Hard Times: From the Dua of Ta’if to Istikharah | Dr. Haifaa Younis

Hard Times: From the Dua of Ta’if to Istikharah | Dr. Haifaa Younis
The duʿā’ of Ṭāʾif
O Allah, to You I complain of my weakness, my lack of resources, and my insignificance among people.
O Most Merciful of the merciful, You are the Lord of the weak, and You are my Lord.
To whom will You entrust me? To a distant one who scorns me? Or to an enemy to whom You have given control over my affairs?
If Your anger is not upon me, then I do not care, but Your well-being is more ample for me.
I seek refuge in the light of Your countenance, by which darknesses are illuminated and by which the affairs of this world and the Hereafter are set right, lest Your wrath descend upon me or Your displeasure befall me. To You belongs the right reproach until You are pleased, and there is no might nor power except with You.
Allāhumma ilayka ashkū ḍaʿfa quwwatī,
wa qillata ḥīlatī, wa hawānī ʿalā al-nās.
Yā Arḥama al-rāḥimīn, you rabbul-mustaḍʿafīn, wa you rabbī.
Is there a person who is sick? Is he baʿīdin yatajah-hamunī?
Am I ʿaduwwin mallaktahu amrī?
In lam yakun bika ʿalayya ghaḍabun falā ubālī,
walākinna ʿāfiyataka hiya awsaʿ lī.
Aʿūdhu binūri wajhika alladhī ashraqat lahu al-ẓulumāt,
wa ṣaluḥa ʿalayhi amru al-dunyā wal-ākhirah,
an yaḥilla ʿalayya ghaḍabuk, aw yanzila ʿalayya sakhaṭuk.
Laka al-ʿutbā ḥattā tarḍā,
wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā bika.
“O Allah, to You alone I complain of my weakness, my lack of means, and my humiliation before people.
O Most Merciful of the merciful, You are the Lord of the oppressed, and You are my Lord.
To whom will You trust me? To a distant person who will frown at me? Or to an enemy whom You have given control over my affairs?
As long as You are not angry with me, I do not mind; yet Your protection is far better for me.
I seek refuge in the light of Your Face, by which all darkness is illuminated, and by which the affairs of this world and the Hereafter are set right, from ever incurring Your anger or being subject to Your wrath.
To You belongs all appeal until You are pleased. There is no power and no might except with You.”
This duʿā’ is one of the most humble, broken-hearted prayers of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. It shows:
His utter dependence on Allah
That true fear is only Allah’s anger, not people’s rejection
Seeking refuge in Allah’s mercy even in hardship