The Wisdom Behind Hazrat Musa (A.S.)’s Du’a: A Lesson in Seeking Divine Help and Constant Remembrance
By: Aneeqa Sheikh
I had been contemplating for a long time about why Hazrat Musa (A.S.), when asking Allah for ease,confidence, and clarity in speech for his task (to speak to Firoun), asked directly for those things. Yet,contrary to that, in the second part of the du’a, when he asked for a wazir (his brother) to be appointed for his help, he justified it twice by saying, “let him share my task, that we may exalt You much and remember You much.”
Hazrat Musa (A.S.) was about to undertake the tough task of confronting Firoun. He asked Allah to bring his brother onboard so his strength could be increased through Harun (A.S.), as Harun was gifted in articulation and was very scholarly. This highlights that people serving the deen need a solid team of supporters. There is no denying this fact. Even our Prophet (PBUH) himself prayed for either Abu Jahl or Umar (R.A.s’s hidayah so that one of them would join the fold of Islam. We all know that with the conversion of Umar (R.A.), the new Muslims in Makkah no longer needed to hide their faith.
But why did Hazrat Musa (A.S.) feel the need to further justify to Allah that they would praise Him much and remember Him much if his brother was appointed as a helper? Why not just ask for the help, as he did in the first part of the du’a, and move on? No ifs or buts. What was the need for the justification: “so we may glorify You much and remember You much”?
As I was listening to the tafseer today, the answer presented itself, Alhamdulillah. The people working for Allah need to dedicate more personal time to Him. They need to plug in more and increase their
personal ibaadah because this is essential to avoid fitna in deen.
Shaitan isn’t going to tempt them with clear-cut haraam. People working for deen are well aware of such traps.
No, the real challenge is spiritual depletion, which opens the door for Shaitan to lead us into fitna. Our work can start to feel more important than our Ibadah, or the focus and niyyah can shift to our own being. Our life journey begins to take precedence, and the true purpose of life takes a back seat.
This is what happens when we disconnect from our personal ibaadah. Hazrat Musa (A.S.) emphasizes, “Grant me a helper from my family so we may praise You much and remember You much.” It is like saying, “Add to my strength so we can make it more about You, O Allah.”
The tasbeeh purifies not just the tongue but also removes impurities from our service, making it solely for Allah. Constant remembrance keeps us on the right track at all times.
Alhamdulillah for this solid reminder. May Allah make all our deeds righteous, make them sincere for His sake, and not let anything be for anyone else other than Him.
Reflection On Hifz
By: Zairah Maher
Growing up with the Quran, I always thought it was book we just did not get. As kids we would run from it, then when I read it as a teenager and an adult, it was foreign to me and I had no connection or feeling.
But when I started hifz, not even with Tafseer, but with hifz, my tongue, my lips, and even my chest had to try out every single letter. I’ve had to push my asthma back and make my breath stretch for an ayah. My fingers to keep count. My ears to hear my mistake or how my favourite Qari and teachers have recited to pronounce the ayahs in the same way repeatedly despite frustration to get the makharij correct.
And slowly this relationship has become so much deeper. My mushaf no longer sits ceremoniously on my shelf high up. It is on my work table with me constantly. I find myself in wudhu more often so that I can pick it up whenever I wish, and revise whenever I get even 15/20 mins. It is no longer a stranger, but something as familiar as my own skin and wrinkles.
And sometimes when I am memorizing a new portion it feels like my brain will implode with just the pressure of trying to get the ayahs embedded in my memory. And it makes me realise how heavy the ayahs are and how one cannot take this responsibility of memorizing lightly.
But once you work past that pressure, you whiz through a long ayah and you’re like- whoa that went by fast!
Two Women of Wonder
By Fatima Azfar
As a wife, mother, and a student of the Qur’an, I want to follow in the footsteps and the journey that echoes the inspiring paths of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (R.A) and Nusaybah bint Ka’ab (R.A). The life of these remarkable women offer timeless lessons that resonate deeply with my own life today.
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (R.A) was a trailblazer in her own right. She was a woman who not only managed a thriving business but also supported her family with unwavering love and dedication.
Her story is a testament to the power of balancing multiple roles with grace and strength, much like I aspire to do as I nurture my young daughter while studying the Qur’an.
Khadijah’s (R.A) marriage with Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) was built on mutual respect and a shared vision, highlighting the profound impact of a supportive wife. Her belief in the Prophet’s (S.A.W) mission during the most challenging times exemplifies the strength found in faith and partnership. As I study the Qur’an, I keep Khadijah’s (R.A) life as a reminder that my ambitions and my family life can coexist harmoniously, each enriching the other.
Nusaybah bint Ka’ab’s (R.A) life is another dimension of inspiration, with her courage and resilience. Nusaybah (R.A) broke gender norms by actively defending her faith and community. I picture her standing strong during battles like Uhud, fiercely protective of what she believed in.
Her story is a powerful reminder that determination and conviction can lead to extraordinary achievements. As I pursue my studies and personal growth, Nusaybah’s (R.A) life encourages me to break barriers and approach my goals with unwavering determination.
Both Khadijah (R.A) and Nusaybah (R.A) exemplify how faith can fuel my journey, whether in nurturing my family or pursuing personal aspirations. Their legacies remind me that with perseverance and belief, I can achieve remarkable things.
As i guide my daughter on her journey, their stories serve as a beacon, showing her—and me—that women have always been at the forefront of change and empowerment. They teach me that my role as mother, wife or student are not mutually exclusive but interconnected paths leading to fulfillment.
I want to teach my daughter that she can dream big, pursue knowledge, and make meaningful contributions to her community—all while being true to herself and her values.
