TO ALLAH IS OUR RETURN

TO ALLAH IS OUR RETURN

The Ayah and it’s Meaning

Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi Raji’un — “To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:156)

The translation of the verses mentioned before and after this ayah is (Surah Al Baqarah):

2:155  “Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere (As-Sabirin),”

2:156  “Who say, when afflicted with calamity: “To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return”:-“

2:157  “They are those on whom (descend) blessings from their Lord, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.”

When do we recite this ayah?

A prevalent perception in our society is that the words “Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi Raji’un” are only recited at the time of someone’s death. However, this perception is not correct. This ayah is to be said in cases where a person has suffered any kind of loss, be it the death of a person (Muslim or non-Muslim) or any living creature, loss of wealth or property, deterioration of health, etc.

There is one Hadith where the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is quoted to have said “Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi Raji’un” when the lamp went off at night. ‘Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) asked him, “O Messenger of Allah. Is this also a calamity?” Allah’s Messenger replied, “Yes. Whatever hurts or causes difficulty to a Muslim is a calamity and on bearing it patiently, it carries Allah’s promise of reward.”

The Virtues of reciting the Ayah

As mentioned before, Allah asks us to be those who are patient (As-Sabirun) during calamities by reciting the ayah “Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi Raji’un”. In the very next ayah Allah tells us of the reward for this practice:

“They are those on whom (descend) blessings from their Lord, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:157)

Umm Salama, the wife of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him), reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: “If any servant (of Allah) who suffers a calamity says: “we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return; O Allah, reward me for my affliction and give me something better than it in exchange for it,” ‘Allah will give him reward for affliction, and would give him something better than it in exchange. She (Umm Salama) said: When Abu Salama died. I uttered (these very words) as I was commanded (to do) by the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). So Allah gave me better in exchange than him. i. e. (I was taken as the wife of) the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him).” (Sahih Muslim, Book #004, Hadith #2000)

Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah), who could be a better husband than the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?

It is narrated in the Hadith that the Messenger of Allah said: “When a man’s child dies, Allah, may He be exalted, says to His angels: ‘Have you taken the soul of the child of My slave?’ They say, ‘Yes.’ He says, although He knows best, ‘Have you taken the apple of his eye?’ They say, ‘Yes.’ He says: ‘What did My slave say?” They say: ‘He praised You and said “Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi Raji’un” (“To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return”).’ Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says: ‘Build a house for My slave in Paradise and call it the house of praise.’” [Narrated and classed as good Hadith by Al Tirmidhi]

A Reminder

“Who say, when afflicted with calamity: “To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return”:-“ (Surah Al Baqarah 2:156)

This ayah reminds us that whatever is in this world belongs to Allah and is a Blessing from Him. If, for example, a person had given some money as loan to his friend for some time and now he wants the money back. Is the person doing anything wrong in wanting back his own money? Similarly when a person dies, Allah is only taking back the soul of His creation. By reciting this ayah at the time of someone’s death, we remind ourselves that the creation has returned to his Creator. We also should bear in mind that just as the departed soul we ourselves will one day return to our Lord and be answerable for our deeds on the Day of Judgment before our entry into Paradise (Allah willing) or the Hellfire. With this in mind we should always strive to attain Allah’s Mercy, for no one but Allah knows the appointed time of death.

In a Hadith, Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) says, “How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity comes to him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him.” (Muslim)

JAZAKALLAH!!!