How To Get Closer To Allah

Allah s.w.t. is closer to you than your jugular vein. In a beautiful Instagram post, the Mufti of Singapore, SS Dr Nazirudin Nasir, said, “Our relationship with God does not end nor will it weaken simply because we cannot go to the mosque. Everywhere you stand on His earth, you are His servant and slave. He watches over your heart. So continue to do good.”

 

 

 

 

 

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As I left office today, I was greeted by this view. I had much to think about, however exhausted I may be. . Because the decision to close mosques and suspend prayers is neither easy nor something we had hoped to do. But it is necessary. . We love our mosques because there we find peace and tranquility. We feel God's presence and mercy. . But our Merciful God also asks that we care for others, be responsible and protect lives. God wants us to be trusted with these very difficult duties, arguably more challenging than spending a few minutes in prayer. That is why when we do so, we inch closer to Him. . So let us not lose sight of the forest for the trees. Our relationship with God does not end nor will it weaken simply because we cannot go to the mosque. Everywhere you stand on His earth, you are His servant and slave. He watches over your heart. So continue to do good. Perform prayers, supplicate to Him, help others, recite the Quran, spend time with your family, and purify your heart with good thoughts. . Play your part in protecting society and we shall be strong together as one. May Allah help us overcome this challenge and allow us to return to our mosques in a safe and responsible way. . As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining (Did you spot it?) . With much love, Nazirudin

A post shared by Nazirudin Nasir (@nazirudinmnasir) on Mar 12, 2020 at 7:00am PDT

Here are 8 ways to get closer to Allah while we are at home. 

1) Zikir 

Allah s.w.t mentions in the Quran:

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ 

Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest

(Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:28)

Zikir is doing remembrance of Allah s.w.t and in some forms, expressing the natural state of the heart through recitations and supplications. 

Start small and try the simple Zikir of SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah) and Allahu Akbar (Allah is Great) in every action. This Zikir is also known as the ‘everlasting good deeds’.

In a hadith, the Prophet s.a.w. mentioned: 

“The uttering of "Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah) and Allahu Akbar (Allah is Great)' is dearer to me than anything over which the sun rises.” 
(Narrated by Imam Muslim)

You may choose a specific favourite Zikir of yours to recite while doing your chores or you can use various Zikir, found in the Quran and Hadith of the Prophet s.a.w. at different times of the day. 

 

2) Pray 

The success that we seek calls us five times a day. The Prophet s.a.w. said:

“The first thing which will be judged among a man’s deeds on the Day of Resurrection is the Prayer. If this is in good order then he will succeed and prosper but if it is defective then he will fail and will be a loser.”

(Narrated by Imam Tirmizi)

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. used to pray so much at night that his feet became swollen. 

It was said to him, ”Why do you regulate yourself with this when Allah has forgiven your past and future sins?" To that, he s.a.w. replied, "Shall I not be a grateful servant of Allah?" (Narrated by Imam Al-Bukhari)

 

3) Istighfar 

It was narrated from Anas that Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said:

“Every son of Adam commits sin, and the best of those who commit sin are those who repent.”

(Narrated by Imam Tirmizi)

Istighfar is the Arabic word for seeking forgiveness from Allah s.w.t. Repentance is a virtue that is beloved to Allah s.w.t. It is to return to Allah in a beautiful and humble manner. Allah s.w.t says in the Quran:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوّابينَ

Surely Allah loves those who always turn to Him in repentance.

(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:222)

As we strive daily to be better servants of Allah, we may not realise the sins that we have committed. However, time and time again, Allah grants us His forgiveness for He is The Most Forgiving (Al-Ghafur), The Pardoner (Al-‘Afuw) and The Acceptor of Repentance (Al-Tawwab). 

Regardless of how much we have sinned, we should not lose hope in Allah’s mercy. As we are now in the month of Rajab, let us seek as much forgiveness as we can from Allah s.w.t.

Here is one of the many duas we can practise daily:

“Astaghfirullah-al’azim alladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Haiyul-Qayyum, wa atubu ilaih” 

I seek the forgiveness of Allah, there is no true god except Allah, the Ever-Living, the Self- Subsisting, and I turn to Him in repentance

(Narrated by Imam Abu Dawud)

 

4) Selawat 

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said:

"Whoever sends salah (prayer and blessing) upon me once, Allah s.w.t will send blessings upon him tenfold."

(Narrated by Imam Muslim)

There are so many benefits for sending prayers upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. It is also one of the most encouraged ways for us to express our love towards him. Let us encourage one another to show our love to the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and recite as many prayers upon him.

One of the ways to send prayers to the Prophet s.a.w. is to recite:

 'Alahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aali Muhammad, kama sollaita 'ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aai ibrahim, wa barik 'ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama barakta 'ala aali Ibrahim wa ‘ala aali Ibrahim, fil-'alamin, innaka hamidun majid 

O Allah! Send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon Abraham and upon the family of Abraham; indeed, You are praiseworthy and glorious. O Allah! Bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Abraham and the family of Abraham; indeed, You are praiseworthy and glorious.

(Narrated by Imam Al-Bukhari)

 

5) Spend quality time with your family 

It's always nice to have more time with our family. We can prepare meals for our parents and massage their tired feet. We can read books and play with our children. We can have meaningful conversations with our siblings. 

Wouldn’t it also be nice to do our prayers together?

Uthman ibn Affan r.a reported that the Prophet s.a.w. said,

“Whoever prays the evening prayer in congregation is as if he has stood for prayer half of the night. Whoever prays the dawn prayer in congregation is as if he has stood for prayer the entire night.”

(Narrated by Imam Muslim)

 

6) Recite lots of duas  

Making dua is such a powerful way to be nearer to Allah s.w.t.

The beautiful thing about Dua for others is that benefit us too. Abu Darda' r.a reported: Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said,

"The supplication of a Muslim for his (Muslim) brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Every time he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this particular task says: 'Ameen! May it be for you too'."

(Narrated by Imam Muslim)

There are many powerful duas for protection from harm that we can read.

One such dua that is recommended by the Office of The Mufti is Qunut Nazilah, a supplication for Allah’s protection from harm that is offered in prayers at times of calamity. Qunut Nazilah can be recited both individually and in a congregation. It can also be recited in obligatory prayers. 

Recite the supplication of Qunut Nazilah: 

Allahumma’ahdina fiiman hadait, Wa ‘afina fiiman ‘aaffait, Watawallana fiiman tawallait,

Wabaarik lana fiima a’tait, Waqina syarra ma qadhait, Fa’innaka taqdhi wala yuqdhaa ‘alaik,

Wa innahu la yadzillu man waalait, Wala ya’izzu man ‘aadait, Tabaarakta rabbana wata’alait, 

Falakalhamdu ‘ala ma qadhait, Wa nastaghfiruka wanatuubu ilaik. 

Allahumma inna na’udhubika min jahdil balaa’, wadaraki-syaqaa’, wasuu’il qadha’, wasyamaatatil’ a’daa’. 

Allahumma inna na’udzubika min zawali ni’matik, watahawwuli ‘aafiyatik, wafuja’ati niqmatik, wajami’i sakhatik. 

Allahuma idfa’ ‘annalbalaa’, wal waba’, wazzalazila, walmihani, maa zhahara minha wama batan, ‘an baladina khaassah, wa saa’iril buldan ‘aammah.

Allahummansur al-mustadh’afiina fi kulli makaan, ya Arhamar Raahmin. 

Rabbana atina Fiddunya Hasanah, Wa fil-akhirati hasnah, Waqinaa ‘adzabannaar. 

Wasallahu ‘ala sayyidina Muhamammaddin wa’ala ‘aalihi wasahbihi wasallam.

Translation: 

O Allah! Guide us along with those who have received your guidance, protect us along with those who received your protection, and patronise me along with those who have been patronised, and add blessings to what You have given me, save me from the evil of what is created. You alone dispose and no other can dispose against you. Those under Your Protection cannot be lowered and those who are against You are not honoured.  You are full of blessing and Most High.

Oh Allah, I seek refuge in You from the distress of trial, from the lowest level of misery, from the perversity of fate, and from the malicious rejoicing of enemies.

O Allah! I seek refuge in You against the declining of Your Favours, passing of safety, the suddenness of Your punishment and all that which displeases You.

O Allah, we seek refuge in You from afflictions, diseases, earthquakes, tribulations, both outwardly and inwardly, specifically for our country and others in general.

O Allah, grant victory for those who are in their weak state wherever they are, O The Most Merciful

Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Hellfire. May Allah send His peace and blessings upon (Prophet) Muhammad, his family members and his companions

You may also check out our Dua series. 

7) Read the Quran 

There are so many benefits of reading the Quran as described in our past article.

The Prophet s.a.w. said,

“Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will receive one good deed as ten good deeds like it. I do not say that ‘Alif Lam Mim’ is one letter, but rather Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter.”

(Narrated by Imam Tirmizi)

This is the time to take the best opportunity to fill in as much time with the Quran. A great way to keep yourself alert and active simply by reciting one page after every prayer, or listening to the beautiful recitations while doing your work! 

 

8) Think good thoughts about Allah

Finally, it is apt that we constantly remind ourselves to always have Husnudzon (good perception) and think positively.

More importantly, we should think good about Allah s.w.t, our sole-Creator and The Most Forgiving. 

Remind yourself of this Hadith Qudsi:

“I am to my servant as he expects of Me. I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in his heart, I remember him to Myself, and if he remembers Me in an assembly, I mention him in an assembly better than his, and if he draws nearer to Me a hand’s span, I draw nearer to him an arm’s length, and if he draws nearer to Me an arm’s length, I draw nearer to him a fathom’s length, and if he comes to me walking, I rush to him at (great) speed.” 

(Narrated by Imam Al-Bukhari)

Having husnudzon towards Allah s.w.t is a matter of the heart. Imagine if we spend our time at home doing chores, eating, laughing with our family members while our hearts are constantly in remembrance and connected to Allah s.w.t. Every point of our life would be in submission to The Almighty.

May Allah s.w.t accept our deeds and grant us assistance in our acts of worship. May Allah s.w.t. grant us a blissful life filled with contentment and ease.

And Allah knows best.

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