This was what Fatimah, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ felt after suffering pains and blisters due to the heavy house chores and working the stone hand-mill. One day, upon receiving news that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had received some prisoners of war out of victory from a battle, Fatimah intended to approach her father – the leader of the state – to request to have some of these POWs as servants to help with her house chores.
Upon hearing about her request, the Prophet ﷺ went to the home Fatimah and her husband Ali bin Abi Talib, while they were lying in bed at night, about to sleep. He then sat in between Ali and Fatimah, so close to them that Fatimah described that she felt the coldness of his feet on her abdomen. He then provided a solution:
أَلاَ أَدُلُّكُمَا عَلَى خَيْرٍ مِمَّا سَأَلْتُمَا، إِذَا أَخَذْتُمَا مَضَاجِعَكُمَا ـ أَوْ أَوَيْتُمَا إِلَى فِرَاشِكُمَا ـ فَسَبِّحَا ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ، وَاحْمَدَا ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ، وَكَبِّرَا أَرْبَعًا وَثَلاَثِينَ، فَهْوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمَا مِنْ خَادِمٍ
"Shall I direct you to something better than what you have requested?
When you go to bed (at night), 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."
(Narrated by Al-Bukhari, Muslim)
What does dzikir have to do with getting extra help, or obtaining a servant?
Ibn Al-Qayyim, when listing the benefits of dzikr (remembrance of Allah), including istighfar (praying for forgiveness), he mentioned an interesting benefit number #61: Dzikr dan increase in one’s PHYSICAL strength! He said:
“Dzikr (remembrance of Allah) gives a person strength so that he can do with dhikr that which he cannot do without it. I saw wonders in the strength of (my teacher) Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah in walking, speech, courage and writing. He used to write in one day what a scribe would write in a week, or more. The troops saw his amazing strength in war.
The Prophet ﷺ taught his daughter Fatimah and ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with them) to recite tasbeeh (glorification of Allah) thirty-three times every night when they went to bed, and to recite tahmeed (praises of Allah) thirty-three times, and to recite takbeer (magnification of Allah) thirty-four times, when she asked him for a servant and complained to him about the hardship of grinding corn, working and serving (her family). He taught her this and said: “It is better for you than a servant.”
It was said: The one who persists in doing this will find strength in his body that will make him independent of the need for a servant.” (al-Wabil al-Sayyib p. 77)
This echoes the call of Prophet Hud, when he said to this people, the people of ‘Aad, who were known for their great physical strength:
وَيَا قَوْمِ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِدْرَارًا وَيَزِدْكُمْ قُوَّةً إِلَىٰ قُوَّتِكُمْ وَلَا تَتَوَلَّوْا مُجْرِمِينَ
“And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimoon (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah).” (Surah Hud 11:52)
An especially important tip for us who are exhausted and constantly striving to find that illusive work-life balance of #WorkingFromHome.
Now, perhaps one may alao wonder: what does dzikir and istighfar have to do with physical strength – How are these “related” in any way? How does that “make sense”?
Answer: Because Allah is the source of all Might and all Strength. He grants it to those whomsoever He wills; and He has revealed this as one of the means to earn some of that strength. Please the Source of Strength, and insha Allah, you shall be strong!
Implement this every night, put your trust in Allah, and see for yourself!
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