Dua Makarimul Akhlaq
The writer, Zishaan E Fatima Karim is a writer and a poet, passionate about making a difference and believes in beginning at the roots. She has a Montessori Diploma in Early Childhood Education and 4 decades’ experience in teaching as a Madrasah teacher. She also writes children’s stories and creates comic strips & video stories for little children. She facilitates Teaching Skills Practice programs under the MCE of WF and Leadership and Mentorship Development Programs under CBG of AFed. “Small changes by many people equals a Big Change,” is her motto. With that, she anticipates the reappearance of Al Hujjah (atfs) and wishes to be a part of his system of governance.
A
nd all things similar –
Ø a speech in praise of You,
Ø a pursual of eulogizing You,
Ø an excursion in magnifying You,
Ø a thanksgiving for Your favour,
Ø an acknowledgement of Your beneficence,
Ø and an enumeration of Your kindnesses!
– Dua Makarimul Akhlaq
After highlighting all the vices that one is capable of committing, using the tongue, Imam Sajjad (as) suggests ways of making use of this blessing of Allah (swt) in an appropriate manner, hence show gratitude for it.
The tongue is a beast; if it is let loose, it devours.
Saying 60, Nahjul Balagha
If the tongue is allowed to be conquered by the ‘throws’ of Shaitan, it leads to personal as well as social harm. However, if I am conscious of the fact that it is one of the great blessings of Allah (swt), regardless of its size and apparent significance, it would befit me to use these days of reformation and strengthening of my willpower to ponder over the best use and follow the laid out guidelines by Imam Sajjad (as).
Saying 330, Nahjul Balagha
The least right of Allah on you is that you should not make use of His favours in committing His sins.
Surely Allah and His angels bless the Prophet; O you who believe! call for (Divine) blessings on him and salute him with a (becoming) salutation.
Surah Al-Ahzab, Verse 56
Some questions that come to mind:
1. If Allah (swt) confirms in the verse above, that He blesses them, why am I asking Him to do something He is already doing?
2. Are they already not conferred with sufficient blessings?
3. How does my dua for blessings upon them be of merit?
4. Why is it highly recommended to recite Salawaat?
5. Why does Imam Sajjad (as) send blessings so many times throughout the Saheefa?
7. Why are there salawaat after every paragraph in this Du’a?
Some probable answers…
1. One act that we do, that is similar to Allah (swt)
2. I am also confirming back that I am following His Divine command.
3. Salawaat is a definitely accepted Dua.
4. Sandwich effect- If I sandwich my dua between salawaat, Allah will not leave out my dua and accept only the Salawaat.
5. Imam Sajjad (as) was at a time where people had just butchered an Imam. They had forgotten the value of the Aal of the Prophet (saww). The salawaat emphasizes their role in the existence of creation.
6. This Du’a enlightens on Noble Traits and the Ahul Bayt (as) are the most perfect examples for these traits. A salawaat reminds me that if they could do it, I can too.
7. Since they are blessed just like a glass is filled to the brim, when I send salawaat upon them, the blessings overflow on me just as would in an overfilled glass poured upon with added liquid. I yearn for that liquid as it touches the glass before overflowing on me…
With the barakah of Salawaat, we continue our reflective journey. Hoping for forgiveness from the Almighty, I stretch my hand to the reader too, to excuse my shortcomings and forgive my lapses.
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