By Raqib Akinyemi

The primary duty of government is to ensure that security of lives of the citizens are protected and guaranteed under the law. The government is believed, required and expected to put a lot of energy therein to ensure the security of lives and property are guaranteed.

With recent attacks in Nigeria, the terrorists have the intrepidity to threaten the sitting President and a Governor of attack. We see reports of a series of attacks on some communities and persons which leave us pondering where is the way out?

At this critical time in our dear Nation, Nigeria, it is evident the only Being that can save us is God Almighty. Do not misunderstand me, that we as humans and government should not do the needful to restore peace to the land.

However, with these current challenges, it is the time we should be more submissive to Allah the Almighty and pray to Him to save us from the insurgencies and save our country from the people who cause mischief and chaos. We should preach peace. Whichever society we live in, people should point at us and say these are those who are steadfast in their faith and are the special servants of Allah the Almighty; and who remember the duties of man to Allah the Almighty, are none other than the Muslims. That they are those who live in harmony and peace with their neighbours; and regardless of religion and despite differences of ideologies, can act with justice; and must be the source of establishing world peace.

Currently, when the country is in turmoil, the responsibility is even greater. Everyone is only concerned with his own self and there is no one to look after others.

It is required that everyone be more security conscious, ensure we are safe as individuals and as a group. As Muslims, it is important to remind ourselves that everything happens by the will and wisdom of Allah the Almighty. When faced with trials and adversities, our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW prayed to Allah the Almighty through constant invocations with the language of love and servanthood.

We can find many prophetic traditions that teach us what to pray and some guidelines on how to pray to protect ourselves, family members and loved ones. Some of these prayers are encouraged to be done routinely in the morning and afternoon, emphasizing the significance and benefits of such discipline.

Accordingly, we have been advised by our religious leaders to strengthen our faith in these difficult times and to increase our prayers and supplications to Allah the Almighty, on top of taking preventive measures to help contain this situation, including being vigilant.
The beautiful thing is that Allah the Almighty has promised to respond to our call upon Him.

وَقالَ رَبُّكُمُ اُدعُونِي أَستَجِب لَكُم
Your Lord has proclaimed, “Call upon Me, I will respond to you”
(Surah Ghafir, 40:61)

In situations like this, and others in general, Islam teaches us to stay in control by hanging on to the Mercy and Grace of Allah. I will mention a few narrations or supplications as taught by the noblest of mankind, Muhammad SAW, which, if we take them as customs, we will be saved from all evils.

As humans, we must seek from God Almighty whatever we want; as believers, we must believe in Him and that He will answer us.

Some of the Traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW:

 Narrated Abu Hurairah: That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever recites Ha Mim Al-Mu’min – up to – To Him is the return (40:1-3) and Ayat Al-Kursi when he reaches (gets up in) the morning, he will be protected by them until the evening. And whoever recites them when he reaches the evening, he will be protected by them until the morning.”
Jami` at-Tirmidhi Vol. 5, Book 42, Hadith 2879

 It is narrated from the Prophet Whosoever recites Surah Ad-Dukhan all of it, and the beginning of Ha Mim Al-Mu’min (Surah Ghafir) till the verse Ilayhil Maseer (40:3) and Aayat Al-Kursi (2:255) in the evening, he is protected till he rises in the morning, and whoever recites them in the morning he is protected until evening.
(At-Targhib wat-Tarhib 390)

 Dua (supplication) for protection against every kind of harm

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

Bismillahil-lazi la yadhurru ma’asmiHi shai’un fil ardhi wa la fis-sama’i wa Huwas-Sami’ul ‘Aleem

In the Name of Allah with Whose Name, there is protection against every kind of harm in the earth or in heaven, and He is All-Hearing and All-Knowing
(Sunan Abi Daud)

 Dua for total protection

اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِي مِنْ بَينِ يَدَيَّ, وَمِنْ خَلْفِي, وَعَنْ يَمِينِي, وَعَنْ شِمَالِي وَمِنْ فَوْقِي, وَأَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَتِكَ أَن أُغْتَالَ مِنْ تَحْتِي

Allahummah-fazni min baini yadaiya, wa min khalfi, wa ‘an yameeni, wa ‘an shimali wa min fauqi, wa a’uzu bi’azomatika an ughtala min tahti

O Allah protect me from my front, behind me, from my right and my left, and from above me, and I seek refuge in Your Magnificence from being taken unaware from beneath me
(Sunan Ibn Majah)

 Dua after Leaving the House

Narrated by Anas bin Malik r.a, The Messenger of Allah s.a.w. said:

من قالَ يَعني إذا خرجَ من بيتِهِ: بِسمِ اللَّهِ، توَكَّلتُ على اللَّهِ، لا حَولَ ولا قوَّةَ إلَّا باللَّهِ، يقالُ لَهُ: كُفيتَ، ووُقيتَ، وتنحَّى عنهُ الشَّيطانُ

Bismillah, tawakkaltu ‘alAllah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah

“Whoever says (upon leaving his house): “In the Name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, there is no might or power except by Allah”,’it will be said to him: ‘You have been sufficed and protected, and the devil will go far away from him”.
(Sunan At-Tirmizi)

 Seek For Forgiveness
There are also times when we face trials during traveling. The best of remembrance (Zikr) is to ask for forgiveness (Istighfar) from Allah the Almighty for our sins or shortcomings.

Abdullah bin Abbas r.a. narrates that Prophet Muhammad SAW stated:

مَنْ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مِنْ كُلِّ هَمٍّ فَرَجًا وَمِنْ كُلِّ ضِيقٍ مَخْرَجًا وَرَزَقَهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ

Whoever increases his prayers for forgiveness (i.e. istighfaar), Allah will grant him relief from every worry, a way out from every hardship, and provide for him in ways he does not expect.
(Musnad Ahmad)

The Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW as the best exemplary being, in the history of mankind, has guided us to always pray in seeking protection from Allah the Almighty. It is my belief, that being regular with these prayers will bring succor and victory to us all against the evils in the land.

We pray that Allah the Almighty keeps us safe from the challenges and trials of life.

Mr. Raqib Akinyemi is currently serving as the National President, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Nigeria (Ahmadi Muslim Youth Organization).