory of the Palestinian people and the destruction of their enemies.
قال الحافظ: قال ابن بطال : إنما لم يجب النبی صلى الله عليه و سلم لسؤال خباب ومن معه بالدعاء على الكفار مع قوله تعالى: «ادعوني أستجب لكم» ، وقوله :فلولا إذ جاءهم بأسنا تضرعوا؛ لأنه علم أنه قد سبق القدر بما جرى عليهم من البلوى ليؤجروا عليها، كما جرت به عادة الله تعالى في أتباع الأنبياء، فصبروا على الشدة في ذات الله، ثم كانت لهم العاقبة بالنصر وجزيل الأجر، قال: فأما غير الأنبياء فواجب عليهم الدعاء عند كل نازلة، لأنهم لم يطلعوا على ما اطلع عليه النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم (بذل المجهود 9/250)
This explanation of Ibn Battal Rahimahullah is further supported by another narration of Shua’bul Imaan which clearly states that when afflicted with calamities and hardship, then resort to Dua.
عن أَبِي أُمَامَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: حَصِّنُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بالزَّكاةِ، وَدَاوُوا مَرْضَاكُمْ بِالصَّدَقَةِ، وَاسْتَقْبِلُوا أَمْوَاجَ الْبَلَاءِ بِالدُّعَاءِ )شعب الإيمان #3279(
Hadrat Abu Umamah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Protect your wealth through Zakaat, treat your sick ones through Sadaqah and approach the waves of calamity through Dua.”
In conclusion, let Shaytaan not deceive us by depriving us from making Dua. Things that may seem impossible to us, become possible through the institute of Dua. When Hadrat Zakariyya Alaihis Salaam earnestly turned to Allah Ta’ala in Dua, then he was blessed with a child despite his old age. It is perhaps through the Duas and crying of the Ummah that we are witnessing the assistance of Allah Ta’ala with the Mujahideen, who are able to wipe out huge Israeli tankers and fully-equipped soldiers, in spite of them being poorly equipped. We should never become complacent in our Ibaadaat and Duas, but instead, continue begging Allah Ta’ala to assist the Muslims of Palestine and the Ummah that are suffering in various parts of the world.
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: – 09 Jumadal Ula 1445 / 24 November 2023
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
