Hasbunallahu Wa Ni'mal Wakil, Wa Ni'mal Maula Wa Ni'man Nasir!

By

Imam Murtadha Gusau

Saturday, February 23, 2019

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Grantor of Mercy

Indeed, all praise is due to Allah, we praise Him, we seek His aid, and we ask for His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our actions and from the evil consequences of our actions. Whoever Allah guides, there is none to misguide, and whoever Allah misguides there is none to guide. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the servant and Messenger of Allah.

Respected brothers and sisters! Today I would like to discuss on one of the most inspiring and powerful verses of the glorious Qur’an: Hasbunallahu Wa Ni’mal Wakil. Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs for us. What an Excellent Guardian and Protector He is!

Let me ask, please among us who doesn’t need help, care, protection and victory?

Who doesn’t feel weak, over-powered by difficulties and enemies, stress and worries?

In their quest for peace and tranquility, some affluent sections of society resort to sleeping pills, drugs and what not.

Poor curse their miseries and desire that they become rich.

They say grass appears greener on the other side!

But strange is the way of a true and sincere Muslim!

Here there is no question of the grass getting dry. His side of the grass is always greener. Subhanallah!

The roots of this amazing grass are strong and deep. They are being continuously fed with the waters of Iman.

Willing submission to the Master, the very Controller of all affairs, wallahi keeps the grass ever green.

Don’t you find the presence of amazing dew drops on this amazing grass?

The dew drops of Contentment, Hope, Trust, Willingness to submit to the decree of Almighty Lord?

These dew drops in the life of a Muslim contain miraculous elements to keep the grass greener even in the most harshest and cruelest of life’s climates!

Dear brothers and sisters! Please, read and reflect over this beautiful Hadith:

Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: 

"When Prophet Ibrahim alaihis salam was thrown into the fire, he said: “Hasbunallahu Wa Ni'mal Wakil, Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and, He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” So did Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), when he was told: “A great army of the pagans had gathered against him, so fear them.” But this (warning) only increased him and the Muslims in Faith and they said: “Hasbunallahu Wa Ni'mal Wakil, Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).” [Al-Bukhari]

When Prophet Ibrahim alaihis salam was thrown in the fire by those who thought that they had power over all things, he made a supplication the effect of which made the world sit up and watch in amazement!

Fire getting cool! It could not burn even a hair of Prophet Ibrahim, Peace be upon him!

Dear brothers and sisters! This is the effect of saying: Hasbunallahu Wa Ni’mal Wakil! Allah (alone) is Sufficient for us, and what an Excellent Guardian He is! He is the Best Disposar of affairs!

In a seemingly overpowering situation, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and his great Companions declared that Allah is Sufficient for Help and Solace and that He is the Best Disposar of affairs for us!

"When people said to them: Behold, a host has gathered around you and you should fear them’, it only increased their faith and they answered: ‘Allah is Sufficient for us; and what an excellent Guardian He is!" [Surah Al-Imran: 173]

During the course of his Da’awah, when he encountered rejection from some people, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), was commanded by Allah to say: 

"Hasbiyallahu la ilaha illa huwa, alaihi tawakkaltu wa huwa rabbul arshil adhim."

Meaning:

"Yet, if they should turn away, then tell them: “Allah is sufficient for me; there is no true god but He. In Him I have put my trust. He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.” [Surah Tawbah: 129]

When his Companions got scared of the coming of the Day of Judgement, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) instructed them to recite: Hasbunallahu Wa Ni’mal Wakil.

Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: Messenger of Allah said: 

“How can I feel at ease when the Angel of the Trumpet (Israfil) has put his lips to the Trumpet and is waiting for the order to blow it.” 

He (the Prophet) perceived as if this had shocked his Companions, so he told them to seek comfort through reciting: Hasbunallahu wa Ni’mal-Wakil [Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)].

In the event of fear and anxiety one should seek the help of Allah and frequently recite this verse of the glorious Qur’an:

“Hasbunallahu wa Ni’mal Wakil, Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).” [Qur'an, 3:173]

If you ask them: 

“Who created the heavens and the earth?” they will surely answer: “Allah.” Tell them: “What do you think, then, of the deities whom you call upon instead of Allah? If Allah should will that an affliction befall me, will those deities remove the harm inflicted by Him? Or if Allah should will that I receive (His) Mercy, will they be able to withhold His Mercy from me?” Say: “Allah is sufficient for me; those who have to put their trust, let them put their trust in Him." [Surah Az-Zumar: 38]

A true and sincere Muslim understands very well that Allah alone is the Bestower and Withholder of Mercy, and He alone is the Remover of Harm and Affliction. Therefore reciting Hasbunallahu Wa Ni'mal Wakil provides the healing touch that is very much necessary in one’s life.

By putting one’s complete Trust in Allah, by calling Him, by leaving matters unto Him, by seeking only His grace and mercy, by accepting His decree, by submitting to His Will – a Muslim can equip oneself to face the challenges of life.

And this one single verse Hasbunallahu Wa Ni’mal Wakil is a source of all strength and all comfort!

So let us make it a point to recite this in the morning and evening. Day and night. On and off. Once. Twice. A hundred times. A thousand times. As much as possible.

Allah the Almighty says:

“…He who fears Allah, He will find a way out for him, and will provide him sustenance from whence he never even imagined. Whoever puts his trust in Allah, He shall suffice him. Surely Allah brings about what He decrees; Allah has set a measure for everything.” [Surah At-Talaq: 2-3]

May Allah give us the guidance to follow His path until our last breath. Ameen.

* Wa Ni’mal Maula Wa Ni’man Nasir!

This statement is generally said immediately after yet another most inspiring statement: Hasbunallahu Wa Ni’mal Wakil!

Hasbunallahu Wa Ni’mal Wakil, Wa Ni’mal Maula Wa Ni’man Nasir!

These two phrases/statements are mentioned separately in different Surahs in the noble Qur’an. The meaning and the context of these two statements are so striking that we notice many among Muslims uttering and proclaiming them together. While it is not ‘a must’ to say them together, yet the miraculous beauty of the Qur’anic words weaves a tapestry in the canvas of one’s mind! Subhanallah!

The word ﻣﻮﻟﻰ (Maula) comes from the Arabic root ﻭ ﻝ ﻱ (w-l-y) which means: to be near, be close, lie next, to adjoin, be adjacent, to border, to be a friend, to back up, to take control, helper, backer, guardian, benefactor, patron, companion, partner.

From the same root comes the word ﻭﻟﻲ (waliy) which means: near, adjacent, helper, supporter, benefactor, sponsor, friend, close associate, relative, patron, protector, ally.

In Surah al-An'am, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is commanded to ask the unbelievers:

"Say: Shall I take for my guardian anyone other than Allah – the Originator of the heavens and earth…” [Surah al-An'am 6: 14]

In the verse next to the Ayatul kursi in Surah al-Baqarah, Allah says that He is the Waliy of those who believe in Him:

“Allah is the Helper and Protector of those who believe in Him: He brings them out of the depths of darkness into the light. As for the disbelievers, they have taghut as their patron, who drives them out of light into the depths of darkness. These are the people who are doomed to the Fire, wherein they shall live for ever.” [Surah al-Baqarah 2: 257]

Allah, therefore, is Al-Waliy, the Protector, the Ally, the Helper

“He is the One Who sends down the rain after they despair of it, spreading out His Mercy. He is the Protector, the Immensely Praiseworthy.” [Surah Ash-Shura: 42: 28]

Waaliy is another word that comes from the same root as of Waliy and Maula. It means ‘protector, guardian, supporter, ally.’

Allah the Most High says:

“Apart from Him, they have no protector.” [Surah Ar-Ra’ad 13: 11]

In Surah Ali-Imran, in addition to the word ‘Waliy’, an interesting word – ﺃَﻭْﻟَﻰ – which means ‘more entitled, worthier, more deserving, more appropriate, more suitable, more adequate – coming from the same root as of Maula and Waliy, is used in the context of one’s close relationship with Prophet Ibrahim, Alaihis Salam:

“Surely the people who have the best claim to a relationship with Ibrahim are those who followed him in the past, and presently this Prophet (Muhammad) and those who believe in him; Allah is the Guardian of the Men of Faith.” [Surah Ali Imran 3: 68]

They say blood is thicker than water. We say: Faith is thicker than blood!

Back to Ni’mal Maula Wa Ni’man Nasir.

Allah is Maula for those who believe in Him and for the unbelievers there is no Maula!

“That is because Allah is the Protector of the believers whereas the unbelievers have none to protect them.” [Surah Muhammad 47: 11]

Ni’ma means ‘what a perfect……!, wonderful…..!, truly, an excellent…..!

As discussed before, Maula means: “to be near, be close, lie next, to adjoin, be adjacent, to border, to be a friend, to back up, to take control, helper, backer, guardian, benefactor, patron, companion, partner.”

Allah is Near and close to us. He is adjacent to us. He is our Friend. Allah is our Back up. He is our Controller. He is our Helper.

Allah is our Guardian, our Benefactor, our Patron, our Companion, our Partner! Subhanallah!

Ni’mal Maula = What an Excellent Protector! What an Excellent Companion! What a perfect Controller! What a wonderful Companion!

Nasir = almost carries the similar meaning: ‘helper, supporter, defender, ally, protector.’

Ni’man Nasir = What an Excellent Defender! What a perfect Helper! What a wonderful Supporter!

Ni’mal Maula Wa Ni’man Nasir = What an Excellent Protector! What a perfect Helper!

The amazing thing is that the noun ‘Maula’ is mentioned with all pronouns in the Qur’an:

'His Protector.' Read verse 4 of Surah At-Tahrim here 'Their Protector.' Read verse 62 of Surah al An'am here 'Our Protector.' Recall the last part of the famous Du’a 'Anta Maulana fansur na alal qaumil kafirin.'

'Your Protector.' Read verse 8 of Surah al-Anfal and 78 of Surah al-Hajj mentioned below.

The phrase/statement “Ni’mal Maula Wa Ni’man Nasir” comes twice in the Qur’an:

1. Read this beautiful verse of Surah al-Anfal wherein Allah, Maulakum, Ni’mal Maula, Ni’man Nasir are mentioned one after the other. What a flawless flow, Subhanallah!

“But if they turn away, then know well that Allah is your Protector – an excellent Protector and an excellent Helper.” [Surah al-Anfal 8: 40]

2. In this verse of Surah al-Hajj, the words Allah, Huwa, Maulakum, Fa Ni’mal Maula, wa Ni’man Nasir are amazingly presented in the Qur’an’s unique inimitable style:

“And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father Ibrahim (Abraham). Allah named you “Muslims” before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to Allah. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.” [Surah al-Hajj 22: 78]

Please underline and underscore the fact that in both the places in the Qur’an wherein the phrase/statement Ni’mal Maula Wa Ni’man Nasir is mentioned, it is preceded by the command to perform Jihad.

That is to say: if you struggle in the way of Allah with all your might, then know that Allah is not only your infinite Protector, He alone is the Best to Protect, He alone is the Best to Help. And what an Excellent Protector He is! What an Excellent Helper Allah is!!!

Dear brothers and sisters! Let me conclude by quoting an amazing verse wherein the word Naasir is used instead of Nasir:

“But Allah is your Protector, and He is the Best of helpers.” [Surah Ali-Imran 3: 150]

O Allah! help us to overcome all satanic temptations. 

O Allah! guide us unto the Straight Path.

O Allah! Make us live as Muslims and take our souls in the state of Iman. 

You are our Protector. Save us from the torment of the Hell-fire. Ameen.

Praise be to Allah, the Ever-Living, Who does not die, and Peace and Blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and Companions.

Imam Murtadha Muhammad Gusau sent this piece from Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusaumurtada@gmail.com or +2348038289761