A Powerful Supplication for Life’s Challenges
In our daily lives, we often face moments of uncertainty, difficulty, and need. During these times, we turn to Allah (SWT) in supplication, seeking His guidance, mercy, and assistance. What if you knew there was a special way to call upon Allah that carries extraordinary significance – a supplication so powerful that the Prophet ﷺ himself confirmed its special status? Today, we share with you a beautiful hadith that reveals one of Allah’s greatest names and the remarkable promise attached to it.
Narrated Buraydah ibn al-Hasib (RA): The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard a man saying:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ أَنِّي أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ الأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ الَّذِي لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
Allahumma inni asaluka bi Anni Asshadu Annaka Antallah La illaha illa anta al Ahad As Samad Alladhi lam yalid walum yulad wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad
“O Allah, I ask You, I bear witness that there is no god but You, the One, He to Whom men repair, Who has not begotten, and has not been begotten, and to Whom no one is equal,” and he said: “You have supplicated Allah using His Greatest Name, when asked with this name He gives, and when supplicated by this name He answers.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud 1493, Book 8, Hadith 78)
Understanding the Profound Gift in This Hadith
This hadith captures a beautiful moment of divine confirmation. The Prophet ﷺ hears someone making a heartfelt supplication to Allah, not knowing the special significance of the words he chose. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, with his divinely guided wisdom, recognizes something extraordinary in this supplication and shares this knowledge with his followers as a gift of mercy.
What makes this moment particularly meaningful is that the Prophet ﷺ confirms that the man had unknowingly called upon Allah by His greatest name, a name so powerful that Allah has promised to respond when it is used in supplication.
The Elements of This Powerful Dua
Let’s reflect on the beautiful attributes of Allah mentioned in this supplication:
- “There is no god but You” – This is the foundation of our faith, the testimony of Tawhid (Islamic monotheism). By beginning with this declaration, we reaffirm our commitment to Allah’s oneness.
- “The One” – Allah is Al-Ahad, absolutely One in His essence, attributes, and actions. Unlike His creation, He has no partners, parts, or divisions.
- “He to Whom men repair” – this means “The One and Only, the Self Sufficient Master” referring to Allah’s name As-Samad, the Eternal Refuge to whom all creation turns in need. He is self-sufficient while everything else depends on Him. We all turn to Him and He repairs our souls, our hearts and us.
- “Who has not begotten, and has not been begotten” – Allah is neither a father nor a son. He is unlike His creation, existing eternally without origin or offspring.
- “To Whom no one is equal” – Nothing in existence compares to Allah. He is unique and incomparable in His perfection.
These attributes collectively form a beautiful testimony to Allah’s perfect Oneness (Tawhid), which is the core essence of Islam.
The Promise of Response
The most hopeful aspect of this hadith is the Prophet’s ﷺ confirmation: “When asked with this name He gives, and when supplicated by this name He answers.” This is not merely information – it is a divine promise conveyed through the truthful Prophet ﷺ.
In a world filled with uncertainty, where requests may go unanswered and doors may remain closed, we are given assurance that there is One who never fails to respond when called upon in this special way. This doesn’t necessarily mean that every supplication will be answered exactly as we wish or on our timeline, but it does mean that Allah has promised to respond in the way that is best for us.
Can you imagine making this dua during times of acceptance? On a Friday between Asr and Maghrib, or during your duas of tahajjud? What a beautiful way to supercharge your duas and be assured of an answer.
Incorporating This Supplication Into Our Lives
How can we benefit from this powerful hadith in our daily lives? Here are 5 simple ways of using this amazing hadith and the dua from it to improve your life right now:
- Memorize this dua – Take time to commit these words to memory, understanding their meaning and significance.
- Make it part of your regular duas – Consider incorporating this supplication into your daily prayers, especially during times of particular need.
- Contemplate its meanings – As you recite these words, reflect deeply on the attributes of Allah they describe. This transforms the supplication from mere words into a profound spiritual experience.
- Combine it with sincere actions – Remember that while this supplication has special significance, it works best when combined with a life of good deeds, avoidance of sin, and sincere devotion to Allah.
- Share this knowledge – The Prophet ﷺ shared this knowledge as a mercy to the ummah. We can follow his example by respectfully sharing it with others who might benefit.
A Reminder of Allah’s Mercy
This hadith reminds us of Allah’s immense mercy toward His servants. He not only answers our prayers but has even guided us to the most effective ways to call upon Him. Through His final Prophet ﷺ, Allah has taught us the words that are most beloved to Him—a gift that demonstrates His desire to respond to His servants.
In Surah Ghafir (40:60), Allah promises: “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.” This hadith provides us with one of the most powerful means to actualize this divine promise.
In a world where we often feel powerless against life’s challenges, this hadith offers us something invaluable – direct access to the greatest name of the creator of the universe, with His promise of response. Through these beautiful words that affirm Allah’s perfect Oneness, we have been given a key that unlocks divine response.
As you navigate life’s joys and trials, keep this supplication close to your heart. Remember that you are never alone, never without recourse, and never beyond help. The One who created everything is ready to answer when called upon by His greatest name.
May Allah grant us the wisdom to use this gift appropriately, the sincerity that makes our supplications acceptable, and the patience to recognise His responses in whatever form they take.
Ameen.
