The Prophet’s dua at Ta’if

By Zakiyah Arouj Khan


A gentle reminder to those who think they may have it bad; the best of all creation sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam had it worse. Yet, he sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam always was, is and forever will be, the most beloved to Allah and the Dua’a at Ta’if affirms why. 

In the year in which two of the most closest and dearest to the Prophet sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam had passed away, his wife Khadija radiAllahu anha and uncle Abu Talib, the Prophet sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam underwent what could be considered the lowest point of his life.  With no longer having the tribe of Quraysh as protection or support in his mission, he struggled as he travelled to Ta’if seeking its leaders, hoping that they would accept Islam and help him. However, they proved to be even more vociferous than the Quraysh. He sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam was set upon by the slaves and children of Ta’if with stones, he ran, his feet cut and bleeding into a garden where he sought refuge within its walls. Taking shelter under a tree he turned to his Lord for ease and guidance with this beautiful dua: 

“O Allah! Unto You do I complain of my weakness, of my helplessness and of my lowliness before men.  O most Merciful of the merciful. O Lord of the weak and my Lord too. Into whose hands have you entrusted me?  Unto some far off stranger who receives me with hostility? Or unto a foe whom you have empowered against me? I care not, so long as You are not angry with me.  But Your favouring help, that were for me the broader way and the wider scope.  I take refuge in the light of Your countenance whereby all darknesses are illuminated and all things of this world and the next are rightly ordered, lest You make descend Your anger upon me or lest Your wrath beset me. Yet it is Yours to reproach until You are well pleased. There is no power and no might except through Thee.”

Whilst under immense heartache and pain his only concern was that His Lord was not angry with him. This was the haal (state) of our Prophet sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam. May we too attain such states in times of tribulation. Ameen

© Zakiyah Arouj Khan, Rabi’ al-Awwal 1433/February 2012