The Obligation of Seeking Refuge from Four Things Before the Dua’ in Tashahud

Taken from the ‘Original Sifat as-Salah‘

By Shaykh Muhadith Nasir as-Sunnah ,Muhammad Nasir- Deen Al-Albaani

Translated by Abbas Abu Yahya

‘The Messenger -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to say: ‘If one of you finishes from the [last] (1) Tashahud; then he should seek refuge (2) with Allaah from four things; [he says: ‘O Allaah I seek refuge with You] from the punishment of the Hell-Fire, and from the punishment of the grave, and from the Fitna of life and death, and from the evil of the Fitna (trials) of the Maseeh ad-Dajjal.’ [then he makes Dua’ for himself with that which appears apparent to him (3)] [He -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- would make Dua’ with it in Tashahud] (4) [He -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to teach it to his Companions -Radi Allaahu anhum- just as he would teach them a Soorah from the Qur’aan.](5)

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Shaykh Albani’s footnotes:

(1) The benefit of this extra wording is the legislation of this ‘seeking refuge’ in the last Tashahud rather than the first Tashahud; this is in contrast to what Ibn Hazm said in ‘al-Muhalla’ (3/271) and Ibn Daqeeq al-Eid followed him in this, whereby he said: ‘The chosen way is to make Dua’ in the first Tashahud, like making Dua’ in the last Tashahud, due to the general authentic hadeeth:

‘If one of you makes Tashahud; then he should seek refuge with Allaah from …’

Al-Hafidh said in ‘al-Talkhees’ (3/507):

‘And he commented that it is in ‘as-Saheeh’ (al-Bukhari) from Abu Huriara with the wording:

‘If one of you finishes from the last Tashahud; then he should seek refuge with Allaah from …’

Ibn al-Qayyim said in ‘Za’ad’:

‘The Messenger -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- did not seek refuge in the first Tashahud – from the punishment of the grave and punishment of the Fire …. Etc.

Whoever recommended saying it, (in the last Tashahud) had understood this standing from the general texts, but the absolute texts indeed correctly clarified its position, and restricted it to the last Tashahud.’

Then al-Hafidh said in ‘al-Fath’ (2/253) after bringing the hadeeth:

‘So in this hadeeth this ‘seeking refuge’ is specified to after finishing the Tashahud; and this Dua’ precedes all other Duas. As for when the person praying is given the permission to choose which Dua’ he wants to supplicate with, then this is after the ‘seeking refuge’ and before giving the Salams.’

I say (Albani): ‘And the extra wording is at the end of the hadeeth – ‘then he makes Dua’ for him-self with what he wants.’ And this is a text to show that seeking refuge is in the second Tashahud.’

(2) This shows clearly that seeking refuge is obligatory and some of the Ahl-ul-Dhahir hold this opinion – and from them is Ibn Hazm (3/271)).

Al-Hafidh said (2/256):

‘Some of the people claimed that there is a consensus that it is not obligatory, however there is a problem with this; because AbdurRazaq narrated with an authentic Isnaad from Tawwoos, indicating that he holds the ‘seeking refuge’ to be obligatory. This was when he asked his son; if he had said it after the Tashahud?

And his son replied: No.

Tawwoos ordered him to repeat the prayer.’

I say (Albani): Indeed Muslim narrated this in his ‘Saheeh’ (2/94) as it came from Tawwoos.

Al-Hafidh said:

‘Ibn Hazm was over generalizing when he said that you should also say it in the first Tashahud.

Ibn al-Mundhir said: if it was not for the hadeeth of Ibn Mas’ood whereby he narrated that: ‘then the person has a choice of what to make Dua’ with’ then I would have said it was obligatory.’

I say (Albani): This choice of making Dua’ excludes ‘seeking refuge from these four things’, so due to the evidence this choice of making Dua’ becomes restricted, to be said after finishing ‘seeking refuge from these four things’  – has as preceded – ; so the truth is that it is obligatory, and Allaah knows best.

(3) From the hadeeth of Abu Huraira -Radi Allaahu anhu- collected by Muslim, Abu ‘Awaanah, Ibn Majah and Ahmad.

(4) From the hadeeth of Abdullaah bin Abbas -Radi Allaahu anhu- collected by Abu Dawood and this sanad is Hasan, its narrators are all narrators of Muslim.

(5) From the hadeeth of Abdullaah bin Abbas -Radi Allaahu anhu- collected by Malik and Muslim, and from him Abu Dawood, Nisae’ and Tirmidhi.

['Original Sifat as-Salah' vol. 3/p.998 – 1001]

Transcribed from: Gems and Jewels | Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid | DarusSalam

A man went to Ibn ‘Abbas radiAllaahu ‘anhu and said, “O Ibn ‘Abbas, I want to enjoin people to do good and forbid them from doing evil.” Ibn ‘Abbas said, “And have you reached that level?” He said, “I hope that that is so.” He said, “If you do not fear to be exposed by three verses of Allah’s Book, then do so.” The man asked, “And what are they?” He mentioned this verse:

Enjoin you Al-Birr (piety and righteousness and each and every act of obedience to Allâh) on the people and you forget (to practise it) yourselves.” (Baqarah 2:44)

And then asked, “Have you applied the implications of this verse?” He said, “No.” Ibn ‘Abbas then mentioned the second verse:

O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allâh that you say that which you do not do. (As-Saff 61:2-3)

After that he asked, “Have you applied the implications of this verse?” He said, “No.” He then mentioned the third verse regarding Shu’aib alayhi salaam:

“I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you.” (Hud 11:88)

And then he asked, “Have you applied the implications of this verse? He said, “No.” Ibn ‘Abbas said, “Then begin with yourself.”

1. This is a journey that was taken by Prophets and Messengers before you. Those who take the path of the Prophets magnify the tawheed of Allah and His House. There are those, however, who come to perform hajj and their hearts are attached to other than Allaah. They invoke the dead and the righteous, whether present or absent. This is the opposite of tawheed, it is shirk no matter what they call it because it is setting up rivals besides Allaah. So, free your intention from any kind of devotion to other than Allaah. Repent and come with a sincere heart submitting to Allaah remembering what Ibraheem and his son Ismaa’eel said when they were raising the foundations of Allah’s House, the ka’bah:

“Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage – Hajj and ‘Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.”

(Baqarah 2:128)

2. You are set to depart and you may or may not return to your home. Make this journey to Allaah’s House as Allaah wants it. Think of the next journey that is surely coming, the one that leads to the meeting of Allaah, Most High. This raises questions like: What did I prepare for that Day? Am I following Allaah’s Commands? Am I a follower of the sunnah of Muhammad salAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam? Do I really know of Allaah? Am I a believer that Allaah is above the seven heavens over his ‘arsh as He has stated in His Book and as His Messengers have asserted? Am I a believer that believes Allah has a true Face that suits His Majesty as He has affirmed in the Qur’aan and as has been affirmed by His Prophet Muhammad salAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam? Am I a believer in all of Allaah’s Names, Attributes and Actions which He has affirmed in His Book and by His Messengers? Or do I just take and accept by my doubt, rejecting, or distorting the meanings of Allaah’s Attributes and Actions?

And invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Everything will perish save His Face. His is the Decision, and to Him you (all) shall be returned.

(Al-Qasas 28:88)

3. Know, may Allaah’s Mercy be upon you, that when you reach the meeqaat there is another meeqaat that is still to come. It is the meeqaat (appointed meeting) on the Day of Ressurection:

Say (O Muhammad salAllaahu ‘alayhi wasalaam): “(Yes) verily, those of old, and those of later times. All will surely be gathered together for appointed Meeting of a known Day.

(Al-Waqi’ah 56:49-50)

4. When you start the talbiyah remember the Command of Allaah ‘azza wa jall to the Prophet Ibraaheem ‘alayhi salaam:

And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj).

(Al-Hajj 22:27)

The talbiyah you make is in response to the Prophet Ibraaheem’s proclamation to visit Allaah’s house of worship. Allaah is Most Great.

5. Upon entering Makkah remember that you are in the Secure Sanctuary:

Have We not established for them a secure sanctuary (Makkah), to which are brought fruits of all kinds, a provision from Ourselves, but most of them know not.

(Al-Qasas 28:57)

Let one commit himself to repentance, having a good opinion of Allaah, hoping that Allaah will grant him security from His Punishment.

6. You will enter one of the gates of al-Masjid al-Haraam. Then there you are before the magnificent House of Allaah, Most High, the ka’bah. Now you see what you hoped to see for a long time. Thank Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala for making this possible and hope that He ‘azza wa jall will grant you the greatest reward of seeing His Majestic Face on the Day of Resurrection. This thankfulness is not just in saying “alhamdu-lillaah,” but also by obeying Allaah while on hajj and for the rest of your life.

7. You start your tawaaf knowing that it is a great time for magnifying Allaah the Exalted. Remember Him ‘azza wa jall by His Names, Attributes and Actions. Also while in tawaaf try to reflect upon the time when Prophet Muhammad salAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam was prevented from doing the same thing you are doing today. Then think about what he did in clearing out the site from the symbols signifying worship to other than Allaah! All idols were demolished. Busy yourself with du’aa. Ask Allaah, the Most Great, to make you hold to the correct belief and Path of the salaf and make you die on it. Ask Allaah to save you from all forms of shirk and bid’ah.

• Transcribed from: Hajj & Tawheed | Dr. Saleh as-Saleh rahimahullaah

8. While in sa’yi, contemplate on Haajar, the mother of Ismaa’eel, when she asked her husband Ibraaheem ‘alayhi salaam: “Did Allah order you to do this (leaving her and her baby Ismaa’eel in Makkah)? He said: “Yes.” Her great response was: “Then He (Allaah) will not neglect us!” Think about this great dependence upon Allaah when you are in the sa’yi walking the same path which Haajar took in search for water and for means of life around the mounts of Safa and Marwah. Think about her endurance, perseverance and trust in Allaah. The sa’yi exemplifies the strong belief that we are in need of One Who Sustains and Provides – Allaah, the Exalted.

Think about Ibraaheem’s invocation on his way homeward to Palestine:

O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House (the Ka’bah at Makkah); in order, O our Lord, that they may perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allah) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.

(Ibrahim 14:37)

Men and fruits came to Makkah from many places. Ibraaheem ‘alayhi salaam returned to visit and later to share with his son Ismaa’eel the noble task of raising the foundations of the ka’bah.

9. The standing on ‘Arafaat is the hajj. The crowds should remind you of the Day of Resurrection. Humble yourself to Allaah, manifest your ‘uboodiyyah to Him Alone through du’aa, sincere intention and strong determination to free yourself from the sins of the past and to build up a commitment to rush for doing what is good. Think of becoming a better person when you return. Rid yourself of false pride and showing off because it may ruin what you gain on this day.

10. You gathered the pebbles and you are about to embark on stoning the jamaraat. This is an act of obedience and remembrance of Allaah, Most Magnificent. The Prophet salAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “When you cast the small pebbles (i.e. at the jamaraat), it will be a light for you on the Day of Resurrection.” (1)

11. When performing the sacrifice remember the saying oh Allaah, the Most High:

It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him.

(Al-Hajj 22:37)

12. When you have completed your hajj, do not think that the remembrance of Allaah has ended. Listen to what Allah ‘azza wa jall says:

So when you have accomplished your Manasik [i.e. the rites of hajj] remember Allah as you remember your forefathers or with a far more remembrance.

(Al-Baqarah 2:200)

Special note: If you go to Madeenah then the objective of your visit should be according to the sunnah and not bid’ah. Your intention is to set on a journey to visit the Prophet’s mosque and not his grave. When you reach the mosque and you pray upon entering then you may go to the grave and say, “Assalamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-nabiyy.” (2) The same salaam is also mentioned when you pass by Abu Bakr and ‘Umar without innovations like:

a. Visiting the grave of the Prophet salAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam before praying in the mosque.

b. Making du’aa facing the grave.

c. Seeking nearness to Allaah by means of the Prophet salAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam. This is a prohibited form of tawassul.

d. Seeking intercession from the Prophet salAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam.

e. Placing the hands upon the grills around the room containing the Prophet’s grave to seek blessings, etc. (3)

Remember the Prophet’s salAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam sayings:

“Do not make my grave an ‘eed (place of celebration)…” (4)

“May Allaah’s curse be on the Jews and Christians for taking the graves of their Prophets as places of worship.” (5)

“Those before you took the graves of their Prophets as places of worship. Do not take graves as places of worship for verily I forbid you to do so.” (6)

13. The journey is not meant to gain any material reward. It is a selfless sacrifice solely for Allaah, Most Majestic. It demands true love and fear of Him. It should be performed with full consciousness of one’s heart, with full humility and submission to Allaah. It should not be thought of as a tourist-type excursion or be performed as mere physical rites. It develops sincerity, piety, humility, self-control, sacrifice, and true knowledge of the meaning of submission and obedience to Allaah, Most High. It helps the pilgrim to be a better person who is devoted to Allaah in every aspect of his life.

Footnotes:

(1) Reported by Al-Bazzaar in his Zawaa’id (p. 113) on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas. Al-Haafith Ibn Hajar reported that its isnaad is hasan. This hadeeth is reported by Shaykh Al-Albaani in his Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah, V.6, hedeeth #2515

(2) The position of the scholars regarding visiting the gravesites by women can be summarized as follows:

(a) Disliked but not unlawful, (b) Allowable, if done infrequently. If a woman is known as being unable to behave herself within the limits of sharee’ah at a gravesite, then she should be prevented from visiting the graves, (c) Forbidden, and (d) A grave sin

Many scholars state that women visiting the Prophet’s mosque may pronounce the salaam upon the Prophet salAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam wherever the person may be. The Prophet salAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam is in a state of barzakh (a state of existence that begins with death and lasts until the Day of Resurrection), the nature of which is only known to Allaah, Most High. [See ash-Sharhul Mumti', V.5, pp. 475-478]

3. Refer to Shaykh Al-Albaani’s book Manaasik al-Hajj wal ‘Umrah for more details.

4. Collected by Abu Daawood, [sunan Abee Daawwood (English Translation), V.2, pp. 542-543, hadeeth #2037], and Ahmad (2:367). Shaykh Al-Albaani stated its isnaad (chain of narrators) is hasan (correct). [See Tahtheer as-Saajid min Ittikhaathil Quboor Masaajid by Shaykh Muhammad Naasirud-Deen Al-Albaani (4th edition), [Beirut: al-maktab al-islaami, 1403/1983], p.97]

5. Collected by Al-Bukhari [Saheeh al-Bukhari (Arabic/English), V.2, p.232, hadeeth#414],and Muslim [Saheeh Muslim (English trans.), V.1, p.268, hadeeth #1074], Abu Daawood, At-Tirmithee, An-Nassaa’i, and Ibn Majah.

6. Saheeh Muslim, (English trans.), V.1, p. 269, hadeeth #1063

• Transcribed from: Hajj & Tawheed | Dr. Saleh as-Saleh rahimahullaah