Are You Always Tired?

There is this hadith that I would like to share with you.

I am sure it will help you especially if you are always feeling tired and lethargic.

It is the story about the Prophet’s daughter, Saydatina Fatima Az-Zahra (ra), the mother of Sayidina Hassan (ra) and Sayidina Hussein (ra) and the wife of Sayidina Ali Ibn Abu Talib (ra).

This hadith was narrated by Sayidina Ali Ibn Abu Talib (ra). He said:

“Once when I saw the great troubles and difficulties which Fatima Az-Zahra was going through in the household duties and also since I had been given the information that the Muslims had brought some war captives whice were taken as spoils of war, I said to Fatima Az-Zahra, “Why don’t you go to your father and ask him for a few slave-girls to help the chores around the house? Such a person will help you out and through this, some of your efforts and energies could be spread to someone else?”

Saydatina Fatima went to the Prophet (SAW) complaining about the bad effect of the stone hand-mill on her hand. She heard that the Prophet (SAW) had received a few slave girls. But (when she came there) she did not find him, so she mentioned her problem to Saydatina 'Aisha (ra). When the Prophet (SAW) came, 'Aisha (ra) informed him about that. Saydina 'Ali (ra) added, "So the Prophet (SAW) came to us when we had gone to bed. We wanted to get up (on his arrival) but he said, "Stay where you are." Then he came and sat between me and her and I felt the coldness of his feet on my abdomen. He said, "Shall I direct you to something better than what you have requested? When you go to bed say 'Subhan Allah' thirty-three times, 'Alhamdulillah' thirty three times, and Allahu Akbar' thirty four times, for that is better for you than a servant."

(Saheeh Bukhari Volume 7, Book 64, Number 274)

In another narration Saydina Ali added “I have never failed to recite it ever since." Somebody asked, "Even on the night of the battle of Siffin?" He said, "No, even on the night of the battle of Siffin."

(Saheeh Bukhari Volume 7, Book 64, Number 275)

According to my spiritual teacher, this hadith is the recipe if we want to be a stronger Muslim. You can derive this from the story above. The Prophet (SAW) said that the recitation of the above tasbih is greater than having helpers to help you around the house.

I was also taught to read it after prayers.

It also helps to ward of evil if Allah wills it so. I have read that it could also cure illness. I have not been taught about how the tasbih can cure illness so I am not able to explain it further. But my heart believes that it does have a curing effect as well.

Personally, I have given it a try. I try to make it a consistent thingy but being a weak servant, I forget most of the time and only remember when I am already exhausted (a wee bit too late as sleep would be the best thing to do then)

The Tasbih itself works!

Especially if you set your mind to it, and when you recite it, ask Allah to grant you more strength so that you do not be tired and lethargic. Somehow, the more conviction that you have the better its effect. I know some will say that it is mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. But hey, at least if you still feel tired and lethargic after practicing this tasbih (although it “may” be because you do not feel that it could help you), you will still be getting reward for doing Dzikr (remembering Allah). As how Abu Hurairah (ra), who said that the Prophet (SAW) said:

Allah the Almighty said in a hadith Qudsi:

“I am as My servant thinks I am.

(Another possible rendering of the Arabic is: "I am as My servant expects Me to be". The meaning is that forgiveness and acceptance of repentance by the Almighty is subject to His servant truly believing that He is forgiving and merciful. However, not to accompany such belief with right action would be to mock the Almighty)

I am with him when he makes mention of Me.

If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assemble better than it.

And if he draws near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.”

It was related by al-Buhkari (also by Muslim, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn-Majah).

How beautiful is that?

Although if you are eating some supplements, I would not suggest that you stop eating them and substitute it with this tasbih. I am no spiritual teacher nor am a physician. I am just a student learning the teachings of the Prophet (SAW) and hoping to share with you its benefits.

So here’s to a healthier life!

Blog adjourned.