This story about “Istighfar” is from the life of Imam Ahmed Bin Hanbal, who is considered a renowned scholar of Islam. Imam Ahmed is also considered to be the founder of the Hanbali school of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) often referred to as the “Sheikh ul-Islam” or the “Imam of Ahl al-Sunnah.”
During his old age, while Imam Ahmed was travelling he stopped by a town. After the prayers, he wanted to stay for the night in the masjid yard because he didn’t know anyone in the town. Owing to his humility, he hadn’t introduced himself to anyone thinking that if he did, he would be welcomed by many people.
Failing to recognize Ahmed bin Hanbal, the caretaker of the mosque refused to let him stay in the mosque.
As Imam Ahmed was quite old, the caretaker had to drag him out of the mosque. On seeing this, a baker from a nearby place felt pity for this man (Imam Ahmed) and offered to be the host to him for the night. During his stay with the baker, Imam Ahmed observed that the baker would constantly recite Istighfar (seek forgiveness from Allah). Imam Ahmed asked the baker if the constant practice of saying Istighfar had any effect on him. The baker responded by telling Imam Ahmed that Allah had accepted all of his duas (supplications), except one. When he asked him what dua was it that hadn’t been accepted, the baker replied that he had been asking Allah to provide him the privilege to meet the famous scholar Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal.
On this, Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal said that Allah had not only listened to his dua but had dragged him onto his (the baker’s) doorsteps.
We are in the need of Allah for the betterment of this world and the next and for this reason we turn to Allah in dua and Allah loves to hear from us to make dua. Allah test us He cause hardship fall upon us so that we turn to Him, so we beg Him and ask Him.
Dua is a ibadah, it is a conversation with Allah, our Creator, our Lord and Master, the All Knowing, the All Powerful. Allah says in the hadith qudsi ‘O Mankind all of you are misguided except those who I guided, so seek my guidance, ask my guidance. I will guide you. All of you are hungry except those I provide provision, so ask Me for provision I will provide for You.
Every dua is accepted by Allah. The only difference is the way Allah answers it. How it is accepted. Either He will give you what you want or He will give you substitute and give you something else.
Prophet saw told us the best worship is dua. The Du’a is the gem of worship. Dua is done by the tongue, by the limb and by the heart. In order to engage our hearts we must understand what we are saying, reflect upon it and after doing so we insha Allah reach the higher level of worship. We must realise that we will get our wishes duas only when Allah gives it to us and we cannot get it from anyone else.
Dua is not a name applied to the beseeching words uttered by the tongue, but it is the urge and the yearning of our hearts. When we confess of our absolute helplessness and incompetence, which is the essence of servitude, then the doors of Allah’s mercy do open for us. Try to memorize more dua, more adhkar and more importantly try to understand what you are saying.
It is related from Abu Huraira radiallahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu alaihe wasallam said, “If anyone likes that Allah should grant him his supplication in times of difficulty and anxiety then he must make many supplications when times are easy.” (Tirmidhi)
It is confirmed through experience that those people have a very weak link with Allah who turn to Him only in times of difficulty and anxiety and raise their hands in supplication only in such a situation. Such people lack that confidence in the mercy of Allah, which produces soul, and life in their supplication. In contrast those slaves of Allah who are accustomed to request Him for their needs at all times have a strong link with Him and they have much confidence in the mercy of Allah on which they continue to rely. Thus their supplication is very strong.
The Messenger of Allah Sallallahu alaihe wasallam has given us the advice in this hadith that we must make plenty of supplications to Allah in days of happiness and prosperity. The result will be that we will establish connection whereby our supplications in days of difficulty will be granted to us. May Allah grant us this condition and status.
sumber dari: believerspath.com
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