one realisation I recently had, obvious, but it took me a while!
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peace All,
When I used to make dua/prayer/petition, I used to ask for general blessings (e.g. increase in knowledge) and specific blessings (e.g. pertaining to a problem I had/have at the time to be resolved).
After discussion with someone recently, I realised I had been making a possible mistake in my dua, albeit a natural one I feel. Its perhaps more of a un-forethoughtful approach rather than a mistake, but I realised that if my specific dua to resolve my specific problems were answered, that may not be the best thing for me. For example, those hardships may be there for a reason, a reason that I cant appreciate at the time. I realised the obvious, that God knows whats best for me. I now, dont ask for specifics, just general blessings.
I know of two examples in 'the reading' that dont quite match with the above Zachariah when he asks for good progeny, inheritor (not that specific) and when Moses asks for his brother Aaron to aid him in his mission (more specific). Any others?
Is it possible that in these two cases, what was asked for would have definitely led to a positive outcome, i.e. benefical to the petitioner. Whilst in asking for specific things or resolution of specific hardships may not be benefical for the asker (i.e. the outcome is unknown)?
Just some food for thought.
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Peace Wakas,
I go with this differently! I try to become straight with my wishes! If it is a wish that i sense it as peaceful then i would most certainly talk about it with GOD! HE is the closest FREIND. And if i do not dare to ask HIM, i will try to set it aside as a wish!
peace,
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As salamu alaykum wr wb.
Respectfully.When i finish my prayer, i always make one more prostration and then stay there asking The Almighty Allah The Most Powerful to, for example now, to remove my ban that i got in the States, to forgive me and i thank Him.
May The Almighty Allah Most Merciful, Most Powerful help Lebanese.
As salamu alaykum. -
peace All,
When I used to make dua/prayer/petition, I used to ask for general blessings (e.g. increase in knowledge) and specific blessings (e.g. pertaining to a problem I had/have at the time to be resolved).
After discussion with someone recently, I realised I had been making a possible mistake in my dua, albeit a natural one I feel. Its perhaps more of a un-forethoughtful approach rather than a mistake, but I realised that if my specific dua to resolve my specific problems were answered, that may not be the best thing for me. For example, those hardships may be there for a reason, a reason that I cant appreciate at the time. I realised the obvious, that God knows whats best for me. I now, dont ask for specifics, just general blessings.
I know of two examples in 'the reading' that dont quite match with the above Zachariah when he asks for good progeny, inheritor (not that specific) and when Moses asks for his brother Aaron to aid him in his mission (more specific). Any others?
Is it possible that in these two cases, what was asked for would have definitely led to a positive outcome, i.e. benefical to the petitioner. Whilst in asking for specific things or resolution of specific hardships may not be benefical for the asker (i.e. the outcome is unknown)?
Just some food for thought.
Salam Wakas,
Indeed, we have to be very careful with what we ask and utter in our suplication and to stick to that I use Noah's supplication to avoid any wrong doing while thinking I am doing something good and mainly knowing that God the All-Mighty in fact knows what I really need and want. So I say "ini 2audhou bika an' ass2alouka ma layssa li bihi 3alman" (I see refuge with YOU from asking YOU what I don't have no knowledge of). Peace. Myr.
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Salaam Wakas,
peace All,
When I used to make dua/prayer/petition, I used to ask for general blessings (e.g. increase in knowledge) and specific blessings (e.g. pertaining to a problem I had/have at the time to be resolved).
After discussion with someone recently, I realised I had been making a possible mistake in my dua, albeit a natural one I feel. Its perhaps more of a un-forethoughtful approach rather than a mistake, but I realised that if my specific dua to resolve my specific problems were answered, that may not be the best thing for me. For example, those hardships may be there for a reason, a reason that I cant appreciate at the time. I realised the obvious, that God knows whats best for me. I now, dont ask for specifics, just general blessings.
My favourite dua is this (I recite in arabic since I have memorized the verse but of course it doesn't have to be in arabic)
2286 God does not burden a soul beyond its means. For it is what it earns, and against it is what it earns. "Our Lord, do not mind us if we forget or make mistakes; our Lord, do not place a burden upon us as You have placed upon those before us; our Lord, do not place upon us what we cannot bare; pardon us, and forgive us, and have mercy on us; You are our patron, grant us victory over the disbelieving people."
After I read brother AB's post here http//www.free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=6396.msg99519#msg99519, I add another favourite dua which is
1780 And say, "O my Lord, cause me to enter with a perfect entry, and to come forth with a perfect forthcoming, and give me from thy presence a helping power"
From my understanding, I would say just ask whatever we need or wish to Allah but at the same time be careful not to "transgress the limit". These are the verses which lead me to that understanding
6611 And Allah gives an example for those who have chosen to be graced with belief The wife of Pharaoh when she said, "My Lord! Build for me a mansion in the Paradise, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from the oppressors."
1711 Man asks for what is evil for him as he prays for the good. Man is prone to be hasty in judgment.
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As salamu alaykum wr wb.
Respectfully.Excellent post Myr, i'm gonna do the same, insha'Allah, insha'Allah.
It's true, only The Almighty Allah Most Powerful knows, really knows what's the best for us.May The Almighty Allah Most Powerul, Most Merciful help the Lebanese.
As salamu alaykum wr wb. -
Peace All
I tend to feel also that God is my Closest Friend, closer to me than my vein that sustains life for me. In fact, I usually start off by calling on God with these attributes. Then I pray until the tears overflow. I feel that if I, out of ignorance, prayed for something that is harmful to me, God understands my limited capacity and Forgives with a Compassion nobody else possesses. Of course, I use my judgement. If there is something I know that is ridiculous to pray for, I obviously won't. Although I must confess, when I was really young I used to do it all the time... for example, I would pray I had longer fingernails rotfl
Peace
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I agree with soul2squeeze on this one. God always nows what is best for us. The way I pray is that I ask God to take the things off my shoulder that I dont feel I can carry or live with. But I also ask God to do his will in my life. And if God decides to lift whatever the burdon be I take it as a blessing. But if God decides to leave me with the hardship. I then believe that God has put this on me for a reason and I try to learn from it. But of course all this is with Gods help because without him we are nothing. But most of all I try to keep an open mind tword Gods will for my life.
Sincerly, Larry/Abuja