It was reported in the Sunnah some Adhkar (invocations and Remembrances said at certain times on a regular basis) and invocations which a Muslim should say upon encountering an enemy or an oppressive ruler. These invocations are for seeking the help of Allah and relying on Him to protect them from their evil, make them safe, and preserve a person from the cunning and wickedness of enemies; truly Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) is the protector for those who resort to Him and the Sufficient for those who seek His protection because all affairs are in His Hands, and there is no creature but He has control over it.

Of the Adhkar that were reported in the Sunnah upon encountering an enemy is the Hadith that was reported by Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhy, and others on the authority of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: "When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) went on an expedition, he said: "Allahumma Anta `Adudy Wanasiry, Bika Ahul, Wabika Asul, Wabika Uqatil" [O Allah, You are my Supporter and my Helper, With Your help I get strength, by You I attack, and by You I fight]." [Sunan Abu Dawud No. 2632, and At-Tirmidhy No. 3584, and Al Albany (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) graded it as authentic. in Sahih Al Jami` No. 4757].

As for his saying: "Allahumma Anta `Adudy," i.e., You are My Helper, so there is no one can help me or provide me aid but You, from You alone I seek help, and to You only I flee.

As for his saying: "Wa Nasiry," i.e., no one can provide me victory but You, and whomever Allah provides victory, no one can defeat as Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "If Allâh helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in Allâh (Alone) let believers put their trust." [Surat Ali `Imran: 160].

As for his saying: "Bika Ahul," i.e., there is no might nor strength for me save in You, and I do not have the power to push away evil or bring about goodness but in You.

As for his saying: "Wabika Asul," i.e., attack my enemies.

As for his saying: "Wabika Uqatil," i.e., by Your Help I fight my enemy.

From the invocations reported in this regard is the Hadith that was reported by Abu Dawud on the authority of Abu Musa Al Ash`ary (may Allah be pleased with him) who said When the Prophet (peace be upon him) feared a (group of) people, he said: " Allahumma Inna Naj`aluka Fi Nuhurihim wa Na`udhu Bika Min Shururihim [O Allah! We put You in front of them, and seek refuge in You from their evils]." [Sunan Abu Dawud No. 1537, and Al Albany (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) graded it as authentic in Sahih Al Jami` No. 4706].

As for his saying: "Allahumma Inna Naj`aluka Fi Nuhurihim," i.e., we put You in front of them to be our protector, defender, and barrier between them and us so that they would not harm us. The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned Nuhurihim (i.e., chests) because enemies attack with their chests, and perhaps the word Nuhurihim (which also the plural form of Nahr i.e., killing) bears a glad tidings for Muslims to kill them at the last one by the help of Allah.

As for his saying: "Wana`udhu Bika Min Shururihim," i.e., we seek refuge in You from their evil, for You are the one who directs away their evils, protects us, and a barrier between them and us.

From the permissible invocations to be said in this regard also is "Hasbuna Allahu Wa Ni`ma Al Wakil" [Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)]. It was reported in Sahih Al Bukhari on the authority of `Abdullah ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: "Hasbuna Allahu Wa Ni`ma Al Wakil” was said by Abraham when he was thrown into fire; and it was said by Muhammad (peace be upon him) when they (i.e. hypocrites) said: A great army is gathering against you, therefore, fear them, but it only increased their faith and they said: Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer (of affairs, for us). [Surat Ali `Imran: 173]." [Sahih Al Bukhari, No. 4563].

The meaning of "Hasbuna Allah" is: Allah is all-Sufficient for us from anything that may concern us. So, we do not depend or rely on anyone but He, as Allah (He may be Glorified) says: "And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him." [Surat At-Talaq: 3] i.e., He will suffice him as He says: "Is not Allâh Sufficient for His slave?" [Surat Az-Zumar: 36].

As for his saying: "Wa Ni`ma Al Wakil," i.e., Allah is the best one we can depend on in bringing about goodness and pushing away harm and afflictions as He (may He be Exalted) says: "And hold fast to Allâh [i.e. have confidence in Allâh, and depend upon Him in all your affairs]. He is your Maulâ (Patron, Lord), what an Excellent Maulâ (Patron, Lord) and what an Excellent Helper!" [Surat Al Anfal: 40].

This great phrase “Hasbuna Allah wa Ni`ma Al Wakil” included: reliance and depending on Allah, and resorting to Him, for this the only way for human glory, safety, and security.

Ibn Al Qayyim (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) said: He suffices anyone relies on Him, sufficient for anyone resorts to Him, and He is the one who secures the afraid and protects the one who seeks protection, and He is the Excellent Lord and the Excellent Helper. Whoever seeks His Power and Help, depends on Him, and returns to Him shall be in His Protection, perseverance, and guardianship. And whoever fears Him shall be secure of His Punishment and shall gain every goodness he needs "And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). * And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him." [Surat At-Talaq: 2 - 3]. So, do not rush His Help, sustenance, and good health for Allah shall achieve His Objectives by setting a measure for everything and that measure will not advance nor delay. [Bada'i` Al Fawa'id: 2/237 - 238]. The previous invocation includes a reference for the greatness of this phrase "Hasbuna Allah" and shows that it was the phrase of Abraham and Muhammad peace be upon them in adversities.

Abraham (peace be upon him) confuted the claims of his people by clear and hard evidence, and explained that the only one deserved to be worshipped is Allah, and that the god which they worship besides Him are just idols that do not have the power to bring about goodness or push away harm, he said: "Do you then worship besides Allâh, things that can neither profit you, nor harm you?* Fie upon you, and upon that which you worship besides Allâh! Have you then no sense?"

[Surat Al Anbiya': 66 - 67]. When he refuted their claims and they did not have the evidence to reply, they resorted to the use of force: "They said: Burn him and help your âlihah (gods), if you will be doing." [Surat Al Anbiya': 68]. These words indicate their lack of proofs and evidence, and the foolishness of their minds; how could they admit that the one they worship needs their help?! When they lighted a great fire and threw Abraham (peace be upon him) into it to kill him by the worst manner, he said: "Hasbuna Allahu Wa Ni`ma Al Wakil" [Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)]. Thereupon, Allah provided victory to His Prophet and said to the fire: "O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrâhîm (Abraham)!" [Surat Al Anbiya': 69]. Instantly, fire became cool and safe for him and was not harmed by fire. As for Muhammad (peace be upon him), he said it when the people said: "Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them." [Surat Al `Imran: 173].

After the Battle of Uhud, news came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that Abu Sufyan and the polytheists gathered an army to attack Muslims, so the Prophet (peace be upon him) came out with his Companions until they reached Hamra' Al Asad [a place 3 kilometers away from Medina], and Allah cast horror in the heart of Abu Sufyan when he heard the news. Thereupon, Abu Sufyan returned to Makkah and passed by a caravan from `Abd Qays tribe and asked them: Where are you heading? They said to Medina. He said: Would you deliver a message to Muhammad on my behalf? They said: Yes. He said: When you meet him say to him that we made up our minds to march to him and to his Companions to eradicate them [he wanted to scare them]. Then the caravan passed by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) while camping at Hamra' Al Asad and delivered to him the message of Abu Sufyan and his friends. He said: "Hasbuna Allahu Wa Ni`ma Al Wakil" [Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)]. [Surat Al `Imran: 173]. Their faith and trust in Allah increased and returned to Medina without being harmed, unlike the polytheists who returned while their hearts are full of fear and horror.

Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "Those who answered (the Call of) Allâh and the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him) after being wounded; for those of them who did good deeds and feared Allâh, there is a great reward. * Those (i.e. believers) to whom the people (hypocrites) said, "Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them." But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: "Allâh (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us). * So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allâh. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allâh. And Allâh is the Owner of Great Bounty." [Surat Al `Imran: 172 - 174].

The benefit is: Reliance on Allah is one of the greatest causes of obtaining goodness and warding off evil in this world and in the Hereafter. [See: Taysir Al `Aziz Al Hamid, p. 502 - 505].

Add comment