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:

AS Salam alai kum brothers and sisters in islam. my question is what does the word wazifa means, and is wazifa allowed in islam, plz reply as soon as possible jhazak allah.

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Answer:

Meaning of wazifa

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: my question is what does the word wazifa means,

The literal meaning of the Arabic term ‘Wazifah’ means to employ.

But for some reason, in the Urdu language the term ‘wazifah’ is meant to imply some verses or phrases which one recites seeking a specific favor from Allah Subhanah.

Your Question: and is wazifa allowed in islam

If by ‘wazifah’ one means to recite the Surahs, or verses, or phrases of supplications or glorifications which have been endorsed and practiced by the Messenger of Allah (saws) in his authentic and established Sunnah; then obviously such recitations would be extremely beneficial and encouraged in Islam.

But if by ‘wazifah’ one means to imply the self-invented recitations, and the times of these recitations, or the self-proclaimed rewards or merits one may get if they follow the self-invented and stated procedures, etc….when Allah and His Messenger (saws) have never endorsed such rites….then without an iota of a doubt, all such self-invented ‘wazifahs’ would constitute manifest and clear ‘bida’ or innovations! Every single innovation in the pure and perfect deen of Islam is an error and a sin in the Sight of Allah Subhanah; and the believers who sincerely fear Allah and the Last Day must strive to abstain from following any innovation in the pure and perfect deen of Islam.

Aisha narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: ‘If somebody innovates something which is not present in our religion, then that thing will be rejected.’

Related by Bukhari.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4515 Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib

That the Prophet of Allah (saws) said: “If anyone introduces an innovation (in religion), he will be responsible for it. If anyone introduces an innovation or gives shelter to a man who introduces an innovation (in religion), he is cursed by Allah, by His Angels, and by all the people.”

Sahih Muslim Hadith 1885 Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah

That the Prophet of Allah (saws) said in a sermon: “The best speech is that which is embodied in the Book of Allah, the Al Quran; and the best guidance is the guidance given by me, Mohamed (saws). The most evil affairs are the innovations, and every innovation is an error.”

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan