Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

i was wondering what the meaning of `allahumma la taruddana kha`ibin` i hear it alot in duas from the holy mosques and it gets very emotional when the imam comes to this dua. kindly let me know

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Meaning of dua

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His  forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The meaning of the supplication ‘Allah humma laa taruddana kha’ibeen’ is “O Allah, do not return or reject (our supplications), and thus make us return without any hope.”

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 32 Surah Sajdaah verses 15-17:

15 Only those believe in Our Signs, who when they are recited to them fall down in adoration and celebrate the praises of their Lord; nor are they (ever) puffed up with pride.

16 Their limbs do forsake their beds of sleep the while they call on their Lord in Fear and Hope: and they spend (in charity) out of the sustenance which We have bestowed on them.

Now no person knows what delights of the eye are kept hidden (in reserve) for them as a reward for their (good) Deeds.

Allah Subhanah has praised those sincere believers who call upon their Lord in Fear and in Hope. Thus, when one supplicates the Merciful, he does so in the hope that he will be answered, and in fear that maybe because of some of his sins or short-comings, Allah Subhanah does not accept his supplications. Therefore, the Imam of the Holy Mosques or any prayer leader, after humbly making supplications to the Merciful, beseeches his Lord not to reject his prayers and supplications and return him in a state of hopelessness; and that very thought of being returned empty-handed by the Lord of the Worlds fills the heart of the true believers with emotions and helplessness, for they know that if the Merciful Lord returns their supplications, there is absolutely no one in the Universe who can help them in the least!

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan