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Prayers and Qunoot for Libyans and the Oppressed

prayingThese days, innocent and helpless people of Libya and other countries are facing inhuman and brutal crimes at the hands of corrupt and oppressive leaders and regimes. Dictators and corrupt rulers of these countries are severely attacking people’s lives, honor, and properties.

As of Feb. 21, the International Coalition Against War Criminals has reported 519 peaceful protesters dead, 3980 injured, and 1500 missing in Libya. Reports from eyewitnesses, despite the state-enforced media blackout, speak of hundreds being killed in just a few days.

This is more than enough reason for us to stand with our hands raised in the night and to make Qunoot, praying for the safety, victory, and liberation of the Libyan people. As we all recognize that the entire region is erupting with similar struggles, we should include them in our du`aa’ (prayers) as well.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) described our ummah (Muslim community) as a single body which ails as a whole when a part of it is afflicted. So, it is our established duty to feel this pain, and respond to it.

Let’s all hurry to earnestly make du`aa’ to Allah, particularly in the good times where du`aa’ will be answered by Almighty Allah, to help the oppressed people and end their suffering.

Du`aa’ on the time of breaking one’s fasting will be answered by Allah’s grace and favor. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “A fasting person, upon breaking his fast, has a supplication that will not be rejected.” Therefore, those who are observing optional fasting—on Mondays, Thursdays, and other recommended days for fasting—should remember their fellow brothers and sisters who are suffering in Libya and other countries of the world.

Moreover, we should recite Qunoot An-Nazilah. This is the kind of special prayer recommended in time of calamities and tragedies. As a community we must close our ranks and pray from our hearts for the brothers and sisters who are suffering most terribly; it is our duty to pray to Allah to grant them victory and relief. Qunoot An-Nazilah can be recited both individually and collectively in Prayers.

There are two valid ways of reciting Qunoot; it must be done in the last rak`ah, either before going to ruku` after finishing the recitation or after rising from ruku` and saying “rabbanaa laka al-hamdu”, and prior to going to prostration; both are perfectly valid options.

Qunoot An-Nazilah has no specific wordings. Here is a sample of Qunoot An-Nazilah in transliteration:

“Allaahumma innaa nasta`eenubika wa nastaghfiruka

Wa nu’minu bika wa nuthnee `alayka

Wa nakfuru wa naturuku man yafjuruka

Allaahumma iyyaaka na`budu walaka nusallee wa nasjudu

Wa ilayka nas`aa wa nahfidu

Narjoo rahmataka wa nakshaa `adhaabaka

Inna `adhaabaka al-jidda bi al-kuffaari mulhiq

Allahumma `alayka bi al-mu`tadeena al-mujrimeena

Alladheena istabaahoo al-hurumaati wa qataloo wa sharradoo al-mustadh`afeen,

Allaahuma innahum laa yu`jizoonaka

Allaahumma rabba al-mustadh`afeen

Unsur al-mustadh`afeen (three times)

Allaahumma arinaa feehim `ajaa’iba qudratika Allaahumma ij`al tadbeerahum tadmeeran alayhim

Wa ij`al jundahum jundan `alayhim

Wa ij`al sijnahum sijnan `alayhim

Allaahumma unsur al-mustadh`afeen fee kulli makaani (three times)

Allaahumma unsurhum nasran mu’azzaran (three times)

Alllaahumm irham ummata Muhammad (three times)

Allaahumm farrij `an ummati Muhammadin (three times)

Allaahumma yaa muqalliba al-qulooba thabbit quloobanaa `alaa al-haqq

Allaahumma ij`alnaa hadeen muhtadeen

Allaahumma salli wa sallim `ala nabiyyika wa rasoolika Muhammadin wa `alaa aalihi wa sahbihee ajma`een.”

(O Allah, We seek Your help; we beseech Your forgiveness.

We affirm our faith in You; we praise You.

We reject and abandon everyone who forsakes You.

O Allah, You alone do we worship; unto You alone we pray, and before You alone we prostrate in worship.

Unto You alone we strive and implore.

We cherish hope in Your mercy; we fear Your chastisement.

Most certainly, Your stern punishment will overtake those who reject the truth.

O Allah, we ask Your help against the aggressive oppressors who have committed crimes (against the oppressed), who have violated the sanctities, and killed, and dispersed the oppressed.

O Allah, they cannot overwhelm You.

O Allah, You who are the Lord of the oppressed, Help the oppressed (against their oppressors).

O Allah, show us Your miraculous powers in dealing with them (i.e. the aggressors).

O Allah, make their plans a plan for their destruction.

Make their armies a source of their own defeat.

Make their prison a prison for them.

O Allah, help the oppressed against the oppressors in all parts of the world.

O Allah, have mercy on the Ummah of Muhammad.

O Allah, bring relief to the Ummah of Muhammad.

O Allah, You are the twister of hearts, make our feet steadfast on the path of truth.

O Allah, make us all guides unto truth and make us rightly guided.

O Allah, bless and send peace on Your Prophet and Messenger Muhammad and his entire family and Companions.)

By Dr. Wael Shihab
Source: OnIslam