Supplicate to Allah For Your Companions

It has been narrated that ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) missed a man from the people of al-Shaam who used to attend his sittings.

He said to his companions, “What has so and so the son of so and so done?” They said, “Oh commander of the believers he has gone about drinking alcohol and we haven’t seen him for days.” ‘Umar called for his writer and said:

“Write: From ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattaab to so and so, Salaamu ‘Alaikum. As to what follows: I praise Allah to you, the One whom none has the right to be worshiped except for Him, The Forgiver of the sins, The One who accepts the repentance, The One who is severe in punishment, none has the right to be worshiped except for Him and to Him is the return.”

Then he said to his companions, “Supplicate to Allah for your brother that he turns to Allah with his heart and  that Allah accepts his repentance.” When ‘Umar’s letter reached him, he began to read it and repeat it to himself. He said (to himself), “One who forgives the sins, One who accepts the repentance, One who is severe in punishment; he has warned me of His punishment and promised me His forgiveness.”

He didn’t cease to repeat this to himself as he cried, and he then repented and his repentance was well. When his affair reached ‘Umar, he said to his companions, “This is how you should be when you see your brother has slipped. Correct him and call upon Allah for him that he repents and do not be helpers for the shaytaan against him.”

Source: Tafseer Ibn Katheer, Surah Ghaafir, 3

Translated by Abu Yusuf Khaleefah

18th of Shawwaal, 1436 H (08-03-2015)

Masjid Nur Allah, Queens, NYC