I am one of those people with a tendency to rationalise everything; to be logical in my approach to life. It needs to make sense for me to ease into it. Which is why I struggle to hear and obey, I am likely to ask but why. I didn’t realize how bad it was until my toddler began to “me yasa (why so)?” everything I told her.
I have done the jihaad of taming this need to ‘make it make sense’ when it comes to my religious obligations but one thing I was not quite successful at was in breaking this habit when I made du’aa.
I used to make du’aa with a lot of.. calculation (for lack of a better word). When I asked Allaah, I did so while subconsciously calculating the ‘possibility’ and the potential asbaab (means) available to me. And if it didn’t seem to add up by my (very weak, limited and flawed) evaluation, one of two things happen:
I make the du’aa just because; lacking passion and conviction or
I replaced the du’aa with a more ‘realistic’ alternative
I shortchanged myself in asking Allaah and I know I am not alone. Which is why I want to introduce you to the best gift I gave myself last Ramadan, join this du’aa challenge.
My goals for last Ramadan were simple. I wanted to make more du’aa and read more Qur’aan; that was how I was seeking to draw closer to Allaah last Ramadan.
And no, not the kind of du’aa that I made in the past; the kind that was bold and daring. The kind that was heartfelt and wholesome.
Like asking Allaah to not only enable me rectify my Salaah - which felt very rushed and lacking in many inner dimensions - but to allow me to loveeee it, to come to it with yearning and allow me to find peace and tranquility in it.
Like asking Allaah for the gift of a $1000. Just because. And the thing that amazes the most, even more than the manifestation of His response to my du’aa is that I asked for it as though I was asking for N10,000.
Now, for some of you, $1000 may actually be like N10,000.. for me, it is not — and so this audacity to ask was what made me realize that something had changed in my relationship with du’aa since that challenge.
Prior to the challenge, I would’ve asked differently because my inner logician would be doing the math.
‘But your brain is always distracted..’
‘But dollar is now …’
‘$1000 is like 1 million naira oo..’
‘all your friends are broke and the rich ones are stingy..’ [no sub intended 😂]
But no,
I crafted my du’aa. I asked Allaah, repeatedly.
I did what I could do and held my breath for His response.
And you know the thing about du’aa, particularly answered du’aa?
It takes your conviction for 10 to infinity.
Seeing the results of theses du’aa, the responses.
It made the statement of Prophet Zakariyyah (alayhis salaam) make sense.
Let’s reference Prophet Zakariyyah’s story a little, alayhis salaam. His du’aa to Allah was:
"And Verily! I fear my relatives after me, since my wife is barren. So give me from Yourself an heir; Who shall inherit me, and inherit (also) the posterity of Ya'qub (Jacob) (inheritance of the religious knowledge and Prophethood, not the wealth, etc.). And make him, my Lord, one with whom You are Well-pleased!".
[Surah Maryam, Ayaat 5 & 6]
Prophet Zakariyyah alayhis salaam who describe himself to Allaah (even though Allaah is well aware of his condition) as “..my bones have grown feeble, and grey hair has spread on my head..” and his wife as “…my wife is barren..”
A man past his prime with a wife who is barren and yet, he comes to Allaah asking for what defies (human) logic.
Before the du’aa, Prophet Zakariyyah alayhis salaam says,
“..and I have never been unblest in my invocation to You, O my Lord!”
And this is what I was saying about answered du’aa; it increases your audacity to ask.
And of course, Allaah responds. With Prophet Yahya.
And one of my dreams in life is to birth a son who embodies the traits Allaah described Prophet Yahya alayhis salaam with:
“And We gave him wisdom while yet a child. And (made him) sympathetic to men as a mercy (or a grant) from Us, and pure from sins [i.e. Yahya (John)] and he was righteous, And dutiful towards his parents, and he was neither an arrogant nor disobedient (to Allah or to his parents).”
[Surah Maryam, Ayaat 12 - 14]
What a man that would be, no?
And Allaah, He is Al-Waasi’, The Expansive. Al-Mujeeb, The Responsive. Al-Kareem, The Generous — Who gives without measure.
So now, let me tell about this challenge but first, meet my friend, M.
M is what you may describe as a du’aa warrior.
She’s the friend who ends a conversation with “I’m making du’aa for you”
She speaks about du’aa in a very endearing way— in a way you will talk about a loved one, you know; cheeks turning pink (or whatever color melanin-dyed skin turns), dreamy eyes.. all of that.
M is an advocate for du’aa.
And as the du’aa advocate that she is, she created this challenge which combines the two main things her brand is about: du’aa and productivity.
In other words, du’aa and getting things done.
The challenge itself takes you through bi idhnillaah, 12 transformative weeks of
du’aa + action (tying the camel) + accountability
and guess what, in ALL the aspects of your life — deen, family, wealth and health.
One of my favorite things about this challenge is how it is heavily anti-mediocrity. And if you are part of our Maktabah community, you KNOW how much we have read about and emphasize the need for Muslims to be pro-active, have high aspirations and DO the work needed to reach while seeking help from and relying only on Allaah — the One by whose Will all good is accomplished.
So if like me you struggle with du’aa or have limiting beliefs in your approach to du’aa or need accountability to level up or achieve certain goals in your personal/spirtual/career/family life, then this is for you.
She is hosting a 12 Week Du’aa Challenge starting tomorrow in shaa Allaah.
Yes, tomorrow!
So, to borrow her words..
if you are feeling all over the place, feeling like you're behind in life, or just want to UP your du'a + action game, this may just be the challenge for you (:
If this is for you, then jump on it, you can register with my affiliate link* and I’ll see you on the inside (;
in shaa Allaah.
*When you use this link to register for the challenge I get a commission at no extra cost to you
+ share this with anyone who might need it 🤍
Your sister-in-striving,
Fatimah,
On the road to Ihsan.