By It goes without saying that we will be tried and tested countless times during our short lifespan – and asking for Allah’s help is necessary. The tests of life can take us to new heights in a good or bad way. It all trickles down to perspective. There are moments when we may experience the pressure and weight of these tests, and in moments of weakness, we depend on others. But in those exact moments when you feel that you must rely on other people, one should remember the phrase ‘Allahul Musta’an’.
I first heard the phrase ‘Allahul Musta’an’ from my Quran teacher. When she said those words, I asked her what they meant. She explained that she recited those words to remind herself that her dependency is on Allah (SWT.)
Aim to Seek Allah’s Help in Every Situation
When Prophet Yusuf (AS) was discarded in a well by his step-brothers, and his torn and bloodied shirt was taken to his father, Prophet Yaqub (AS) responded by saying:
وَجَآءُو عَلَىٰ قَمِيصِهِۦ بِدَمٍۢ كَذِبٍۢ ۚ قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًۭا ۖ فَصَبْرٌۭ جَمِيلٌۭ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ
“And they brought his shirt, stained with false blood. He responded, “No! Your souls must have tempted you to do something ˹evil˺. So I can only endure with beautiful patience! It is Allah’s help that I seek to bear your claims.” (Surah Yusuf, Ayah 18)
Despite knowing that his older sons had betrayed his trust and done away with his beloved Yusuf (AS,) Prophet Ya’qub (AS) never wavered. He asked Allah (SWT) for help, and he waited patiently for his son for the next few decades. It was this story and this ayah that struck me.
The amount of patience and unwavering trust that Prophet Ya’qub (AS) had in Allah (SWT) is something we can only imagine. But it’s that same trust, patience and cries for help to Allah (SWT) that makes us understand that no matter the severity, Allah (SWT) is undoubtedly the only one who can help us and make things easy.
How to Seek Allah’s help
It’s only been a few years that the words ‘Allahul Musta’an’ have indeed found their way into my heart and mind. As a teenager and even a young adult, I lashed out when things didn’t go my way. I’d question my destiny and throw myself into something that would bring me short-lived happiness. I’d look for solutions outside of Islam when we’ve been given many different ways to move forward, ask for help, and rely on Allah (SWT.)
By the will of Allah (SWT), and over the last few years, I’ve found an easy way of asking Allah (SWT) for help. I do three things repeatedly whenever I find myself seeking Allah (SWT) the most:
- Waking up for Tahajjud.
- Istighfar and making dua for whatever you want is a foolproof way of asking Allah (SWT) for help.
- Istikharah (asking for Allah’s (SWT) guidance and help) is another absolute winner for any decision you make. If Allah (SWT) didn’t want us to ask Him for help, these methods wouldn’t exist.
In Sahih Bukhari, it is narrated by Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.”
The hadith above is a form of assurance that every hardship we’re going through, whatever it may be, won’t go in vain. So the next time you’re going through a brutal test or experiencing a delay in that job you want or that person you want to marry, remember the words ‘Allahul Musta’an’, Allah is the one that is sought for help. That delay may be a blessing in disguise, and that test will be a reason for good change. Nothing happens without the will of Allah (SWT), and going to Allah (SWT) for help is ultimately what He wants from us.
Like Prophet Ya’qub (AS), if we persistently ask Allah (SWT) while maintaining hope for the absolute best and practicing patience, Allah (SWT) will grant us our desires or bestow something even better than what we seek.