When The Dua Was Instantly Answered

Khutbah Opening

All praise is due to Allah, and His praise and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, his family, his companions, and his followers until the Day of Judgment. I bear witness that Allah is the only one worthy of worship and Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is His last and final messenger.

The Verses of Surah Al-Anbiya

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says in Surah Al-Anbiya:

When Zakariya cried out and prayed to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala — "Oh my Lord, do not leave me childless, You are the best of successors" — then Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says: We right away responded to him, answered his call, and We gave him Yahya (John), and amended for him his wife. Indeed they used to hasten in good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive.

These two verses — what I would like to reflect upon with you today in our khutbah. So many lessons we can learn from these two short verses.

Lesson One: The Power of Du'a

Number one — when Zakariya cried out to his Lord and prayed to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in regard to a worldly matter — being childless and wishing to have children — that shows you that one of the things we need to revive in our life today is the focus on du'a and believing in the power of prayer.

Unfortunately today, du'a is something that has become a habit, a custom. We don't put so much belief in it. We don't put so much emphasis on it. Our kids don't see that.

There is one sister who told me — and I will never forget this — she said, "Shaykh, what I loved about Islam when I converted was the type of relationship that you have with Allah. But I'm surprised by how Muslims don't have that focus and emphasis on prayer." She said, "For example, when I was a kid, every time we went to bed I would pray with my father — who was a Christian at that time — we'd kneel down by the bed and we'd pray. But I don't see that as something that many people pay much attention to."

And you know what, this is something we should reflect on. If you look back at the time of the Prophet ﷺ, he always rushed to du'a. Du'a played a major role in every step of his way. Even when he took his first step outside the house, he would say:

"O Allah, protect me from being misguided or misleading others, from acting ignorantly with someone or someone acting ignorantly with me. O Allah, guide me and guide through me." What a beautiful du'a. That's the first step — putting his trust in Allah as he goes out.

The first thing he says when he opens his eyes — he prays to Allah. The first thing he says before he goes to sleep — he prays to Allah. Prayer is 24/7.

And today unfortunately, prayer has become something we do without even thinking about it. We don't give much attention to it. We don't teach our kids that this is one of the most important things to do. Yes, you need to study for the exam. Yes, you need to do your homework. Yes, you need to do all of this. But you know what comes at the top of all of this? Before and after and during doing all these things — is to pray to Allah.

Yes, when you're sick you take your medication, you go to the doctor. But before you go to the doctor, while you're at the doctor, after your visit the doctor, while you're taking your medication — you still pray to Allah. The power of du'a is not just about the outcome — it's about you connecting your heart to Allah. And what can be better than being connected to the heavens, connected to the Almighty Allah? The most honorable, noble thing is prayer, because it connects you directly to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

Lesson Two: The Timing of Allah's Answer

So here is Zakariya — he prayed and he cried to his Lord. Then Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala said: "Right away We answered his call." And here you need to understand — the answer to your du'a sometimes comes instantly, immediately, right away. And sometimes it is delayed. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala decides the answer based on His infinite wisdom, based on what He sees is best.

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala doesn't do things in this world according to our wisdom, to our desire, to our timeline, to what we want. He does it according to what makes perfect sense — everything done according to a perfect measurement: the time, the portion, how it comes, the way it is done. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has His wisdom and reasons behind all of these things.

One of the reasons for your du'a to be immediately accepted and answered is when you have so much sincerity in it. Zakariya alayhi salam was not looking for a child just to boast, or for strength — no. He wanted a child who would carry that message, who would continue to lead the Children of Israel, as Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala appointed leaders one after another.

The Name Yahya — Life

We gave him John — because the child is Yahya. Yahya in the Arabic language means "life," because children give life to the person. When you have children, they are an extension of your life — but only if Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala blesses your children. You extend your life by doing more good: making salah, making du'a, making dhikr, making donations, continuing to benefit people, helping others. And you contribute to their success, and that continues to increase your lifespan in a sense — you continue to receive reward from your children's good deeds.

When you die, your deeds stop — except because of three reasons, and one of them is a righteous child you leave behind.

Amending the Wife

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala also said: "And amended for him his wife." What does that mean? His wife used to be an aggressive woman — her tongue was sharp, not a very friendly person. Sometimes she crossed the line and used language that was not appropriate. So Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala amended her, meaning He guided her to become a better person — better manners, a better wife, loving, compassionate. Many of the mufassirun said that. And some said: "Amended his wife" means she was unable to bear children, and Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala made her able to have her cycle restored and bear children. Both opinions are acceptable, and there is a benefit for us to learn from both.

It is important, before you have children, to have a good role model for those children. So Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala amended his wife and gave her the best of manners before this child came, so the child could see a good role model in front of him — raised in a house where both parents are role models.

It is important to choose the right woman for your children. When you think about marriage, also think about your children — how they are going to be. I know that sometimes we figure that out quite late, but for those who have not yet married, those who are young, those who will have children — this is a good piece of advice to keep in mind and to pass on to your children. Make sure your daughter marries a good man and your son marries a good woman — a father and a mother who will be good role models for their children.

Also, you ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to give you children — and along with children, the barakah, the blessings. That is why Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah ta'ala said:

"The chapter of seeking children and making du'a for an abundance of children along with blessing." You ask Allah for children, but you also ask Allah to bless these children — so they are not a curse upon you. It is important to think about how important it is to ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to bless you with a righteous family.

One of the brothers once told me: "I was going to doctors — going back to clinics, doing tests — for six years. Everything looked fine, but no children. Six years we tried." Somebody told him to increase his du'a using the same du'a of Zakariya, and to increase his istighfar — أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ. He said: "I continuously did this during the day and the night, in my salah." And Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, after six years, blessed him with children — alhamdulillah — and he had multiple children after that.

Lesson Three: Hastening in Good Deeds

Another thing I would like you to pay attention to in these verses is where Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala explains to us why they deserved — why Zakariya deserved to have his du'a answered. What was so special about him? He said: "They used to hasten in good deeds." Who does "they" refer to? There are two opinions among the scholars, and both are correct and can be accepted.

First opinion — "they" refers to the prophets and messengers: Zakariya, Yahya, and all the prophets and messengers mentioned in the surah. One common factor between all the prophets and messengers: they hastened in good deeds.

And that is something to reflect upon, ya habibi, my dear brothers and sisters. A prophet and messenger — forgiven of all his sins, promised Jannah — yet he hastens to good deeds. When he sees an opportunity of good deeds, he hastens to it. He never hesitates. He doubles the effort. What about you and me — who should be hastening to good deeds even more?

Second opinion — "they" refers to Zakariya, the parents — the father and the mother. They used to hasten in good, and that is why Allah blessed them with this righteous child. And that is a lesson for us: if you want your children to be well-mannered, successful, religious, and to stay away from drugs and bad things — be a role model. Make sure that you yourself invest in the ta'a of Allah.

SubhanAllah — there is a great scholar from the successors who said: "Sometimes I increase my night prayer just because I want Allah to bless my children. I do extra things so Allah rewards me by making my children more righteous."

It is a beautiful scene when you see a house where the husband and wife compete in goodness — seeing who prays more, who fasts more, who donates more, who reads more Quran, who wakes up early for salah, who prays earlier in the time, who prays sunnah, who misses sunnah. When you have that kind of competition between father and mother — what do you think the children will look like? What a beautiful image.

This verse drove us to الْخَيْرَات — in goodness, all kinds of goodness. And that was kept general because people have different interests. I might hasten in good when it comes to salah, coming early to the masjid, reading Quran, learning the Deen, teaching, giving da'wah, donating for the sake of Allah.

If I say to you, "Everybody donate today to our waqf" — waqf means endowment, just in case you wonder — you should have that zeal: "I will be the first!" If there's a Quran program, "I will be the first to submit." Make that a rule — I am not going to let anyone win that race. I will be the first in this race, which is the race to Allah.

I am going to put in that extra mile — and the good news is there is no traffic jam on that extra mile. When good is not good enough, when you ask yourself "is this good or great?" and you want to be great, you want to be excellent — that is when you say: they hastened in good deeds. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala make us among them.

Lesson Four: Du'a with Fear and Hope — and Complete Submission

In the end, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says that they prayed to Allah while in a state of fear and hope, and while completely submitting to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala with humility. And that is the essence of ibadah — the servitude of Allah — to submit yourself to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in humility, with no arrogance. Whatever He orders you, whatever He commands you: "I hear and I obey. I submit myself to Your will, to Your orders, to whatever You decree upon me. I am content with it. I submit myself to it — even if it is not easy for me. I know there is a greater wisdom. I know my payday is coming. I know my break is coming. And I will be patient and I will submit myself to Your will."

Balancing Fear and Hope

There is also a discussion among scholars about what it means to balance fear and hope, and sometimes one of them can be higher. When you are about to commit a sin — you cannot tell yourself, "Allah forgives me and the tawbah is acceptable, so let me just drink that alcohol or do that." No. At that point, you put the fear more. And when you have sincerely repented to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and you truly regret what you did — now you increase that hope.

Upon death, you increase that hope. You don't go to someone who is dying — a Muslim — and tell them, "Think about how many sins you have done, and all the haram you're going to have to deal with." At that moment, you increase the hope.

Some of the ulema said: "I never wished to have anything from Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf's record of deeds — except one thing." Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz said: "If Allah said to every nation, 'Bring the worst man that ever existed in your nation,' and we brought Al-Hajjaj, we would beat them all — he would be the worst of the worst." Yet the ulema said they wished for one thing he said before he died. What did he say? He said: "Ya Rabb — these people think less of Your mercy. They think You cannot forgive someone like me, with all my sins. Ya Rabb, show them how merciful You are and forgive me." What a statement — just right before he died. And then he died after that. That is the power of hope.

Consistency in Worship

It was also said that رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا refers to a time of ease and a time of hardship — meaning they were consistent in their ibadah, consistent in their du'a. I don't just pray to Allah and submit to Allah when I'm in ease or when I'm in hardship — it is all the time.

What motivates you to hasten in good deeds is the hope and the fear. The hope for the reward makes you advance yourself in good deeds. The fear also makes you hasten in good.

One thing to reflect upon: Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala starts with hope before fear — رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا — because Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is far more merciful.

Humility — Even for Prophets

Another thing to reflect upon: Allah speaks about the prophets and messengers and says they had fear and hope in their hearts — these are the prophets and messengers — how then can our hearts be empty? How can our hearts and minds not be filled with that fear and hope?

Allah spoke about the prophets and messengers and said they submitted themselves to Him with humility. Today one of us donated maybe a couple of thousand dollars last Ramadan, or made a khatm of the Quran last Ramadan, and thinks: "This is enough. I have enough good deeds for the next year." Or someone makes qiyam al-layl, or comes to Fajr prayer, or prays the five daily prayers and thinks: "I'm done." Or someone memorizes the Quran. Or someone, just because people call him Shaykh or call him Imam, thinks that he is all that.

No — Allah speaks about prophets and messengers who received revelation from Allah and says they submitted themselves with humility — tawadu'. Arrogance is not the akhlaq, the manners, or the character of a Muslim.

Can you see how much we can learn from just two short verses? Let's change our attitude and our way of reading the Quran — to be more in-depth, to connect more with the meaning, to make sure that we reflect upon the verses and see how they can impact us in our lives.

Du'a for the Ummah

May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala protect all of us and protect our brothers and sisters who are suffering around the world — especially our brothers and sisters in Palestine. We ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, by His names and attributes, to bring urgent relief to them and victory to those who have been abused and oppressed and removed from their homes. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala give them aid, help, and relief. And may He make us among those who will always continue praying for our brothers and sisters and supporting them, and who never forget their cause.

We ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to use us in the best of ways, and to give us the zeal, the interest, and the commitment to always do what is right and to always do the best of deeds. Ya Rabb, give us the ability to continue worshipping You until we meet You, Ya Allah, while You are pleased with us. Ya Allah, forgive our sins and shower us with Your mercy, and bless this community and this gathering.

Second Khutbah — Friday Reminder

Today is the day of Friday — and it is a day where Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam encourage us to increase our salawat and salam upon the Prophet ﷺ.

Community Announcement: Civic Engagement

In the end, my brothers and sisters — I forgot to mention something important. As you all know, today is the last day of early voting. Make sure your vote is cast. I know you are tired of the election — I'm tired of it already — but it is important for our community to go. Even if you vote for one person, even if you vote for one issue — ask if you don't know, but make sure that your ballot is cast.

Ballots are more powerful than bullets. And I am going to tell you — I know you say, "We didn't see change" — we did it. It's not necessarily about your generation. This is an accumulating effort. If you don't start today, there is nothing for the next generations, and the next generation will have to start from way back. So it is a long-term, long-shot effort. Yes, there can be a short-term win, but the long-term goal is to have a real and lasting impact.

May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala make it easy for us, and:

"Appoint over us our best and remove from us our worst, O Lord of the worlds."