Salaam

August 22nd - Chapter 6: Discouraged Acts during Du'a continued

8. To Curse Someone

The prophet(saw) said: "The muslim is not (given to) harming others, or cursing them, or being vulgar, or obscene."

Once, the Companions were whipping an individual that had been caught drinking wine. Umar(ra) in his anger, cursed the man. Hearing this, the prophet(saw) said: "Don't say that! Don't help Shaytan against him!"

Even while inflicting this punishment, it is not allowed to curse or harm him in any other manner. If this is the case with a drunkard, then how much more so for a muslim that has committed a much smaller sin or no crime at all!

It is also prohibited to curse the dead, for the prophet(saw) said: "Do not curse the dead, for they have already gone forth to what they have sent." So there is nothing to be gained by cursing them. This applies to all dead people, except those whom Allah or the prophet(saw) cursed.

Cursing is even prohibited when it comes to inanimate objects, diseases or animals. The prophet(saw) said: "The wind is of the helpers of Allah. It brings His Mercy and His Punishment. So when you see it, do not curse it, and ask Allah its good, and seek refuge in him from its evil."

In another hadith, the prophet(saw)said: "Do not curse the rooster for it wakes up (people) for the prayer."

In another hadith, the prophet(saw) entered upon Umm al-Sa'ib. and found her shivering. He asked her what her problem was, so she replied " I have a fever, may Allah not bless it!" The prophet(saw) then said: "Do not curse the fever, for it rids the sins of the children of Adam like a furnace rids iron of its evil."

9. To Limit Mercy

Abu Hurayrah(ra) reported: "A Bedouin man who was praying with us said 'O Allah! Have Mercy on myself and Muhammad, and do not have mercy on any besides us two!' After the prophet(saw) had finished his prayer, he smiled and said: 'Indeed, you have confined something very vast (meaning the Mercy of Allah)!'"

It is not a part of faith to limit Allah's Mercy and neither is a person capable of doing so for Allah states: " And My Mercy prevails over all things!"

10. To Pray for Death

The prophet(saw) clearly stated that the life of a believer only brings more good, for Abu Hurayrah reported him(saw) as saying: "None of you should wish for death, nor should he make du'a for it before it comes to him. Verily, once one of you dies, his deeds are cut off, and the the extension of the life of the believer can only be for the better!"

11. Du'a for Evil and Hastiness in Du'a

12. To Look Upwards During the Prayer

The prophet prohibited this for he said: "Surely the people will stop raising their eyes towards the skies while they are making du'a in salat, or their sight will be snatched from them!"

The desired humility of du'a will not be achieved when one raises one's head arrogantly towards the skies, rather one should have a humble and lowly appearance.