Episode 2: Faith wears out

 

(For anyone interested, I found a transcript of this episode here.)

Abdullah ibn Amr RA reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Faith wears out in your hearts the way that your garments would wear out, so ask Allah to renew faith.”
(Mustadrak al-Haakim).

Here, the Shaykh distinguishes between someone who takes care of his garment (keeps it clean, washes it etc.) and someone who outrightly does not (has stains on it, rips it etc.) This hadith refers to the latter group whose garment, even with proper care, fades  and becomes old owing to usage. The Prophet (PBUH) indicates that similarly, it’s natural for faith to wear out as well.

Many of us can perhaps think of a time in our lives when, compared to the present, owing to whatever and however many reasons, our faith was stronger, the submission of our limbs to that conviction more absolute, and we were able to do many more good amaal (deeds) than we can do today. And somehow those things have slipped from us now, leaving us wondering how and why.

The advice given by Prophet SAW on the best way to renew our faith is to ask Allah. It should be a frequent dua included in our daily supplications, because faith is our greatest asset and blessing.

A short and simple frequent dua for this purpose that a companion of the Prophet (PBUH), Abdullah ibn Masu’d RA used to make:

Allaahumma zidnaa imaana, wa-yaqeena, wa-fiqha.
“O Allah revive us in our faith, in our conviction, and our understanding.”

Another powerful dua to include after every prayer is that of Mu’adh RA:

Allaahumma a’inni ‘ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ‘ibaaditik.
“O Allah, help me to remember You, give thanks to You and worship You in the best way.”

And Subhan’Allah, when I heard the shaykh mention this dua, I marveled at how Allah works in such mysterious ways. Just two days ago I read this article about the significance of the above mentioned dua. I Remember learning the dua as a child and reciting it after every prayer, but knowing the story behind it now puts the whole thing in such a beautiful perspective.

What I was reminded of by listening to this talk particularly: a simple notion that many of us already know: that faith is not static. It doesn’t stay in one place all the time. So, in order to maintain its vitality, we need to be dynamic. Stagnation in striving to increase it, failing to pray for it’s renewal, and laziness in simply asking Allah to preserve and strengthen it, wears it out.

So, just two episodes in:

• learnt two new duas in Arabic
• And identified a whole dimension of supplications I need to start focusing on.