We live in a time when disunity, discord and conflict has entered many relationships and households, and people are searching for solutions to regain the love and unity which they once enjoyed. However, they often resort to means which are not necessarily the real solutions to bring about love and unity.
The real solution is to draw down the help of Allah Ta‘ala جل جلاله and to attract His grace and mercy. Allah Ta‘ala جل جلاله addresses Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم in the following words, “And He brought together their (i.e. the believers) hearts. If you had spent all that which is in the earth, you could not have brought their hearts together, but Allah brought them together.” (Surah Anfaal v63) From this verse we understand that love can only be created and reignited by Allah Ta‘ala. Thus, it is imperative that we implore and beseech Him.
From among the many duas of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم, one very comprehensive and effective dua to create love and unity between people is the following dua:
اَللّٰهُمَّ اَلِّفْ بَيْنَ قُلُوْبِنَا ، وَاَصْلِحْ ذَاتَ بَيْنِنَا ، وَاهْدِنَا سُبُلَ السَّلَامِ ، وَنَجِّنَا مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ اِلٰى النُّوْرِ ، وَجَنِّبْنَا الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ ، وَبَارِكْ لَنَا فِيْ اَسْمَاعِنَا وَاَبْصَارِنَا وَقُلُوْبِنَا وَاَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا ، وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيْمُ ، وَاجْعَلْنَا شَاكِرِيْنَ لِنِعْمَتِكَ مُثْنِيْنَ بِهَا قَابِليْهَا وَاَتِمَّهَا عَلَيْنَا
“O Allah, unite our hearts and put right for us our mutual affairs. Guide us to the path of peace, release us from darkness to light, save us from obscene practices whether hidden or open. Bless us in our ears, eyes, hearts, wives and children and accept our repentance. Verily You are Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. Make us thankful (to You) for Your favours, that we may praise (You) upon it, welcome it and complete it (i.e. Your favours) upon us.” (Sunan Abi Dawood #969)
It is the experience of many people that when they began reciting this dua, in a short space of time, peace and love was once again created amongst them. Shaikhul Hadeeth, Moulana Muhammad ‘Aaqil Saheb حفظه الله, a great ‘Aalim and saint of India, strongly encourages the recitation of this dua. He mentioned that an Aalim who was encountering severe feuds in his family recited this dua. In a matter of a few days, this issue was resolved amicably. Further, a woman who was once on the journey of Umrah complained that her husband had suddenly become very cold towards her and was not even speaking to her on this blessed journey. She was also advised to keep reciting this dua. By the next morning, she came to express her gratitude because her husband’s mood had completely changed and he was once again treating her well.
Apart from this dua being a recipe for love and unity, which is in the first part of this supplication, many other pertinent aspects are also begged from Allah Ta‘ala جل جلاله in this dua.
Thus, having begged for unity and peace, we next ask Allah Ta‘ala جل جلاله to save us from the darkness of disbelief and disobedience and guide us to the light of Imaan and obedience. We also beg Him to keep us far away from any type of immorality which is a major cause for the anger of Allah Ta‘ala جل جلاله and a scourge of our times. We then supplicate for barakah (blessings) in ourselves and our families and also beg for the forgiveness of Allah Ta‘ala, which we are constantly in need of.
Furthermore, since Allah Ta‘ala جل جلاله has showered us with countless bounties and favours, and continues to shower them upon us at every moment, we beg Him in this dua to make us grateful for His limitless bounties and to also make us among those who appreciate these favours. Lastly, we ask Allah Ta‘ala جل جلاله to complete these favours upon us, which means that these bounties must aid and assist us in worshipping Allah Ta‘ala جل جلاله. (Sharhu Sunan Abi Dawood – Ibnu Raslaan vol. 5, pg. 227)
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