Call upon Allah, Supplication - Demanding from Allah - Remembering Allah
= (AlDua' - AlIsti'anah BilLah - Thikr Allah)

Q: Why should humans call (beg earnestly) upon Allah?
A: Say why should my God care about you (all) if not for your calling upon Him. (For disbelievers) And you had lied and it (the final punishment) will be necessary.
Translation of: Ayah 77, Surat AlFurqan.
Words: Ma = Why, Ya'ba' = Cares, Rabbi = My God, Dua' = Call upon, Kath'aba = Lied, Yakoun = Will be, Lizama = Necessary.

Q: How did the call upon Allah save the life of the prophet Jonah (Yunus) when he disobeyed God by running away from his people who did not at the beginning listen to him?

A: And the whale swallowed (= Iltaqamahu) him when he was blameworthy. And if only he was not from the glorifiers (of Allah)*, he would have stayed in its belly to the Day they will be raised up. So it (whale) threw him out on the barren land while he (Jonah) was feeling sick. And We grew over him a pumpkin tree.
Translation of: Ayat 142 - 145, Surat AlSaffat.
* Glorifiers of Allah (= AlMusabiheen): Those who always remember Allah and glorify him. When in the whale's belly Jonah continued his habit of glorifying Allah: He repeated: Glory to Allah, I was from the transgressors (unjust) (Subhanak Ini Kuntu Mina AlDhalimeen).
Words: Iltaqam = Swallowed, AlHout = Whale, Maleem = Blameworthy - Blamable, Musabbiheen = Glorifiers, Labatha = Stayed, Batnihi = Its belly, Yubathoun = Raised up, Nabatha = Threw away, Saqeem = Feeling sick.

Q: Why should we repent and call upon Allah for forgiveness?
A: O people who have faith! Repent to Allah with an honest repentance so that your God might pardon your sins, and admit you in Gardesn (of Paradise) underneath which the rivers flow - the Day when Allah will not let down The Messenger (Muhammad) and those who have faith with him; Their light will run forward before them and on their right side; They say: Our God! Bring to completion our light for us and forgive us; You are Capable of everything.
Translation of: Ayah 8, Surat AlTahreem.
Words: Tubou = Repent (plural), Tawbah = Repentance, Nasouha = Honest (sin not to be repeated), Asa = Might, Yaghfir = Pardon, Yawm = Day, Yukhzi = Let down, AlNabi = The Messenger, Nooruhum = Their light, Ighfir = Pardon, Kadeer = Capable.

Q: What happens to the heart when a person stops remembering Allah and calling on Him?
A: Then your hearts hardened after that (Moses Miracle)*, and they became like rocks or even much harder; and from the rocks there is a kind from which the rivers gush out; and from them, there is a kind that is split open and the water comes out from it; and from them, there is the one that collapses down from the fear of Allah; and Allah is not unaware of what you do.
Translation of: Ayah 74, Surat AlBaqarah.
* During the time of the Prophet Moses, a person was killed and people blamed one another for the crime. Allah ordered a cow to be slaughtered. The killed man was hit by a piece of the cow's corpse. The man came to life, told about his killer and died. This was a miracle to show people that Allah will raise up the dead on the Day of Judgement.
Words: Kasat = Hardened, Koloubukum = Your Hearts, Ashad Kaswah = Much harder, hijarah = Rocks, Yatafajar = Gush out, Anhar = Rivers, Yashaqak = Split open, Yakhruj = Comes out, Ma' = Water, Yahbut = Collapse down - Go down, Khashyah = Fear, Ghafil = Unaware - Unmindful, Ta'maloun = What you do.

Q: Can a human being easily forget Allah's help and kindness on him?
A: And when the human being was in trouble, he had called upon His God, turning to Him in repentance; And then when He (Allah) bestowed His favour upon him, he forgot what he was before calling upon, and he made partners with Allah to mislead from His Way (Faith in Allah). Say: Enjoy your disbelief for some time. You are from the people of The Hell.
Translation of: Ayah 8, Surat AlZumar.
Words: Dhur = Trouble, Da'a = Called upon, Muneeb = Turns to Allah in repentance, Khawwala = Bestowed, Ni'mah = Favour, Nasiya = He Forgot, Kana Yadou = Was Calling upon, Min Qabl = before, Andad = Partners, Yudh'ila = Mislead, Kul = Say, Tamata' = Enjoy, Kaleela = For some time, Ashab = people.

Q: If we are not granted what we want, why we should not stop calling on Allah?
A: (Jacob = Yaqoub said) O my sons: Go to look for Joseph (Yousuf) and his brother (Benjamin = Benyameen) and do not despair from the relief of Allah; No one despairs from the relief of Allah but the disbelieving people.
Translation of: Ayah 87, Surat Yusuf.
Words: Bu'nai = My sons, Idh'hab = Go, Tahasas = Look for, Tay'asou (plural) = Despair - Give up, Rawh (not Rouh) = Relief, AlQawm AlKafiroun = The Disbelieving People.

Q: How does the calling on Allah affect the heart?
A: And those who have disbelieved say: Why not a sign (miracle) has been sent down on him (Muhammad) from his God. Say: Indeed God misguides whom He wills and He guides to Himself whoever turns to Him in repentance, Those who have faith and their hearts find satisfaction by remembering Allah; Indeed by remembering Allah the hearts find satisfaction.
Translation of: Ayat 27 - 28, Surat AlRa'd.
Words: Unzila = Was sent down, Ayah = Sign - Miracle, Yudhil = Misguides, Yahdi = Guides, Anab = Turns to Allah in repentance, Tat'ma'in = Finds satisfaction, Quloub = Hearts.

Q: Can Muslims ask Allah for forgives for their relatives who are polytheists or do not believe in Allah?
A: It was not right for the Prophet (Muhammad) and those who believed (in Allah) to ask Allah for forgiveness for the disbelievers even if they were relatives after it became clear to them that they are companions of Hell. And Abraham's (Ibraheem) asking Allah for forgiveness for his father was not except for a promise he had made to him; So when it became clear to him that he is an enemy to Allah, Abraham acquitted himself from him; Indeed Abraham is a sufferer with moaning sounds (Ah), a great tolerant. And Allah was not going to leave people to stray after He had guided them until He makes clear to them what they should avoid; Indeed Allah with everything is Knowledgeable. Indeed Allah has the absolute authority of the Heavens and the Earth: He gives life, and He makes dead; And you do not have other than Him any protector or supporter.
Translation of: Ayat 113 - 116, Surat AlTawbah.
Words: Yastaghfir = Asks Allah for forgiveness, Mushrik = disbeliever, Polytheist, Uli Qurba = Relatives, Mawidah = Promise, Wa'ada = He made a promise, Tabayana = Became clear, Adou = Enemy, Tabar'ra'= He acquitted himself, Awwah = Sufferer with moaning sounds, Haleem = Great tolerant. Yudhil = Leaves to stray, Hada = Guided, Yataqi = Avoids - Fears, Doun Allah = Other than Allah, Wali = Protector, Naseer = Supporter.

Q: Why should Allah be the Only One Whom we should call upon for sustenance and help in any matter of our lives?
A: Say (order to Muhammad): Do I take other than Allah a Supporter and he feeds (gives sustenance) and He cannot be fed? Say: For I was ordered to be the first of those who submitted to Allah (Aslam); And do not be from the polytheists (mushrikeen)! Say: For I fear if I disobeyed my God the punishment of a severe Day: Whoever it (punishment) is turned away from so He (Allah) had been merciful upon him and that is the explicit victory.
Translation of: Ayat 14 - 16, Surat AlAn'am.
Words: Gayr = Other than, Fatir = Originator - First to create, Yut'em = Feeds, Mushrik = Polytheist - Who partners with Allah, Akhaf = I fear, Yusraf = Is turned away - Is averted, Fawz = Vicotry, Mubeen = Explicit - Fully Developed - Manifest.

Q: What should those who have faith in Allah do when Satan whispers to them?
A: And if you are poked with a poke (quick urge to do) from Satan so seek refuge* with Allah for He is All-Listening, All-Knowing. Indeed those who fear Allah when they are touched by a sudden thought from Satan they remember (that Satan is Allah's enemy) and suddenly they are endowed with insight. And their brothers (Satan's followers) they (Satan and his offspring) reinforce their transgression then they will not restrain (their efforts).
Translation of: Ayat 200 - 202, Surat AlA'raf.
* = A'outhou Billah.
Words: Nazagh = Poke - Piercing of the skin, Ista'ith = Seek refuge, Massa = Touched, Ta'if = Sudden thought - Sudden impulse, Mubsir = Endowed with insight - Discerning - Knowing the differnce, Yamud = Reinforces - Supports, Ghay = Transgression, Yuqsir = Restrains -Restricts.

Q: Why is contemplation in the Universe considered a part of faith in Allah?
A: For in the creation of the Heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day there are certainly Signs for those who use their brains; Who mention the name of Allah standing, sitting and lying down and contemplate in the creation of the Heavens and the earth - O our God! You did not create this for no purpose - Glory to You so protect us from the punishment of Hell. Our God! For whomever You admit to Hell so you have humiliated him and the transgressors do not have any supporters. Our God! For we heard a caller (the Prophet) calling to Faith - Do believe in your God so we believed. Our God! So forgive us our sins and pardon us our bad deeds and take our souls at death to be with the righteous people. Our God! And do grant us what You promised us through Your prophets and do not let us down on the Day of Judgement for You do not fail the Promise.
Translation of: Ayat 190 - 194, Surat AlImran.
Words: Khalq = Creation, Ikhtilaaf = Alternation - One after the other, Uli AlAlbab = Those who use their brains - Who understand, Yathkur = Mentions, Qiyaman = Standing, Quoudan = Sitting, Ala Jonoubihim = On their sides, Yatafakkar = Contemplates - Thinks about, Batilan = For no purpose - In vain, Qina = Protect us, Akhzayta = Humiliated, Ansar = Supporters, Samia = Listened, Yunadi = Calls, Iman = Faith, Eghfir = Forgive, Thunoub = Sins, Kaffir = Pardon, Say'at = Bad deeds, Tawaffa = To take our souls at death, Abrar = Righteous people, Mee'ad = Promise.

Q: When you call upon Allah for example by saying: Praise to Allah! Or by saying: My God! grant me so and so...etc., what are you actually doing?
A: (To Prophet Noah) And make the Ark under Our (Allah's) care and Our inspiration, and do not talk to Me (Allah) on behalf of those who committed sins; They are to be drowned.
Translation of: Ayah 37, Surat Hood.
Note: Next Qur'anic lines about Noah.
Words: Is'ne' = Make - Manufacture, AlFulk = The Ark - The Ship, Mughraq = Drowned.

Q: What happens to a person who is too arrogant to worship Allah?
A: And your God said: Call upon Me - I will answer you, for those who become too arrogant to worship Me (Allah) they will enter Hell - lowered with humiliation.
Translation of: Ayah 60, Surat Ghafir.
Note: Faith in Allah alone (Islam) makes a person eligible for Paradise. However not following what Allah commanded and/or doing what Allah prohibited makes a Muslim eligible for Allah's punishment and/or Allah's forgiveness if Allah wills.
Words: Udou = Call on, Astajeeb = I answer, Yastakbir = Becomes too arrogant, Ibadah = Worship, Yadkhul = Enters, Dakhir = Lowered with humiliationn - Abased.

Q: When real terror strikes or on the Day of Judgement what is the truthful moment of those who partner with Allah?
A: Tell me (all of you)! When the Punishment of Allah reaches you or (even) when The Hour comes upon you - other than Allah you are going to call on, if you were truthful?! No! On Him (Allah) you will call so He removes what (harm) you are calling Him about if He wills and you will forget what you were partnering with Him (now).
Translation of: Ayat 40 - 41, Surat AlAn'am.
Words: Araytakum = Tell me (you plural), Ata = Reaches, Adhab = Punishment, AGhayr = Other than? Yakshif = Removes, Ma = What, In Sha' = If He wills - If He pleases, Yansa = You will forget.

Q: Why does Allah give a lot to a person who continues his rebellion against Allah?
Hint: In a summary of a saying by the Prophet Muhammad: If you see Allah giving someone who continues doing sins, then this is luring into a trap ("= Istidraj" to be eligible for punishment). The speech is referred to by Hassanain Mohammad Makhlouf, the ex-Mufti of Egypt.
A: And We (Allah) sent to nations before you (Prophet Muhammad) so We afflicted them with misery (because of fighting) and harm so that they might humble themselves calling (on Allah); So if only when Our punishment reached them they humbled themselves (calling on Allah), instead their hearts became hardened and Satan made look good to them what they were doing; So when they forgot what they were reminded of (humbling themselves) We (Allah) opened upon them the gates of everything (affluence) until when they rejoiced in what they were given We attacked them suddenly so they became dumbfounded; So the root of the people who transgressed was cut off and Praise to Allah - The God of the inhabitants of the world.
Translation of: Ayat 42 - 45, Surat AlAn'am.
Words: Ba'ssa' = Misery (because of fighting), Dharra' = Harm, Yatadharra'oun = Humble themselves calling on Allah - Beg earnestly, Nasa = Forgot, Thukira = Was reminded, Fataha = Opened, Fariha = Rejoiced - Was happy, Akhadha = Afflicted - Attacked, Baghtah = Suddenly, Mublis = Dumbfounded - Unable to talk because of astonishment, Qutia' = Was cut off, Dabir AlQawam = The root (generation) of the people.

Q: If the Prophet Muhammad was a caller to Allah, can Muslims invoke the name of the Prophet (Ya Rasoul Allah)?
Note: According to Merriam Webster's Deluxe Dictionary: Invoking means to petition for help or support, to appeal to or cite as authority.
Note: The familiar slogan of Muslims when invoking the name of Allah is "Allahu Akbar = Allah is Supreme".
A: O you the Prophet (Muhammad)! For We (Allah) sent you as a witness* and a bearer of good news (of Paradise) and a warner (of Hell); And as a caller to Allah with His (Allah's) permission and as an illuminating radiant light (with Guidance).
Translation of: Ayat 45 - 46, Surat AlAhzab.
* Over the people at the Prophet Muhammad's time.
Words: Ya = O - You, Ayuha = You, AlNabi = The Prophet, Arsala = Sent, Shahid = Witness, Mubashir = Bearer of good news, Natheer = Warner, Daaee= Caller, Sirajan = As a radiant light, Muneera = Illuminating.

Q: Why should the prayers and the calling be directed only to Allah?
A: To Him (Allah) is (directed) the true calling and those who call upon (gods) other than Him - they do not answer them anything no more than the one who is stretching out his hands towards water so that it might reach his mouth and it is not reaching it! And the calling of the disbelievers is certainly only in error (futile).
Translation of: Ayah 14, Surat AlRa'd.
Words: Lahu = To Him, Da'wat AlHaq = The true calling - the calling in reality, Yastajeeb = Answers, Illa = No more, Basit = Stretching out - Extending, LiYablugh = Might reach, Fah = Mouth, Baligh = Reaching, Ma ... ILla = Certainly only, Dua' = Calling, Fi Dhallal = In error - In vain.

Q: Why should a stubborn tyrant fear the prayers of the faithful to Allah?
A: And those who disbelieved said to their prophets: We will certainly drive you out from our land or you have to return to our religion so Allah revealed to them (prophets) that We (Allah) will certainly destroy the transgressors; And We (Allah) will let you dwell in the land after (destroying) them - that is for whoever is in awe of My (Allah's) Supremacy and fears My (Allah's) warnings; And they (prophets) called on Allah to judge (between them and their enemies) and every stubborn tyrant comes to nothing (in the end); Behind him (waiting for him) is Hell and he will be given to drink water with pus (dead cells) that comes out from the wounds; He gulps** it and he hardly swallows it and death comes to him from everywhere and he is not going to die and behind him (waiting) is a severe punishment.
Translation of: Ayat 15 - 17, Surat Ibraheem.
** Because of thirst.
Words: Rusul = Prophets, Nukhrij = Drive out, Millat = Religion, Rusul = Prophets, Nuskin = Let dwell, Maqam = Supremacy, Wa'eed = Warning, Estaftaha = Called on Allah to judge, Khaba = Cames to nothing - Failed, Jabbar = Tyrant, Aneed = Stubborn, Min Wara' = Behind - Waiting, Yusqa = Is given to drink, Ma' = Water, Sadeed = With pus, Yatajar'e' = Gulps, La Yakad = Hardly - Barely, Yuseegh = Swallows.

Q: When repenting and asking Allah for forgiveness what is important in the repentance?
A: And whoever repents (to Allah) and does good deeds so he does repent to Allah a proper repentance (with intention).
Translation of: Ayat 71, Surat AlFurqan.
Note: According to more than 1000 year old book "Riyadh AlSaliheen Min Kalam Sayyed AlMursaleen" (now 2009) the Muslim scholars agree that there are three conditions for repentance: Stop the sin, regret doing it, intend not to return to it.
Note: In a summary of a saying by the Prophet Mohammad: If the son of Adam has a valley of gold he will love to have two valleys. And nothing will fill his mouth except the soil (at death) and Allah forgives who repents.
Words: Men Taba = Whoever repents, Mataba = Proper repentance.

Q: Why do Muslims often say the following: Peace be upon you, Glory to Allah and Praise to Allah?
A: For those who had faith and did the good deeds, their God guides them (to Allah's Straight Path) because of their faith - underneath whom the rivers flow (on Day of Judgement) in the Gardens of Affluence; Their calling up in it is Glory to You God, and their greeting (by angels) in it is Peace and the last part of their calling up is Praise to Allah - the God of all people.
Translation of: Ayat 9 - 10, Surat Yunus.
Words: Yahdi = Guides, BiImanihim = Because of their Faith, Tajri = Flowing, Anhar = Rivers, Na'eem = Affluence - Bliss, Da'wa = Calling up, Subhanaka = Glory to You, Tahiyyah = Greeting, Salam = Peace, Akhir = The last part - The end, AlHamdu Lillah = Praise to Allah, Rub = God.

Q: Why do Muslims often glorify (Subhana Allah) and praise Allah (Alhamdu Lilah)?
A: So have patience (command to Prophet Muhammad) for the Promise (Day of Judgement) of Allah is True and ask forgiveness* for your fault (sin) and glorify with the praise of your God in the evening and the morning.
Translation of: Ayat 55, Surat Ghafir.
* In every prayer Muslims glorify and praise Allah in one common way. After prayers Muslims ask Allah for forgiveness.
Words: Esber = Have patience, Wa'd = Promise, Thanb = Sin, Sabbeh = Glorify, Hamd = Praise, Ashiye = Evening, Ibkar = morning.

Q: When does Allah accept the repentance of the wrongdoer?
A: Indeed repentance according to Allah is for those who do evil out of ignorance* then they repent not before long so those Allah accepts their repentance and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise; And repentance is not for those who do evil until when death comes to one of them he says: I am certainly repenting now neither those who die being disbelievers - for those We (Allah) prepared a painful punishment.
Translation of: Ayat 17 - 18, Surat AlNisa'.
* According to Hassanain Mohammad Makhlouf, the ex-Mufti (religious scholar) of Egypt: Every wrongdoer is ignorant.
Words: Innama = Indeed, Tawbah = Repentance - Asking for forgiveness, Ya'mal = Does, Sou' = Evil, Jahalah = Ignorance, Min Qareeb = Not before long, Hadhara = Comes, Mawt = Death, E'tadna = Prepared, Athab = Punishment, Aleem = Painful - Severe.

Q: When calling on Allah why should we ask Allah directly for what we want without saying 'if You (Allah) will'?
A: And say: My God! Grant forgiveness and mercy for You are the Best of the merciful.
Translation of: Ayah 118, Surat AlMo'minoun.
Note: In a summary of a saying of the Prophet Muhammad: If anyone of you called on Allah let him ask Allah earnestly for it and not say ' God, if you want give me! because there is none to tell Allah not to grant him (= la mustakrih lahou) (It shows trust in Allah.).
Words: Qul = Say, Rubbi = My God, Eghfir = Grant forgiveness, Erhem = Grant mercy, Anta = You, Khair = The Best, Rahimeen = Merciful.

Q: Which two verses (= Ayat) in Chapter AlBaqarah in the Qur'an, the Prophet Muhammad said are from the Treasure under Allah's Throne. Anyone who reads both of them every evening they will suffice him and bring him tranquility (Istakana)?
Hint: The last two lines (ayat).
A: The Prophet (Muhammad) believed in what was sent down to him from his God so did the believers - everyone (of them) believed in Allah, His angels, His Holy Books and His prophets - (they say) We make no distinction between any of His prophets and they said: We listened and we obeyed - Your forgiveness (for us) Our God and to You is the return; Allah does not burden a soul other than its capability* - for it what it gained (good deeds) and upon it what it acquired (bad deeds) - Our God do not hold us responsible for what we forget or err - Our God and do not burden us with a heavy load as you burdened the people before us** and do not make us bear what we do not have strength for - and forgive us (forgive and delete sins) and pardon us (forgive) and have Mercy on us - You are our Master so do support us against the disbelieving people.
Translation of: Ayat 285 - 286, Surat AlBaqarah.
* What Allah asked a human soul to do (submit to Allah and the rituals) is manageable and is according to human capability.
** Burden of the People of the Book before the Prophet Muhammad.
Words: Unzila = Was sent, Malaikah = Angels, Kutub = Books, Rusul = Prophets, La Nufarriq = We make no distinction, Ghufranaka = Your forgiveness, Maseer = Return, Yukallif = Burdens, Illa = Other than - Except, Wus'e = Capability, Same'na = We listned, Ate'na = We obeyed, Kasabat = Gained, Ektasabat = Acquired, Tuakhithna = Hold us responsible, Naseena = We forget, A'khta'na = We err, Tahmil Isr = Burden with a heavy load, La Taqah = No strength, E'fu = Forgive and delete sins, Eghfer = Pardon - Forgive, Mawla = Master - Protector, Unsur = Support.

Q: Why do some Muslims deviate away from Allah's Path?
A: (Pray) Our God! Do not let our hearts deviate (away from Your Path) after You have guided us and grant us from you Mercy for you are The Provider.
Translation of: Ayah 8, Surat AlImran.
Note: In a summary of a saying of the Prophet Muhammad: Faith in Allah will prevail until the disbelieving (Kufr) will be confined by its countries. Islam will reach across the seas. people will read the Qur'an and learn it. Then they will say: we read the Qur'an and we learnt it so who is better than us? The Prophet said: There is no goodness in such people. He was asked: Who are those? The Prophet said: Those are from you (Muslims) - those are the fuel of Hell. Source: Mukhtasar Tafseer Ibn Kastheer, volume 1, page 265.

Note: Aisha, a wife of the Prophet. may Allah be pleased with her said: O Prophet of Allah! How much you call on Allah with this prayer (Ayah 8 above). In a summary of a saying of the Prophet Muhammad: There is no heart except it is between two Fingers of the Fingers of the Most Merciful. If He wills He keeps it straight (on Allah's Path = He straightens it) Or if He wills to deviate it (from Allah's Path) He deviates it. Source: Mukhtasar Tafseer Ibn Kastheer, volume 1, page 267.
Words: Tuzegh' = Deviate - Turn away, Hadaytana = You have guided us, Heb = Grant, AlWahhab = The Provider.

Q: Why should we always ask Allah for forgiveness?
A: And whoever commits a sin or wrongs his own soul then he asks Allah for forgiveness he will find Allah Forgiving, Merciful.
Translation of: Ayah 110, Surat AlNisa'.
Note: In a summary of a saying of the Prophet Muhammad: Satan said to Allah: By Your Supremacy, my God, I will continue to tempt your servants (away from Allah) as long as their souls are in their bodies. So The God said: By My (Allah's) Supremacy (Izatti) and Sublimity (Jalali), I will forgive them as long as they ask Me for forgiveness. Source: Mukhtasar Tafseer Ibn Kastheer, volume 1, page 102.
Words: Ya'mal Sou'an = Commits a sin, Yathlem = Wrongs himself, Yastaghfer = Asks for forgiveness, Ghafour = Forgiving, Raheem = Merciful.

Q: What is Allah's Supreme Name by which if called Allah answers, as the Prophet Muhammad said*?
A: Say (command to Prophet Muhammad): My God! The Holder of the Supreme Authority (of everything) (= Malik AlMulk)! - You grant authority (power) to whomever You will and You strip off authority from whomever You will and You honour whomever You will and You humiliate whomever You will - all Good lies in Your Hand - indeed upon everything You are Capable.
Translation of: Ayah 26, Surat AlMulk.
* Source: Mukhtasar Tafseer Ibn Kastheer, volume 1, page 275.
Note: Names of Allah.
Words: Malik AlMulk = Holder of the Supreme Authority - Owner of the Universe, Tu'ti = You grant, Men = Whomever, Tasha' = You will - You please, Tanze' = You strip off, Ta'iz = You honour, Tathil = You humiliate, Qadeer = Capable.

Q: To keep his faith according to Allah's Straight Path what should a Muslim call Allah for?
A: (Muslims say) Our God! Do not deviate our hearts after You have guided us; And grant us from you mercy; You are The All-Giving. Our God! You are gathering mankind to a Day there is no doubt in it; Indeed Allah does not fail The Promise. Those who disbelieved, their wealth and their children will not avail them anything from Allah and those are the fuel of Fire (Hell).
Translation of: Ayat 8 - 9, Surat AlImran.
Note: In a summary of a saying of the Prophet Muhammad: Faith (in Allah) will prevail until the disbelieving (atheism) recedes to its countries. Muslims will spread Islam across the seas and some time will come upon people in it the Qur'an will be read so they will read it and learn it. Then they will say that we read the Qur'an and we learnt it so who is better than us! (The Prophet continues) In those there is no good. The companions said: Prophet of Allah who are those? The Prophet said: Those are from you (Muslims) - those are the fuel of Fire. Source: Mukhtasar Tafseer Ibn Kastheer, page 265.
Note: Allah's Straight Path.
Words: Tazegh = Deviate, Heb = Grant, Rahmah = Mercy, Jaami'e = Gathering, Rayb = Doubt,Amwal = Wealth, Awlad = Children, Wuqoud = Fuel.

Q: Can anyone other than Allah forgive sins?
A: And those (righteous) when they commit an immoral act or they transgress against themselves (do other sins) they remember Allah so they ask (Allah for) forgiveness for their sins and who forgives sins except Allah and they do not knowingly insist upon what they committed.
Translation of: Ayah 135, Surat AlImran.
Note: In a summary of a saying of the Prophet Muhammad: The Prophet said: Persist upon ("there is no god but Allah" = "la illaha illa Allah") and (Asking Allah for forgiveness). Repeat them alot because "Iblees" (Lucifer = name of Satan) said: I exhausted (tired = Ahlakt) people with sins and they exhausted me with "La Illaha Illa Allah" and with asking Allah for forgiveness. So when I saw that I exhausted them with whims (being into religious sects) and they think that they are guided (on Allah's Path). Source: Mukhtasar Tafseer Ibn Kastheer, volume 1, page 320.
Words: Fa'alou = Commit ed, Fahishah = Immoral act - Sin , Thalamou Anfusahum = They transgressed against themselves, Thakara = Remembered, Estaghfara = Asked forgiveness, Yusir = Insist, Hum Ya'lamoun = Knowingly.

Q: At times of catastrophe why do people call on Allah?
A: And whatever blessing you possess so it is from Allah then when harm afflicts you (plural) then to Him you cry out for help*; Then when He removes the harm from you, suddenly a group of you join partners with their God (Allah).
Translation of: Ayat 53 - 54, Surat AlNahl.
* "= taja'roun" the word originally refers to the cry of the beast like roaring or mooing.
Words: Bikum = You possess, Ni'mah = Blessing - Good things - Favour, Massakum Aldhur = Harm afflicts you, Kashafa = Removed, Fareeq = Group, Yushrikoun = Join partners.

Q; Sometimes some believers call upon very righteous servants of Allah for example prophets or angels. What are such righteous servants of Allah competing for?
A: Say call upon those whom you claimed (sacred) beside Him (Allah) for they do not have the power for removing harm from you or its averting; Those whom they call upon plead towards their God for the Favourable Acceptance by deliberate effort (= AlWaseelah)* - which one will be the nearest (to Allah) and they look forward to His Mercy and they fear His punishment for the punishment of your God is to be beware of.
Translation of: Ayat 56 - 57, Surat AlIsra' (known as Surat Beni Israel).

* In a summary of an authenticated saying of the Prophet Muhammad: Whoever says after hearing the call for the prayer the following words he will be granted to have (my) intercession on the Day of Judgement "Our God! The God of this completed call and the prayer being performed: Grant Muhammad the Favourable Acceptance by deliberate effort (= AlWaseelah) and the Merit (=AlFadheelah) and grant him a favourable status (= Maqaman Mahmoodan "nearness to Allah's Throne") that You promised him for You do not fail the Promise" (= AlLahumma Rubb Hathihi AlDa'wah AlTaamah welSalat AlQaa'imah Aati Muhammadan AlWaseelah welFadheelah Web'asthhu Maqaman Mahmooda AlLathi Wa'adtahu Innaka La Tukhlifu AlMee'ad). Source: Tafseer Ibn Kastheer, Volume 2, page 79.
Note: The first time some Muslims called out to the Prophet Muhammd "O Muhammad = "Ya Muhammad" (to be energized) was in the Battle of Mu'tah. The Prophet stayed in AlMadinah after sending the soldiers to fight. Sheikh Waleed Basyouni refers to the calling of (Ya Muhammad) as "Shirk" = Joining a partner with Allah in his "Obligation of following the Sahabahs' Methodology, part 2".
Note: Calling upon Allah's righteous servant can put the servant in a questionable situation (an example).
Words: Udou = Call upon, Za'amtum = You claimed, Min Doun Allah = Beside Allah - Other than Allah, Yamlikoun = Have the power, Kashf Aldhur = Removing the harm, Tahweela = Its averting, Yadoun = They call upon, Yabtaghoun = Pleading, Ila Rabihim = With their God, AlWaseelah = The Honourable Rank - The Means, Ayuhum = Which one, Aqrab = The nearest, Yarjoun = Look forward to, Yakhafoun = Fear, Mahthoura = To be aware of.

Q; In order that Allah remembers Muslims with His Mercy what do they have to do?
A: (Allah says) So do remember Me I will remember** you and be grateful to Me and do not disbelieve in Me.
Translation of: Ayah 152, Surat AlBaqarah.
* through obedience to Allah.
** through Allah's Forgiveness and Mercy.
Note: Mentioning Allah's Attribtues (Names) is one way of remembering Allah such as "Glory to Allah".
Beware of what some Muslims say in their made-up high praise verses of Allah or the Prophet. According to Sheikh Waleed Basyouni in "Obligation of following the Sahabahs' Methodology, part 2" Sufism, an Islamic sect, started in AlBasrah, Iraq with pious people (= Zuhhad) from "Ahl AlSunnah" who devoted their lives to worshipping Allah. Nowadays Sufism is divided into different groups with some groups reaching an unacceptable level of deviation from Islam. Sheikh Waleed mentions some names and examples. One example taken from the famous books of Sufism is that one of them says that he asked Allah to let him enter Hell but Allah did not grant him his wish. When he asked "why" Allah told him because ,as the Sufi says, if he enters Hellfire he will make it into a garden and Allah says that He has prepared Hellfire for punishing His sinning servants.
Listen to an example site that hosts Waleed Basyouni's "Obligation of following the Sahabahs' Methodology, part 2".
Words: Uthkorouni = Remember (Me), Athkurkum = I will remember you (plural), La Takfourni = Do not disbelieve in Me - Do not be ungrateful to Me,

Q: Why is to call upon someone is similar to worshipping him?
Note: Merriam Webster's Deluxe Dictionary defines WORSHIP: To regard with extravagant respect, honour or devotion. CALLING UPON means to ask for help, to demand from, to depend on.
A: It is You (Allah alone) Whom we (Muslims) worship and it is You Whom we ask for help.
Translation of: Ayah 2, Surat AlFatiha.
Note: The line is from Surat AlFatihah that Muslims recite every time they stand up in each of their daily prayers.
Words: Iyaka = It is You Whom, Na'bud = We worship, Nasta'een = We ask for help.

Q: Who comes under the category of the faithful who protect themselves against Hellfire and will be rewarded generously by Allah?
A: (Allah's satisfaction and generosity are for) Those who say: Our God we have indeed believed so do forgive us our sins and protect us against the punishment of The Fire (Hell); (Those are) The ones who are regularly patient, the truthful, the devoutly obedient, those who regularly spend (on what Allah commanded) and those who regularly pray (to Allah) for forgiveness at dawn times* (until Dawn prayer).
Translation of: Ayat 16 - 17, Surat AlImran.
* In a summary of a saying of the Prophet Muhammad: Allah the Sublime comes down every night to the Lowest Heaven (sky) when the last third part of the night remains and He says: Is there anyone demanding (something) so I give him? Is there anyone praying (for something) so I answer him? Is there anyone praying for forgiveness so I forgive him? Source: Tafseer Ibn Kastheer, volume 1, page 496.
Words: Aamanna = We have believed, Eghfir = Forgive, Thunoubana = Our sins, Qinna = Protect us, AlSabireen = Those who are patient, Sadiqeen = The truthful, Qaniteen = The devoutly obedient, Munfiqeen = Those who spend, Mustaghfireen = Those who pray for forgivenss, BilAshaar = At dawn times.

Q: If one forgets remembering Allah what will Allah make him forget?
A: And do not be like those (before you) who forgot (remembering) Allah so Allah made them forget their own souls* - Those are the ones who strayed away (from Allah's Path).
Translation of: Ayah 19, Surat AlHashr.
* Their own salvation.
Words: Nasau = Forgot, Anfusahum = Their own souls, Ulaika = Those - Such, AlFaasiqoun = Who strayed away - The immoral - The transgressors.

Q: According to Allah's Command are people allowed to make any sort of corruption on earth?
Hint: The violent riot actions by some protesters in downtown Toronto during the G20 meeting on June 26, 2010.
A: Call upon your God humbling yourselves and secretly for He does not like the transgressors; And do not corrupt on earth after setting it in order and call upon Him (Allah) fearing and desiring for Allah's Mercy is near to those who perfect their religion*.
Translation of: Ayat 55 - 56, Surat AlA'raf.
* (= AlMuhsineesn) are those who perfect their religion by following Allah's commands. They know if they cannot see Allah then Allah is seeing them.
Note: Allah rebukes people who watch passively and helplessly corruption being made on earth. An example is of the time of the Prophet Lut: "And Lut (Prophet) when he said to his people: Do you commit the vile (degrading) deed while you are watching; For you are having intercourse with men fulfilling lust other than (with) women - indeed you are people who are ignorant." Translation of Lines 54 - 55 in Chapter "AlNaml".
Even some people of the earlier times used to rebuke the passive watchers. An example is of the time of the Prophet Muhammad.
Words: Tadharruan = Humbling yourselves - Begging earnestly, Islah = Setting in order, Khawfan = Fearing, Taman = Desiring, Qareeb = Near, Muhsineen = Who perfect their religion.

Q: Does it affect Allah if an angry person says he is not getting help from Allah so he will stop calling on Him?
A: For Allah will admit those who believed and did the righteous deeds Gardens (in Paradise) underneath which the rivers flow for Allah does what He pleases; Whoever thinks that Allah is not going to help him in this Life and the Other Life so let him stretch a rope up to the sky (top of his house) then let him cut (it) (= hang himself) and see if his plan removes what angers him (against Allah); And this is how We (Allah) sent it (Qur'an) down (in) fully developed Miraculous Signs (lines of the Qur'an) and Allah guides whoever He pleases.
Translation of: Ayat 14 - 16, Surat AlHajj.
Note: Remember the English expression "go fall down the wall" = who cares!.
Words: Yaf'al = Does, Yureed = Pleases - Wants, Yathun = Thinks, Len Yansurahu = Will not help him, Tlyamdud = Let him stretch - Let him extend, LYaqta' = Let him cut, Kaydahu = His plan, Yagheedh = What angers him.

Q: Will the idols that the disbelievers worship intercede (plead) for their followers with Allah on the Day of Judgement?
A: Or have they (disbelievers)* taken other than Allah intercessors - say (command to Prophet Muhammad) even if they do not have any authority and they do not understand; Say to Allah belongs the intercession all of it - to Him belongs the Supreme Authority of the Heavens and the earth then to Him you will (all) return.
Translation of: Ayat 43 - 44, Surat AlZumar.
* Even remember that prophets have promised their followers to intercede with Allah for them. But the intercession of the prophets for their followers and the Prophet Muhammad for Muslims will not take place without Allah's permission on the Day of Judgement. So Muslims should call on Allah alone if they want the Prophet Muhammad to intercede for them on the Day of Judgement. Line 109 in Chapter Taha is translated: "That Day there is no pleading (intercession) but to whom Allah has allowed and accepted that he speaks (= Athina lahu wardhiya lahu qawla)."
Note: In a summary of a saying of the Prophet Muhammad regarding the Prophet Muhammad's intercession for Muslims.
Words: Etakhathou = They took, Min Doun Allah = Other than Allah - Besides Allah, Shufa' = Intercessors - Pleaders, La Yamlikoun Shayan = They do not have any authority - Do not own anything, La Ya'qiloun = Do not understand, Mulk = Supreme Authority - The Kingdom.

Q: What should the believers in distraught repeat to gain Allah's Mercy?
Note: Reference is to the flood calamity in Pakistan.
A: And We (Allah) sent to Thamud (an Arabic tribe) their brother Saleh* (Prophet) to worship Allah so suddenly they became two groups (believers and disbelievers) quarreling; He said O my people why do you hasten the bad to come before the good (from Allah) only if you ask Allah for forgiveness so you may receive Mercy (from Allah).
Translation of: Ayah 46, Surat AlNaml.
* No 5 on the Prophets' Map.
Note: When the Prophet Yunus (Tha AlNoun) was inside the whale for several days he kept on repeating a prayer mentioned in Line 87 in Chapter AlAnbiya' "There is no god except You (Allah) glory to You for I was from the unjust (to myself by disobeying Allah) = La Ilaha illa Anta Subhanaka inni kuntu min Athalimeen".
Words: U'bodou = Worship, Fareeqan = Two groups, Yakhtasimoun = Quarreling.

Q: Why should we pray to Allah to help us become believers (to have Faith = mou'mineen)?
Note: Remember that having Faith "believing = Iman" is a grade higher than "Islam" which is submitting to Allah. Line 103 in Surat Yusuf in the Qur'an is translated "And most of people no matter how hard you tried will not be believers (= mou'mineen)".
A: And no human was to have Faith except with a permission from Allah and He (Allah) places impurity* upon those who do not use their brains (to know Allah).
Translation of: Ayah 100, Surat Yunus.
* Impurity - Unlawful (= haram) acts = rijs. Remember that Allah is Pure and He accepts only pure acts that are done with the primary intention of pleasing Allah.
Note: Iman (Faith) makes a Muslim fear Allah because he believes Allah is watching him. More people are Muslims (= Muslimeen), less are believers (= Mou'mineen).
Words: Nafs = Human - Soul, BiIthn = With permission, Yaj'al = He places, AlRijs = Impurity - Unlawful acts.

Q: What could have prevented the protests against some Muslim governments nowadays?
Note: Apart from the hidden purposes of bringing a special religious sect to govern or a special political party in power, protests nowadays are for a better economic life.
A: And whoever Allah made open (delighted) his chest to Islam then he is upon a light (Guidance) from his God so woe (destruction) to those with hearts that are hardened* against remembering Allah - they are in a clear straying away (from Allah's Path).
Translation of: Ayah 22, Surat AlZumar.
* No mercy or feeling for the poor and the weak. It is reported in Islamic trustworthy books that Muslims who fear Allah have hearts more delicate than birds (they suffer for the just suffering of others).

Note: In a summary of a saying of the Prophet Muhammad: The best of your governors who you love and they love you. And you pray for Allah's Mercy on them and they pray for Allah's Mercy on you. And the worst of your governors those you hate and they hate you, and you curse them and they curse you. The companion then asked: Should not we then fight them? The Prophet said: No! As long as they perform prayer among you. And the Prophet repeated: No! As long as they perform prayer among you (= Aqamou feekum AlSalat). Source: Riyadh AlSaliheen Min Kalam Sayed AlMursaleen, page 222.
Words: Sharaha = Made open - Delighted, Noor = Light - Guidance, LilQaasiyati Quloubuhum = Those with hearts that are hardened, Dhalal = Straying away.

Q: Why do many preachers tend to end their Friday sermons by saying : And remembering Allah is the greatest and (now) perform the prayer (= WalaThikr Allah Akbar waAkeemou AlSalat)?
Hint: The prayer is a way of remembering Allah.
A: (Allah says) O believers remember Allah a lot of remembering; And glorify Him morning and evening.
Translation of: Ayat 41 - 42, Surat AlAhzab.
Note: In a summary of a Holy Saying (= "Hadeesth Qudsi" directly from Allah through the Angel Gabriel but not part of the Qur'an) said by the Prophet Muhammad: Allah has traveling angels other than those angels that write down people's deeds. So if they see a group of people remembering Allah they call one another to the lowest Heaven and they shade them with their wings. Then Allah will ask them: In what state did you leave My servants. They will say: We left them thanking You, glorifying and Remembering You. Allah will ask them: Did they see Me. They will say: No. Allah will say: What if they see Me. They say: If they see You they will glorify You more and more. Then Allah will ask them what they are seeking. They will say Paradise. Allah will ask: Did they see it. They will say: No. Allah will say: What if they see it. They will say: They will seek it more and more. Allah will ask what they are seeking refuge against. They will see against Hell. Allah will ask: Did they see it. They will say No. Allah will say: What if they see it. They will say: Then they will be more fearing it and more seeking refuge against it. Allah will say: I make you witnesses that I have forgiven them. They will say: But a person (they will mention his name) is much of a sinner and he was among them just because he came for some favour. Allah will say: Those group of people a person sitting with them does not become unfortunate (= Humu AlQawm La Yashqa Lahum Jalees). Source: AlAhadeesth AlQudsiyyah, pages 24 - 25.
Words: Uthkorou = Remember, Thikran = Remembering, Kastheeran = A lot of, Sabbihouh = Glorify, Bukratan = Morning, Aseela = Evening.

Q: Nowadays among the chaos surrounding many Muslim countries what two actions can bring the Mercy of Allah on those who are suffering?
A: (Prophet Shuayb says) And do ask Allah for forgiveness then turn to Him in repentance* for my God is Merciful, Loving.
Translation of: Ayah 90, Surat Hood.
* Declaring earnestly to Allah as if said under oath that the sin if any will not be repeated.
Words: Estaghfirou = Forgive, Toubu = Turn in repentance, Raheem = Merciful, Wadood = Loving.

Q: What can relieve people of the disasters that afflict them?
Note: Ali Bin Abi Taleb (the Prophet's cousin) may Allah be pleased with him said: No disaster happens without a sin and it is not lifted without repentance (= Ma Nazala Bala' Illa BiThanb waLa Rufi'a Illa BiTawbah).
A: And He (Allah) is Who accepts repentance from His servants and He pardons sins and knows what you (all) do.
Translation of: Ayah 25, Surat AlShoura.
Words: Yaqbal = Accepts, AlTawbah = Repentance - Praying to Allah for forgiveness and never to return to the same sin again, Ya'fou = He pardons, AlSaye'at = Sins - Bad deeds, Tafaloun = You all do.

Q: Can any of those whom people call upon other than Allah really benefit or harm?
Note: Even some Muslims call upon certain names of well known dead Muslims (instead of Allah) for example to gain courage.
A: Really if you asked them who created the Heavens and the earth they would certainly say Allah say then see (consider) what you call upon other than Allah if Allah wanted to inflict harm on me will they be lifting His harm or if He wanted to grant me Mercy will they be holding back His Mercy say (command to Prophet Muhammad) Enough is Allah for me - in Him the ones who trust put their trust.
Translation of: Ayah 38, Surat AlZumar.
Words: LaIn = Really if, Sa'altahum = You asked them, Khalqa = Created, AFara'aytum = Then see - Then consider, Tad'oun = You call, Dhur = Harm, Kashifat = Lifting, Mumsikat = Holding back, Hasbiya = Enough for me, Yatawakal AlMutawakiloun = The ones who trust put their trust.