*🔖🔖WEEKLY MEMORIZATIONS🔖🔖*

🔊 *Memorize Rabbana Dua 3 – {Qur’an 2:201}*

*✒Transliteration*

'''Waminhum man yaqoolu rabbana atinafee addunya hasanatan wafee al-akhiratihasanatan waqina AAathaba annar'''

*✒Translation*

_But among them is he who says, “Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”_

(Surat Al Baqarah 2: Verse 201)

*✒Context Surah*

This dua is verse number 201 of Surat Baqarah. Surah Baqarah is chronologically the 2nd Sura in the Quran. It is also the longest sura of the Quran with 286 verses that span almost three juz. It is considered a Madani Sura as the greater portion of it was revealed in the first two years of the Prophet’s life in Madinah. The theme of the sura is ‘guidance’. In Sura Fatiha we ask Allah subhanawatala,

'''“Guide us to the straight path…”'''

(Surat Al Fatiha 1: Verse 6)

And we receive the answer to that prayer in Surah Baqarah,

'''“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.”'''

(Surat Al Baqarah 2: Verse 2)

The believing slave of Allah searches for the straight path in this life hoping that each step in this life is a step closer to Jannah. Allah subhanawatala in His Infinite Mercy placed the Quran as a guide to navigate the many paths laid before us so that as we recite and reflect upon its ayaat we move slowly and surely upon Siratul mustaqeem. In our search for our house in Jannah the Shaytaan lays a myriad of traps to distract and disillusion us, and fill us with despair.  Many ahadith emphasize the importance of Sura Baqarah:

Narrated Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah salallahu alaihi wasullum said: _“Do not turn your houses into graves. Indeed Ash-Shaitan does not enter the house in which Sura Al-Baqarah is recited.”_
(At-Tirmidhi)

He also said: _“Learn Surat Al-Baqarah, because in learning it there is blessing, in ignoring it there is sorrow, and the sorceresses cannot memorize it.”_

*✒ Explanation*

Let us pick up from where we left off at the second Rabban dua. Prophet Ibraheem alaihis sallam supplicated to Allah that the generation of believers that were to come from his progeny be taught the rites of Hajj. Allah subhanawatala has accepted his dua and the barren valley of Mecca is pulsating with throngs of worshippers. You are blessed to be one of those pilgrims who have said labbayyk to the Call. In your heart rings the words of your teacher, _“Don’t forget, the journey of hajj is like the journey of life. It will end soon and we will all return to our Rubb.”_

You smile to yourself, _“I am going to make the most of it while it lasts.”_ The Ihraam is proper. Your bags are full of necessary items and your heart is full of taqwa. You have been reminded by friends and family that patience is the real test of Hajj and you are ready for every ill-tempered hajji, every delayed bus, for the crowds, the shoving and the incredibly intense heat. Allah said,

'''“…And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah…”'''

(Surat Al Baqarah 2: Verse 197)

The ihram reminds you that we are all equal before Allah, regardless of our race, ethnicity or nationality. The Quraish in the pre-Islamic days would remain in the Haram and not proceed to Arafat because they wanted to assert their ‘purity’ upon the other tribes. It is sad to see distinctions of wealth creeping into the rituals of Hajj. The five star tent has air-conditioning you know? Arrogance is a dangerous affliction; at Hajj and in life. In the pre-Islamic days once the rites of Hajj were complete a massive party was thrown. People would stand around and recount the tales of their forefathers, recite poetry and generally forget the remembrance of Allah. Allah subhanawatala commands the believers,

'''“And remember Allah during [specific] numbered days… “'''

(Surat Al Baqarah 2: Verse 203)

Allah subhanawatala gives you the opportunity and ability to perform the rites of Hajj. You stop by the teeming bazaar to pick up a gift for your mom and your best friend, careful not to forget the time of Asr and wary of spending needless time shopping. The sahabah were initially concerned about trading at Hajj but Allah subhanawatala gave them permission,

'''“There is no blame upon you for seeking bounty from your Lord [during Hajj].”'''

(Surat Al Baqarah 2: Verse 198)

In life, as in Hajj there are no restrictions on seeking the halal benefits of dunya as long as the remembrance of Allah is not compromised. But is dunya all we need? There are people who fulfill the physical rites of the pilgrimage but when they raise their hands to make dua they say,

''' “Our Lord, give us in this world,”'''

(Surat Al Baqarah 2: Verse 200)

What a petty request? *When your sins have been forgiven, and the doors of Allah’s Mercy are open to you, you ask for dunya?* Those that do not believe in the akhirah also ask for dunya. Shouldn’t the believer whose ihram is covered with the dust of Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafah ask for more? Then Allah subhanawatala gives us the dua that we are so familiar with and which meets His approval:

'''“Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”'''

(Surat Al Baqarah 2: Verse 201)

Did Allah forbid us from asking for the dunya? Did He ask us to forsake this world and seek only the Hereafter? Certainly not! We live in this life using the resources that He has provided us but we try not to forget that our final return is to Him

'''“…And fear Allah and know that unto Him you will be gathered.”'''

(Surat Al Baqarah 2: Verse 203)

*This beautiful dua captures the essence of a balanced Islamic life style.* Every good of this world bears fruit in the hereafter. So we ask Allah for the hasanat of this world: home, halal rizq, safety, loving spouse and offspring. Many definitions of ‘the good of this world’ have been given by the scholars:

'''“Whoever is gifted with a grateful heart, a remembering tongue and a patient body, will have been endowed with a good deed in this life, a good deed in the Hereafter and saved from the torment of the Fire.”'''

– Al-Qasim bin 'Abdur-Rahman

'''“The good of this world is knowledge and worship, and the good of the hereafter is Paradise.”'''

– Al-Hasan Al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him)

We strive to fulfill the rights of our Rubb by being grateful for the blessings that He showers upon us. We seek through our gratitude His love and His pleasure and the hasanat of the akhira (even as we make dua for them). The hasant of the akhira are numerous. *To mention a few I believe that inshallah He will save me from the punishment of the grave and the Day of Judgment will pass swiftly. That Allah will discuss my sins with me in private.*

In a hadith reported by Imam Buhkari and Muslim the Prophet salallahu alihiwasullum said: _“Allah will bring the believer very close and privately and ask him “Do you know this sin? Do you know that sin? The believers reply will be, “Yes Oh Lord,” until he is reminded about all of his sins, and he thinks he will perish. Then Allah will say “I covered up your sins during your life, and I will forgive your sins today. Then he will be given his book of good deeds. But the unbelievers and hypocrites will be asked about their deeds loudly in front of the creatures._

'''“These are the ones who lied against their Lord!” No doubt! The curse of Allah is on the wrongdoers” '''

(Surat Hūd 11: Verse 18)

The hasanat of the akhira also include passing swiftly over the Sirat and when I reach on the other side at the bridge before Jannah inshallah no one will be there waiting to even the score with me.

*✒ Reflection*

_This exquisite and succinct dua is relevant for all times and places._

'''It was reported from Anas ibn Malik radiallahu anhu that Rasul Allah salallahu alihiwasullum made this du’aa the most.'''

[Muslim & Bukhari]

He also made this in the final circle of the tawaf between the Rukn Yemeni and the Black Stone. With the tawaf you have mentally and emotionally placed the obedience of Allah in the center of your soul. As you step back into the world again you ask Allah for the good of this world and the good of the Hereafter and protection from the fire of Hell.

The hasanat we ask for are general and numerous. *We as believers leave the exact nature of the hasanat to Allah because He alone knows what is truly beneficial for us.  We know for sure however, that we don’t want to go to Hell therefore we seek Allah’s protection from it.*

Narrated: Anas that Allah’s Messenger salallahu alihi wasullum said: '''One of the most miserable people in the world will be brought from among the people of Paradise. Allah will say (to the angels): Dip him once in Paradise. So they will dip him once in it. Then Allah (SWT) will ask him: Did you ever face any distress or a thing you hate. He would say: No, by Your Glory! Never did I face anything unpleasant. Then one of the most affluent people of the world will be brought from Hell. Allah will command (the angels) Dip him once in it. Then He will ask him: 0 son of Adam! Did you ever enjoy any comfort? (that is, a dip in Hell can make one forget the meaning of comfort).'''

(This Hadith is sound and reported in Musnad Ahmad)

_May Allah protect us from the fire of Hell._

*Please memorize this Rabbana dua and share it with your friends and family.*

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📌 *Reference*

http://www.ilmfruits.com/2008/a-complete-duaa/

http://ia600803.us.archive.org/27/items/InTheShadeOfTheQuranSayyidQutb/Volume_1_surah_1-2.pdf

http://www.tadabbur-i-quran.org/text-of-tadabbur-i-quran/volume-1/urdu-surah-baqarah-8/51/

http://www.farhathashmi.com/english-tafsir/?goiml-id=345

http://forums.islamicawakening.com/f15/what-is-good-world-what-good-hereafter-8823/

http://ahadith.co.uk/hadithbynarrator.php?n=Anas&bid=14&let=A

Authored by *Sabeen Mansoori*
Edited by *Shamsiya Noorul Quloob*