Day 22 Ramadhan - Step 25

Day 22 #Ramadhan - Step 25 -  Sufi Secrets & Gems by ~Sajad Ali~

***Istaghfaar*** Taqwa-(fear of Allah, to guard from sins) is increased through Tawba-Repentance and Tawba-Repentance is increased by making the tongue very moist with dhikr of (istaghfaar)- saying "Astaghfiruallah" and Istaghfaar reduces sins and increases Rizq and opens the doors for a way out from difficulties, anxieties until only tranquillity and happiness and descends into the heart and soul.

“And whoever fears Allah, for him Allah brings forth a way out, and gives him provision (rizq) from where he does not even imagine…” (65: 2-3)

**Rizq is a deep word that means more the provision**

Rizq is everything to do with spending on your 2 'aql-(knowledge) brain and heart and 2 nafs-(egos) stomach and private parts, thus all 'ilm-knowledge is Rizq, your spouse (husband or wife) your children and family your job your home or properties is all Rizq the food you eat from home, buy are invited to eat are your Rizq.

And finally its what of all that you actually consume-(use) that is (your rizq) not what isn't used (example a home with 8 rooms which only 3 are used but the other 5 are guest rooms, so 3 are your Rizq) so if you don't consume it with your brain or heart for 'ilm food or private parts for ego house or objects for your body its not part of your Rizq or Qadr even so its in your obsession.

The best of you are repents even if your break your promise 1000 times always turn back to Allah.

A lady who had to provide for her children and asked the shaykh "Ya shaykh i'm so poor i cannot feed my children properly, what should i do?"

The shaykh responded by saying - Do istighfar, in all of your affairs, all the time, working or resting, sitting or standing. So the lady did istighfar (saying Astaghfirullah, or Astaghfirullah wa atubu ilaih) to the extent it reached 1000s of times a day... the lady comes back literally some time after and told the shaykh she took his advice, and Allah blessed her with wealth from a place she never imagined.

***A story about Istighfar***

This story about “Istighfar” is from the life of Imam Ahmed Bin Hanbal, who is considered as a renowned scholar of Islam and a famous theologian. During his old age, while Imam Ahmed was travelling he stopped by a town. After the prayers, he wanted to stay for the night in the masjid yard because he didn’t know anyone in the town.

Owing to his humility, he hadn’t introduced himself to anyone thinking that if he did, he would be welcomed by many people.

Failing to recognize Ahmed bin Hanbal, the caretaker of the mosque refused to let him stay in the mosque. As Imam Ahmed was quite old, the caretaker had to drag him out of the mosque.

On seeing this, a baker from a nearby place felt pity for this man (Imam Ahmed) and offered to be the host to him for the night. During his stay with the baker,

Imam Ahmed observed that the baker would constantly recite Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah). Imam Ahmed asked the baker if the constant practice of saying Istighfar had any effect on him.

The baker responded by telling Imam Ahmed that Allah had accepted all of his duas (supplications), except one. When he asked him what dua was it that hadn’t been accepted, the baker replied that he had been asking Allah to provide him the privilege to meet the famous scholar Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal.

On this, Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal said that Allah had not only listened to his dua but had dragged him onto his (the baker’s) doorsteps.