In Adversities? Seek Help in Solat.

It is said that in Koofah there was a porter who was well known for his honesty. People trusted him with their valuables and money, which he carried from one place to another. Once he was on his usual trip when a person met him on the way and asked him about his destination. When the porter gave him the required information, he said, “I am also bound for the same destination. If I could walk, I would have accompanied you on foot. Will you kindly give me a lift on your mule for one gold coin?” The porter agreed and allowed him to share the mule with him.

They came to a crossing on the way. The person said, “Now, which road will you take?” “The main road, of course,” replied the porter. The person said, “No, brother. We should go by the other road which is a shortcut and there is plenty of grass enroute to feed the animal.” The porter said, “I have never been on this path.” The person remarked, “But I have travelled by this route quite often.” The porter believed him and put the animal on that path.

After some distance, the path ended in a terrifying forest where a large number of dead bodies were lying about it. All of a sudden, the person jumped down from the mule and took out his knife with the intention of killing the porter. “Hold your hand,” cried the porter, “Take the animal and its load, but do not kill me.” The person refused to listen to his request and swore that he would first kill the porter and then take possession of the animal and the goods.

Seeing that his appeal fell on deaf ears and that his cruel heart would not melt, the porter said to him, “All right if you must kill me, then permit me to say only 2 rakaat solat.” The person agreed and remarked, “You can please yourself. All the dead you see over here made the same request, but their solat was of no avail to them.” The porter started the solat, but could not recollect any surah to connect with surah al-Fatihah, in spite of his best efforts. Meanwhile, the person grew impatient and pressed him hard to hurry with the solat.

All of the sudden, the following ayat came to his mind: 

The porter was reciting this ayat and tears came up in his eyes, when a horseman suddenly appeared on the scene. He was wearing a shining helmet and held a spear in his hand. He pierced the body of the pitiless rogue with his spear and killed him then and there. A flame of fire rose from the spot where the dead body fell.

The porter fell down in sajadah and thanked Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala. After finishing his solat, he ran towards the horseman and requested him to disclose his identity. He replied, “I am a slave to this ayat, “أَمَّن يُجِيبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ :You are now safe and can go wherever you like.” Saying this, the horseman rode away and disappeared. Indeed, solat is a great asset. Besides pleasing Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala, it often saves us from the calamities of this life and provides us with peace of mind. Ibn Seeren writes: “If I be allowed to choose between Jannah and solat of 2 rakaat, I would prefer solat. The reason is quite clear: Jannah is for my own pleasure, while solat is for the pleasure of my dear Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala.”

Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wassalam has said, “Enviable is the lot of that Muslim who is with least burden, whose main fortune is solat, who remains content with humble provisions throughout his life, who worships his Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala in a dutiful manner, who lives unknown and who dies an early death, leaving very little legacy and very few to mourn him.”

It is said in a Hadith that when somebody is faced with a need, whether relating to this life or the Akhirah or whether it concerns Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala or a human being, he should perform a perfect wudhu’, offer solat of 2 rakaat, glorify Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala, then ask blessing for Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wassalam, and then make du’a as follows:-

 “La ilaha illallahul Halimul karim, Subhanallahi Rabbil Arshil Azim, Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alamin, Asaluka Mujibaati Rahmatika Wa Azaa’ima maghfiratika Wal Ghanimata Min Kulli Birrin, Was salamata Min Kulli Ithmin, La Tada’ Li Zanmban Illa Ghafartahu, Wa la Hamman Illa Farrajtahu, Wa la hajatan hiya Laka Ridhan Illa Qadhaitaha, Ya Arhamar Rahimeen.”

Meaning: There there no god but Allah the Clement and Wise. There is no god but Allah the High and Mighty. Glory be to Allah, Lord of the Tremendous Throne. All praise is to Allah, Lord of the worlds. I ask you (O Allah) everything that leads to your mercy, and your tremendous forgiveness, enrichment in all good, and freedom from all sin. Do not leave a sin of mine (O Allah), except that you forgive it, nor any concern except that you create for it an opening, nor any need in which there is your good pleasure except that you fulfill it, O Most Merciful!

(Related by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah. The Hadith has some weakness, but it is slight: such Hadiths are acted upon for virtuous deeds (fada’il al-a`mal) by general agreement of the scholars. Furthermore, it has been practiced over the years from the time of the Sahabah (Radiallahu Anhum) until now.)

REFERENCES

1. Salaah Helps in Adversities. Fadaa’il of Salah, Fadaa’il Amaal, 3rd Edition, Shaykh al-Hadeeth Mawlaana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawee, Kutub Khana Faizi, Lahore, Pakistan.
2. Simple Guide on Islamic Exorcism.http://islamicexorcism.wordpress.com/2011/11/12/salaatul-hajaat-a-powerful-prayer-for-every-need/. Accessed on 13th Sept 2013.