Being Vulnerable with Allah (SWT) | Shaykh Abdullah Oduro | Ramadan Reminder

Opening Du'a — The Prayer of Musa

That was actually said by a prophet that we know — he was one of the أولو العزم, the five prophets of determination. He is Musa, peace be upon him. He mentioned this in the chapter of Maryam when Allah ordered him to go to the tyrant — the tyrant of their time, Fir'awn, the one that said:

Allah told him:

Allah said: go to Fir'awn, verily he has transgressed the bounds — transgressed the bounds of justice, transgressed the bounds of lordship. Meaning that he should worship Allah and he's not. He's saying that he is the lord the most high.

Musa's Response at al-Tur

Allah ordered Musa, peace be upon him, when Musa went to al-Tur — when Musa went to receive the commandment from Allah. Upon this, Allah said in the chapter of Taha, when He told him and gave him the revelation:

Musa said:

Understanding the Du'a

O Allah, expand my heart, expand my chest. اشْرَحْ — sharh means to open and expand the chest. Not only that, but expand it in the way to where you accept the Haqq.

"And make my affairs easy for me." This is important — when Allah makes something easy for you, the next person that sees it may look at it as a difficulty. But for you it is easy. Meaning that you are able to bear it and handle it in a way that is befitting to your worship to Allah. You're grateful, you're thankful, you persist.

Musa had a lisp. He would speak with a lisp in his mouth, so he would talk in a way that may not be clear. And if he was to speak this very important قَوْلًا ثَقِيلًا — this heavy-weighted message — it could be misunderstood, misinterpreted. He said:

"And release the knot from my tongue, so that they may understand what I am saying."

"So that we may glorify You abundantly and mention You abundantly. Verily, You are the one that is a witness over us."

Ramadan: An Opportunity for a New Beginning

This du'a is important when anyone is facing a challenge. Entering the month of Ramadan — this may be your first Ramadan. Congratulations, whether you're Muslim or not Muslim. Some of you were Muslim and never fasted. It's okay. You're still alive. You still have the opportunity to please your Lord.

Some of you are afraid, or you are feeling a little challenged in trying to stay in i'tikaf — in wanting to stay the last ten days of Ramadan.

The Standard of Ramadan Manners

Some of you — as the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

The Prophet, peace be upon him, gave us the standard for manners in Ramadan. He said: whoever doesn't leave off ill speech, nor acting upon it, then Allah is not in need of his eating or drinking.

This Ramadan — one can look at it as a challenge, but look at it as an opportunity. An opportunity to be a better person, not only for 29 or 30 days. Look at it as a catalyst for a new beginning.

A Task for You

Look at one thing that you need to work on. When you sit alone with yourself — what is one thing that you need to work on to make you a more attentive person to the ayat and signs in front of you from Allah? To where you take heed to these signs and you try your best to be the best version of yourself. Just look at that. And ask Allah to make you firm. Ask Allah to make you someone that is committed to the message of Islam.

The Legacy of Musa and the Call to Vulnerability

Just as Musa, peace be upon him, when he had this opportunity in front of him — to be someone that will be a legacy that we are talking about today. By the permission of Allah, turn to Allah. Look at your deficiencies. Be vulnerable to Him. And the more you are vulnerable, the closer you will get to Him.