Introduction of prayer:
This prayer refers to Sayyidna Yaqub (as). Allah Kareem narrates the story of Sayyidna Yousuf (as) when his brothers took him with them to a jungle to play. They promised his father that they would take care of him. They threw him in a well and went back at night crying and showing for losing Sayyidna Yousuf (as). They came with fake blood on his shirt and claimed that a wolf had eaten him. When Sayyidna Yaqub (as) saw the shirt he understood their evil plan because they neglected to tear it. He said, “My sons, certainly wise was this wolf who ate Yusuf in a way that his shirt was not torn from anywhere.”You have made a tale, so the noble patience is better until Allah relieves the distress with His aid and compassion.
Exposition & virtues of prayer:
وَٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ
And it is Allah (alone) Whose help can be sought against that which you describe.
Sayyidna Yaqub (as) sought divine help against the lies and evil plan of his sons. He supplicated Allah by calling His Blessed Name ‘Al-Musta’an’.
Al-Musta’an (The One Whose help is sought):
Al-Musata’an is one whose help is first and foremost should be sought. He is the One who knows, sees, hears and controls all affairs and therefore His help is perfect at all times.
Musta’an is derived from the root word ‘awn. It has been used in different forms in the Qur’an, like Isti’aanah, Ta’awun, and Nasta’een.
Isti’aanah is an important concept in Islam. It is, in fact, an act of worship. We need to say Wal-laahul Musta’aan very frequently, especially when someone utters any impiety or when falsehood is presented as truth. It is also to be said when one is faced with any calamity, difficulties or distress.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught us to ask for help only from Allah Kareem. It is narrated by Imam Tirmidhi from Sayyidna Ibn ‘Abbas (RA);
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ كُنْتُ خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمًا فَقَالَ “ يَا غُلاَمُ إِنِّي أُعَلِّمُكَ كَلِمَاتٍ احْفَظِ اللَّهَ يَحْفَظْكَ احْفَظِ اللَّهَ تَجِدْهُ تُجَاهَكَ إِذَا سَأَلْتَ فَاسْأَلِ اللَّهَ وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْتَ فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ الأُمَّةَ لَوِ اجْتَمَعَتْ عَلَى أَنْ يَنْفَعُوكَ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَنْفَعُوكَ إِلاَّ بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ لَكَ وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَضُرُّوكَ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَضُرُّوكَ إِلاَّ بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ رُفِعَتِ الأَقْلاَمُ وَجَفَّتِ الصُّحُفُ
Ibn ‘Abbas narrated:
“I was behind the Prophet(s.a.w) one day when he said: ‘O boy! I will teach you a statement: Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you. When you ask, ask Allah, and when you seek aid, seek Allah’s aid. Know that if the entire creation were to gather together to do something to benefit you- you would never get any benefit except that Allah had written for you. And if they were to gather to do something to harm you- you would never be harmed except that Allah had written for you. The pens are lifted and the pages are dried. (Tirmidhi: 2516)
In each prayer we say إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ, it demands every believer to seek help from Allah in all conditions, in every trouble and distress. As Allah is sufficient for His servants.
أَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِكَافٍ عَبْدَهُۥ ۖ
Is Allah not sufficient for His servant?
Surely Allah Is Sufficient for the believers.
