Assalamu Alaikum,
I always seem to be failing in everything I do. Whenever I take decision it ends up going wrong, whenevcer I engage in some buisness activity I end up loosing and I always get cheated by people. As head of my family this has caused me alot of frustration – since my entire family is suffering as a result of these actions.
Please let me know what I can do to come out of this situations. Is there any recitations etc that I can continue.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Throughout life, one faces many situations where important decisions have to be made. Many a times, one faces these situations for the first time. As a result of inexperience, wrong decisions are made because of which a lot of harm and loss is caused.
Therefore, Islām has a concept known as Mashwarah which is translated as “consultation”. When one consults another person who is more experienced in life than him, Allāh Ta’ālā puts Khair and goodness in the decision. To stress the importance of Mashwarah, even the Messenger of Allāh was ordered to consult the Sahābah in certain situations.
Hence, we advise you to always consult people of knowledge and experience before making decisions. They will guide you towards what is best for you. If need be, make Istikhārah also. That is to seek divine guidance from Allāh. This practice has been shown to us by Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam. Whatever decision you make after performing Istikhārah will be blessed by Allāh Ta’ālā. The method of offering Istikhārah is as follows: First two Rak’āt of Nafl Salāh should be offered. Thereafter, the following Du‘ā should be made with full concentration:
اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُك بِعِلْمِك ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُك بِقُدْرَتِك ، وَأَسْأَلُك مِنْ فَضْلِك الْعَظِيمِ ، فَإِنَّك تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ اللَّهُمَّ إنْ كُنْت تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي وَعَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ ، فَاقْدِرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ ، وَإِنْ كُنْت تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي وَعَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ ، وَاقْدِرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ ارْضِنِي بِهِ
When he reaches the underlined words, he should think of the thing for which he is making Istikhārah.
Learn from your past mistakes. See that you do not end up in the same circumstances that befell you previously. A believer never gets bitten by the same snake twice.
Also, try to bring the quality of Taqwā into your life. Taqwā is to obey the commands of Allāh such as Salāh five times daily, fasting in Ramadhān, Zakāh annually and to leave the disobedience of Allāh such as interest and Harām business transactions. Ensure that the business you involve yourself in is totally Sharīah compliant. This will bring Barakah and blessings into your business. Allāh Ta’ālā says in the Qurān:
“And the one who brings Taqwā into his/her life, Allāh will solve all his/her difficulties.” ( Qurān 65:2)
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Abdul Azīm bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
U.S.A.
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.