NorthWest Muslim Winter 2021

NorthWest Muslim

Your Issue

Photo By Beenish Khurshid

Winter 2021

Your Voice

Photo By Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash

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time between when we are born and die seems to be enormous for us. We sleep on average 8 hours a day, that's one third of our lives. If an average person lives up to 60 years of age, God willing, he might be sleeping for at least 20 years of his life.

Around 3560 days working or approximately 9 or 10 years of our life working. And countless more hours doing chores to sustain himself and others.

That leaves us with around a few hours a day, approximately 10 years, if possible, for things like entertainment or hobbies. This is the time which we can use to do things which are meaningful for this life and hereafter. So try this exercise: think about your life goals and the opportunities available to you. Then consider how you can invest your time to be more aligned with your goals, and if these activities help you to win in the hereafter. If you can figure out how to do that, then that’s a home run.

This issue, one of our editors has moved on due to her commitments. We like to thank her for all her efforts, and time she has put into this magazine to make it better. Thank you very much Ayesha!

We are also looking for new editors who can volunteer with us to edit our pieces. If you, or anyone you may know, can help, please contact us.

Like always we like to thank our readers, editors, writers, proofreaders, designers and everyone who helps us every quarter to bring out an issue. I hope you enjoy it and I am looking forward to your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to post on Facebook or Instagram, or email us at northwestmuslim@gmail.com.

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Editorial ----------------------------------------------- 02 Content ------------------------------------------------ 04 About Us ---------------------------------------------- 06 Women & Money------------------------------------ 08 Bring Joy Not Pain --------------------------------- 14 The Promise of Istikhara ------------------------- 22 Back Cover-------------------------------------------- 30

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Editor: Beenish Khurshid

Proofreaders: Harris Nami

Contents & Articles By: Beenish Khurshid, Rabia Saad

Shaista Khurshid Imam Sikander Ziad Hashmi

Editor-in-Chief, Layout, Design & Illustrations: Shaista Khurshid

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Quran and Hadith Quotes www. Quran.com , www.Sunnah.com

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By Rabia Saad, Karachi, Pakistan FOR A MAJORITY OF MUSLIMS IN MUSLIM SOCIETIES, FINANCIAL CARE BY A MALE FIGURE COMES WITH A SENSE OF PRIVILEGE. further a perspective of female financial independence in Pakistan is apparently an uphill task. But then the question becomes, ‘why do we even need to have ‘a’ perspective in a complexly diverse society, where notions cannot just be cultural or social or re-

ligious, but also socio-religio-cultural all at one point in time.

Pakistani society is perceived to be dominated by an Islamic belief system, but obviously the socio-cultural interpretations of women empowerment in terms of financial autonomy is found exploitative in most cases because there is still no conversation around financial planning offered to working or stay-at-home wom(Continued on page 10)

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(Continued from page 9)

en.

In this regard, I was able to talk to a diverse set of women in an attempt to explore how the women themselves may approach their relationship with money.

Among them, some of the housewives apparently do not have much to complain about their husbands, but sometimes, they have felt left out when it comes to money. One of the respondents called it being ‘uncomfortable’ and ‘awkward’ asking the husband for money. While others elaborately opened up about the unnecessary humiliation and discriminatory attitude for being financial dependents of the men.

But there were still others who were highly content being the show-runners

(read: independent decision makers) of their domestic life because they are handed over the entire income to run the family affairs. They only consult their husbands for necessary We can sense that in es there is a link of mon-

interestingly a third kind Another respondent Ms. her husband has been life to meet particular

“

The sociocultural interpretations

advice. both sets of experiencey with freedom. But,

of women empowerment of opinion also exists. in terms of financial autonomy is found exploitative in most cases”

Nasir, who along with earning for most of her upbringing choices for

her children, does not

equate money with

freedom. According to

her, “Women’s earning (Continued on page 11)

10

(Continued from page 10)

may be referred to as freedom but it may equally not be freedom, because in the larger picture she is spending it on family priorities. It is more about meeting needs. And it may sometimes burden the women and may work against their biological framing.” Nasir feels that it would be much better if the burden of earning is carried out by the men while women can focus on nurturing the home with her

presence.

Nasir’s opinions may sound to be harmonious to many, but when I put them in front of a female gender rights’ activist, she criticized it with a particular reasoning, “Unfortunately, we do not offer financial planning to our working women.

They are paid less, having greater difficulty securing assets. Their growth trajectory is already restricted by family obligations and child bearing responsibilities.

Their jobs are poorly incentivized with no pensions. We have made work a burden for women. The majority of the women are so tired in their professional lives, they never feel autonotheir hand. They also do financial impact they

When Ms. Nasir pointed ance and natural overworking women and dorsed the idea of skills who want to earn with

“

Unfortunate- mous with their money in ly in South

not feel happy with the

Asian coun-

have on their family.”

tries, women are told that smart phones, banks and financial services are too smart for them.”

out the biological imballapping of duties for mothers, she also entraining for the women personal willingness and (Continued on page 12)

11

(Continued from page 11)

choice. According to global reports on the financial agency of women, unfortunately in South Asian countries, women are told that smart phones, banks and financial services are too smart for them. From the context of risk management, financial alienation of women in homes results in increased dependency on a single person and if that male figure goes missing (in case of separation/death), women

have to face serious repercussions of that dependency.

This financial alienation served so much so that cluded in money discuscalled a deprivation or As another respondent this article shared, “I am been said in Islam that

“

I am not comfortable with this idea because it takes away a lot of my humanity with it. And Islam cannot take away anyone’s humanity.”

for women has been obwomen are not even insions. It can be easily violation of a human right. who was approached for not very sure that it has only men are financially

responsible for women,

I may not be qualified as

my knowledge is incom-

plete regarding this, but of

course I am not comfort-

able with this idea be-

cause it takes away a lot

of my humanity with it.

And Islam cannot take away anyone’s humanity. Then I see so many examples, where Prophet’s wife was financially independent. So I think that is not the idea which Islam gives.”

She further shares about her student life during which she felt financially supported and taken care of by her father but she always felt the need to equally share (Continued on page 13)

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(Continued from page 12)

the responsibility which demands of the profeschoice. She further art education, I also felt nances in a way not to

instead of going for a

“

We see that women can bring in a completely different perspective in money discussions, which men miss very often.”

came with the specific sional degree of her adds, “Because I was in that I managed my fiincrease the burden. So

full-fledged photography

minor, I opted for print-

making. Though both

were my interests, print

-making was financially

less burdensome. I did

photography but it was

traditional and not digi-

tal, since for that I had

to buy a digital camera

which, at that time, I

myself wouldn’t have been able to afford, and my father would have had to pay.

After finishing my studies, I would say paying back would be a crude term. Rather, I began contributing back as soon as I started earning.”

We see that women can bring in a completely different perspective in money discussions, which men miss very often. And their perspective can be very use-

ful. Gender equality requires equal enjoyment by women and men of sociallyvalued goods, opportunities, resources and rewards. With a growing complex society, where men and women both are financial contributors, there is a need to move beyond gender in order to initiate suitable financial planning for all parties. After all, all women do not carry the privilege of a male presence or a male as a financial caretaker in their homes.

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Photo by Ashkan Forouzani on Unsplash

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This Khutba has been Formatted into an Article.

By: Imam Sikander Ziad Hashmi, Ottawa, Ontario

magine a person walking with a heavy load, and the load keeps falling. This heavy load is not manageable, he is unable to move forward, he is clearly struggling. Or you see

someone who is injured, walking with crutches and has a cast. In such situations, most people would try to help. They would offer a helping hand. Of course, that would be the right thing to do. ‫ َع ِن النَّ ِ ِب صىل‬،َ‫ َع ْن َأ ِ​ِب ه َُريْ َرة‬،‫ قَا َل ُح ِدثْ ُت َع ْن َأ ِ​ِب َصا ِل ٍح‬،‫ َع ِن ا َأل ْ َْع ِش‬،‫ َح َّدثَ ِ​ِن َأ ِ​ِب‬،‫ِش‬ ُّ ِ ‫َح َّدثَنَا ُع َب ْيدُ ْب ُن َأ ْس َب ِاط ْب ِن ُم َح َّم ٍد الْ ُق َر‬ ‫َّس ِ​ِف‬ ٍ ِ ‫َ​َّس عَ َىل ُم ْع‬ ُ َّ ‫هللا عليه وسمل قَا َل‏‏‏" َم ْن ن َ َّف َس َع ْن ُم ْس ِ ٍمل ُك ْرب َ ًة ِم ْن ُك َر ِب ادلُّ نْ َيا نَفَّ َس‬ َ َّ ‫اَّلل َع ْن ُه ُك ْرب َ ًة ِم ْن ُك َر ِب ي َ ْو ِم الْ ِقيَا َم ِة َو َم ْن ي‬

(

Continued on page 16)

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the flip side, is to actively take part in

(Continued from page 15)

‫اَّلل‬ ُ َّ ‫اَّلل عَلَ ْي ِه ِ​ِف ادلُّ نْ َيا َواأل آ ِخ َر ِة َو َم ْن َس َ َ​َت عَ َىل ُم ْس ِ ٍمل ِ​ِف ادلُّ نْ َيا َس َ َ​َت‬ ُ َّ ‫َ​َّس‬ َ َّ ‫ادلُّ نْ َيا ي‬ ‫‏‬.‫اَّلل ِ​ِف َع ْو ِن الْ َع ْب ِد َما َ​َك َن الْ َع ْبدُ ِ​ِف َع ْو ِن َأ ِخي ِه‏‏"‏‬ ُ َّ ‫عَل َ ْي ِه ِ​ِف ادلُّ نْ َيا َواألآ ِخ َر ِة َو‬ ٌ ‫ قَا َل َأبُو ِع َيَس ه َ​َذا َح ِد‬.‫قَا َل َو ِ​ِف الْ َب ِاب َع ِن ا ْب ِن ُ َْع َر َو ُع ْق َب َة ْب ِن عَا ِم ٍر‏‏‬ ‫يث‬ َ ‫ َوقَدْ َر َوى َأبُو َع َوان َ َة َوغَ ْ ُْي َوا ِح ٍد َه َذا الْ َح ِد‬.‫َح َس ٌن‏‏‬ ‫يث َع ِن ا َأل ْ َْع ِش َع ْن َأ ِ​ِب‬ ‫َصا ِل ٍح َع ْن َأ ِ​ِب ه َُر ْي َر َة َع ِن النَّ ِ ِب صىل هللا عليه وسمل َ َْن َو ُه َول َ ْم ي َ ْذ ُك ُروا ِفي ِه‬

being empathetic, and strictly avoid making trouble for others. ِ َّ ُ‫َح َّدثَنَا َع ْبد‬ ‫ َع ْن‬- ‫ ي َ ْع ِ​ِن ا ْب َن قَي ٍْس‬- ،ُ‫ َح َّدثَنَا د َُاود‬،‫اَّلل ْب ُن َم ْسلَ َم َة ْب ِن قَ ْعنَ ٍب‬ ِ َّ ‫ول‬ ُ ‫ قَا َل قَا َل َر ُس‬،َ‫ َس ِعي ٍد َم ْو َ​َل عَا ِم ِر ْب ِن ُك َر ْي ٍز َع ْن َأ ِ​ِب ه َُر ْي َرة‬،‫َأ ِ​ِب‬ ‫اَّلل صىل‬ ‫هللا عليه وسمل‏‏" َال َ​َت َ​َاسدُ وا َو َال تَنَا َجشُ وا َو َال ت َ َباغَضُ وا َو َال تَدَ ابَ ُروا َو َال ي َ ِب ْع‬ ِ َّ ‫ب َ ْعضُ ُ ُْك عَ َىل ب َ ْيع ِ ب َ ْع ٍض َو ُكونُوا ِع َبا َد‬ ‫ الْ ُم ْس ِ ُمل َأخُو الْ ُم ْس ِ ِمل َال ي َ ْظ ِل ُم ُه‬.‫اَّلل اخ َْواًنً ‏‏‬ ِ ‫ َوي ُِش ُْي ا َ​َل َصدْ ِر ِه ث َ َال َث َم َّر ٍات‏"‏‬.‫ التَّ ْق َوى هَا ُهنَا‏‏"‏‏‬.‫َو َال َ َْي ُذ ُ ُ​ُل َو َال َ َْي ِق ُر ُه‏‏‬ ِ ُّ ُ ‫الّش َأ ْن َ َْي ِق َر َأخَا ُه الْ ُم ْس ِ َمل‬ ‫ُك الْ ُم ْس ِ ِمل عَ َىل الْ ُم ْس ِ ِمل َح َرا ٌم‬ ِ َّ ‫ِ َِب ْس ِب ا ْم ِرئٍ ِم َن‬ ‫‏‬.‫َد ُم ُه َو َم ُ ُاُل َو ِع ْرضُ ُه‏‏"‏‬

‫‏‬.‫ُح ِدثْ ُت َع ْن َأ ِ​ِب َصا ِل ٍح ‏‬ Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever relieves a Muslim of a burden from the burdens of the world, Allah will relieve him of a burden from the burdens

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger

on the Day of Judgement. And whoever

‫(ﷺ)‏‬as saying: Don't nurse grudge and

helps ease a difficulty in the world, Allah

don't bid him out for raising the price

will grant him ease from a difficulty in

and don't nurse aversion or enmity and

the world and in the Hereafter. And

don't enter into a transaction when the

whoever covers (the faults of ) a Muslim,

others have entered into that transaction

Allah will cover (his faults) for him in the

and be as fellow-brothers and servants

world and the Hereafter. And Allah is

of Allah. A Muslim is the brother of a

engaged in helping the worshipper as

Muslim. He neither oppresses him nor

long as the worshipper is engaged in

humiliates him nor looks down upon

helping his brother."( Jami` at-Tirmidhi

him. The piety is here, (and while saying

1930)

so) he pointed towards his chest thrice.

It is a serious evil for a Muslim that he

There are two sides to this coin. One

should look down upon his brother Mus-

is to help people in difficulty; but on

(Continued on page 17)

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(Continued from page 16)

effects without realizing or recogniz-

lim. All things of a Muslim are inviolable

ing the context.

for his brother in faith: his blood, his

Many times, you see people who are

wealth and his honour. (Sahih Muslim

involved in substance abuse and

2564a)

crime, but it's not because they are neces-

In this world sadly,

there are many people who fall and

sarily bad people, but

Perhaps one of it's a consequence of

struggle, or who are

the reasons op- the wrongs that were

injured, in ways that

pression will

we cannot see. Per-

done to them or the

be darkness for deprivation they faced

as children. You see the oppressor on the day of haps they have expeople who behave a judgment could be because it perienced oppression,

injustice,

or often makes life dark and

horrible acts of vio- hopeless for victims in this lence and war, that world”

certain way which you don't like or look down upon,

perhaps

even

rightly so, but they're

have left them trau-

like that because of

matized.

what they have been

They are facing the

through.

effects of being deprived, of being hurt, of being discriminated against.

Sometimes, the effects of war, injus-

but we often don't see that - we only

tice, discrimination, and other types

see the effects. Most often, too many

(Continued on page 18)

times, society judges based on the 17

(Continued from page 17)

ingly, and His judgment will be the

of oppression are not limited to the

most just and the most fair. So, leave

people who were directly impacted,

the judgment to Allah.

but the effects pass on to their children. referred to as

A simple genu-

intergenerational trau-

ine greeting, a

ma.

kind comment,

Perhaps one of the reasons

oppression

will be darkness for the oppressor on the

day

of

judgment

sometimes it's listening to their story of pain and suffering would do - I call it the charity of our ears.

Each person could be carrying the burden

or effects of something that we do not know or that we cannot

see,

perhaps

therefore we are encouraged to bring joy

to others

could be because it often makes life dark

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah

and hopeless for vic-

be pleased with him)

tims in this world

that a man came to the Prophet (blessings and

As human beings, we

peace of Allah be upon

tend to judge and make assumptions

him) and said: O Messenger of Allah,

based on what is apparent to us, so

which of the people is dearest to Allah?

be empathetic. It is Allah SWT who

And which deeds are dearest to Allah?

has the complete view and absolutely

The Messenger of Allah (blessings and

complete knowledge of everything

(Continued on page 19)

and everyone. He will judge accord18

(Continued from page 18)

peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The

Subhan Allah!

dearest of people to Allah, may He be exalted, is the one who does most benefit

Sometimes, it's a smile that brings joy

to people, and the dearest of deeds to Al-

to a person who is down. A simple

lah, may He be exalted, is joy that you

genuine greeting, a kind comment,

bring to a Muslim, or relieving him of

sometimes it's listening to their story

ُ

َ ‫َت‬

َ

distress or sorrow ,‫ك ِش ُف ع ْن ُه ك ْ َب ًره‬or paying

of pain and suffering would do - I call it the charity of our ears. It might not

off debt for him, or dispelling his hunger.

solve their problem or difficulty, but

And to walk with a brother to meet his

even having someone who will listen

needs is dearer to me than observing

can help a person through their pain

i‘tikaaf in this mosque – meaning the mosque

of

Madinah

–

for

and struggle.

a

month.”( Narrated by at-Tabaraani

Yesterday on the radio I heard an in-

(12/453); classed as saheeh by al-

digenous

Albaani in Saheeh at-Targheeb (955). )

grandmother

describing

how happy she felt when white people and others showed up to show

It's one thing to remove distress, pay

solidarity with them) ...

off debt, dispel hunger -- all things that you would need to be aware of.

‫َّس ُه فَ َال ت َ ُغ ُّم ُه َوا ْن ل َ ْم ت َ ْمدَ ْح ُه فَ َال ت َُذ َّم ُه‬ ُّ ُ ‫ا ْن ل َ ْم ت َ ْن َف ْع ُه فَ َال ت‬ ُّ ُ َ ‫َُض ُه َوا ْن ل َ ْم ت‬ ِ ِ ِ

But even bringing joy to another unconditionally, without them being vis-

Abu al-Layth al-Samarqandi reported:

ibly in need, is from the dearest of

Yahya ibn Mu’adh, RH, said, “If you (Continued on page 20)

deeds to Allah 19

or pale designs (The Prophet ‫(ﷺ) ‏‬saw

(Continued from page 19)

cannot benefit, then do not harm. If you

these designs) and said, "O Um Khalid!

cannot bring joy, then do not bring dis-

This is Sanah." (Sanah in an Ethiopian

tress. If you cannot praise, then do not

word meaning beautiful). (Sahih al-

blame.” [Tanbih al-Ghafilin, 1/165].

Bukhari 5823)

This small gift and gesture by our

Amah bint Khalid RA was born during

Prophet (SAW) made Amah bint

the first emigration to Abyssinia. She re-

Kahlid happy, it made a lifelong

ported: The Prophet ‫(ﷺ) ‏‬was given

memory for her, so much so that she

some clothes including a black Khamisa.

narrated this hadith as an older wom-

The Prophet ‫(ﷺ)‏‬said, "To whom shall

an. The truth of the matter is that we all have the opportunity everyday to

we give this to wear?" The people kept

either bring joy to others or bring

silent whereupon the Prophet ‫(ﷺ)‏‬said,

pain to others, it is our choice which

"Fetch Um Khalid for me." I (Um Kha-

we choose. One will help build our

lid) was brought carried (as I was small

life and hereafter with joy and the

girl at that time). The Prophet ‫(ﷺ)‏‬

other will not.

Simple caring gestures, kind words, a

took the Khamisa in his hands and

ْ َ ‫َ ْب‬ ‫َخ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِق‬ made me wear it and said, " ‫أ ِل ي وأ ِ ي‬May

listening ear is what you need, not

you live so long that your dress will wear

often as they are completely free.

some complicated devices. Use them

out and you will mend it many times."

On the Khamisa there were some green

(Continued on page 21)

20

-

(Continued from page 20)

Snippets: - Let us not judge, leave the judging

Let us not judge, leave the judging to

Allah SWT

to Allah SWT - Be kind and compassionate, try to remove hardship, relieve burden in whichever way possible

Be kind and com-

passionate, try to re-

move hardship, relieve

- Even if no hardship is apparent, try to bring joy to others

burden in whichever way

- If we can't help, then at the very

possible

least do not harm, distress, or blame May Allah SWT make us those who bring joy to others, who's presence relieves sorrow and distress of other,

Even if no hardship is apparent, try to

bring joy to others

may Allah remove our sorrows and worries, and those of all our brothers

and sisters in faith and humanity.

Ameen Ya Rabb ul Aalameen

If we can't help,

then at the very least

do not harm, distress, or blame

21

Photo by Damian Siodlak on Unsplash

22

By: Shaista & Beenish Khurshid, Calgary, Alberta & San Francisco, California

ou may have heard of Istikhara - a famous du’a/prayer people make before making a big decision such as getting mar-

ried. There are many myths around Istikhara - some believe you will see an answer in a dream by seeing a specific colour. Others believe once you make istikhara, your decision is sure to be perfect.

The truth about this du’a is actually much more simple. Du’a istkhara is a prayer of humility and trust in the Ultimate Wisdom (God). Du’a Istikhara can (Continued on page 24)

23

then distance it from me, and distance

(Continued from page 23)

me from it, and ordain for me what is

be translated as follows:

good wherever it may be and help me to

O Allah, I seek the counsel of Your

be content with it.

Knowledge, and I seek the help of Your

The du’a begins by submitting to

Omnipotence, and I beseech You for

God, and recognizing God’s Might

Your Magnificent Grace.

and Knowledge. It is only in the sec-

Surely, you are Capable, and I am not.

ond half of the du’a where we make

You know and I know not, and You are the Knower of the un-

seen.

our ask.

And consult them in the affair. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah.”

O Allah, if You know that this matter

“Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) said: The

[then mention the thing to be decided] is

Prophet (SAW) used to teach us to

good for me in my religion and in my life

seek Allah’s Counsel in all matters as

and for my welfare in the life to come, -

he used to teach us a Surah from the

[or say: in this life and the afterlife]

Qur’an. He would say: When anyone

- then ordain it for me and make it easy

of you has an important matter to de-

for me, then bless me in it.

cide, let him pray two Rak’ahs other than the obligatory prayer, and then

And if You know that this matter is bad

say: <Du’a Istkhara>. Whoever seeks

for me in my religion and in my life and

the counsel of the Creator will not re-

for my welfare in the life to come, - [or

(Continued on page 25)

say: in this life and the afterlife] 24

Allah SWT’s counsel.

(Continued from page 24)

gret it, and whoever seeks the advice of the believers will feel confident

The Hadith also highlights this verse

about his decisions, for Allah has said

in the Qur’an:

in the Qur’an: “And consult them in

“And consult them in the affair. Then

the affair. Then when you have taken

when you have taken a decision, put

a decision, put your trust in Al-

your trust in Allah.” (Qur’an 3:159)

lah.” (Qur’an 3:159)” (Al-Bukhari

Allah SWT asks us to:

7:162)

1. Consult the believers in our

In Rasulullah’s advice is the best ad-

affairs

vice. When you have an important

2. Make a decision

matter to decide:

3. Then put your trust in Allah

1. Pray two rak’ah other than the ob-

SWT

ligatory prayer

This highlights the importance of

2. Recite istikhara

drawing from the experience,

The promise: whoever seeks the

knowledge, and intuition of those

counsel of the Creator will not regret

around us that we trust as a source of

it.

Hikmah. While it can be comforting

What stands out so significantly

to isolate ourselves in stressful times,

about both the du’a and this hadith is

the right thing to do is reach out.

it’s emphasis on the reliance on God.

Here is the du’a in Arabic:

The du’a is one of reliance on Allah SWT, and the promise of Rasullulah

(Continued on page 26)

is that we will not regret relying on 25

versation is the magic potion which

(Continued from page 25)

َّ َ ْ ُ َ َْ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ِ ،‫ َوأ ْستق ِد ُرك ِبقد َرِتك‬،‫الل ُه َّم ِإ ّ ين أ ْست ِخ ر ُيك ِب ِعل َمك‬ ْ َ ْ َ َ َُ َ ،‫َوأ ْسألك ِم ْن فض ِلك ال َع ِظ ِيم‬ ُ‫ َو َأ ْن َت َع ََّّلم‬،‫ َو َ​َل َأ ْع َل ُم‬،‫ َو َت ْع َل ُم‬،‫َفإ َّن َك َت ْقد ُر َو َ​َل َأ ْقد ُر‬ ِ ِ ِ ُ ‫ْال ُغ‬ ،‫وب‬ ‫ي‬ ِ

starts from our heart. Our heart should feel his power, His grace, His omnipotence. We should truly believe that He is our Lord, the most High, He can do anything. And we

are asking/begging for his counsel,

َ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ َّ َ ُ َ ْ َ َ ْ ُ ْ َّ ُ َّ ّ ْ ٌ ّ ‫ين‬ ‫ خ ري ِ يل ِ يف ِد ِ ي‬-‫اللهم ِإن كنت تعلم أن هذا اْلمر‬ َ ‫ َعاجله‬-‫َو َم َعاش َو َعاق َبة َأ ْمري‬ -‫آج ِل ِه‬ ‫و‬ ِ ِ​ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ‫ِ ي‬ ْ َ َّ ُ ُ ْ ِ َ َ ُ ْ ُ ْ َ ،‫يه‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ك‬ ِ ِ ‫فاقدره ِ يل ويِّسه ِ يل ثم ب ِار ِ ي‬

his perspective, his consultation, from the knowledgeable, the Great.

So take this as an opportunity to defer judgement, let go of any strongly held notions or feelings, and

recognize that there may be more to this decision than you can know.”

When uttering the dua, we humble ourselves, we understand and believe

َ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ َّ َ ُ َ ْ َ َ ْ ُ ْ َ َ ‫ش ل ّف د ّين َو َم‬ ٌّ ‫اش‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ِ ي‬ ‫و ِإن كنت تعلم أن هذا اْلمر ِ ي ِ ي ِ ِ ي‬ َ َ َ َ َ َ ْ -‫آج ِل ِه‬ ِ ‫اج ِل ِه و‬ ِ ‫ ع‬-‫وع ِاقب ِة أم ِري‬ ُ َ ْ ُ ْ ُ ْ َ ْ ْ َ ِّ َ ُ ْ ْ َ ‫اْصف ِ ّ ين عنه َواقد ْر ِ ي َل الخ رْ َي َح ْيث‬ ِ ‫اْصفه ع ين و‬ ِ ‫ف‬ َ ُ َ َ ‫كان ث َّم أ ْر ِض ِ ّ ين ِب ِه‬

that He is the knower of Ghaib (the unseen). It helps us to understand our inability, fallibility, and weaknesses. It also helps us to understand the greatness of whom we are asking. It helps us

This du’a is not a magic potion. Re-

realize that we can rely on Him without

citing it will not magically improve

a doubt.

your life. Instead, this du’a is a con-

(Continued on page 27)

versation with Allah SWT. This con26

dom, the decision will start becoming

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clear, if Allah wills.

We ask humbly about the matter we are at a crossroads with, understand-

There are those who have had a bad

ing that God knows our welfare more

experience after reciting du’a Istikha-

than us. We finish the dua by saying

ra. What is important to remember

that whatever is best for me, make

here is the wisdom in the du’a itself,

that happen, and help me be content

which is that God ultimately knows

with it. We are giving our rope to Al-

what is good for us and what is bad

lah and He will help us to solve the

for us. Sometimes, we must go

conundrum.

through a trial to find a better outcome in the end, and Allah knows

Putting your trust in Allah SWT also

best.

means acknowledging that you may not have all the answers. So take this

“Fighting has been enjoined upon

as an opportunity to defer judgement,

you while it is hateful to you. But per-

let go of any strongly held notions or

haps you hate a thing and it is good

feelings, and recognize that there

for you; and perhaps you love a thing

may be more to this decision than

and it is bad for you. And Allah

you can know.

Knows, while you know not.” (2:216)

Once you have asked for God’s ultiDespite the ups and downs of life, we

mate guidance, rest in Allah's guid-

must keep our trust in Him, for surely,

ance. And when you feel comfortable with God’s power and ultimate wis-

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(Continued from page 27)

to Him is our final return.

In Summary: 1. When you are at a crossroads make Istikahra.

2. Humble yourself and understand that you need his help and guidance 3.You really feel that he has knowledge and power and you're powerless and unknowledgeable.

3. When you finish, do Istikahra let yourself a little loose and let go of your previous notion.

4. Seek help from those who are knowledgeable, and those who also trust in

Allah SWT 5. Make a decision 6. Put your trust in Allah SWT

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Photo By Todd Trapani on Unsplash 29

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