What is Rida?
Rida means to have contentment with the decree of Allah (swt).
A believer’s worship can be divided into two categories: the worship of the heart and the worship of the limbs. The worship of the heart can be of a higher worth to Allah (swt), because it is the root of worship of the limbs (actions).
Rida is one of the acts of worship of the heart. It acts like a seed for a believer that bears fruit of joy and that does not depend on such external factors as wealth, fame, status, accomplishments, or beauty. A believer is happy and at peace even in a state of failure and defeat, knowing he was on the path of Allah (swt) with sincerity, and the result of his efforts were determined by Allah (swt) based on His wisdom, knowledge and power. So why should he worry or complain?
Imam Ibn Taymiyah stated concerning contentment: “Contentment is the greatest door that one enters to Allah (swt). It is the source of tranquility for the worshipper and Paradise on earth. Whoever does not enter it in Dunya will not enter the Paradise in the Hereafter.”
This is a matter that should stir our soul.
Do you have Rida?
A strong indicator is when we are tested or when things do not go as planned. Assess your reaction. Do you become bitter? Do you feel that your prayers have not been answered?
For example, we intended to marry someone, but this person married someone else. Similarly, we were pursuing a particular job, but it went to some other candidate. This blessing was not meant to come our way at that time. We need to look elsewhere for another opportunity without resentment.
That does not mean that we should not be ambitious or have goals in life. In case of failure, we ought to collect ourselves and look for possible alternatives.
How to achieve Rida?
- Know that Rizq is portioned for everyone.
The Prophet (sa) said: “Know that even if the whole community were to gather to benefit you with anything, they would not be able to benefit you, except that which Allah (swt) has already recorded for you and that if they were to gather to harm you with something, they would not be able to harm you with anything, except that which Allah (swt) has already recorded against you.” (Tirmidhi)
- Learn from your experience.
When you knock on a closed door and it does not open up for you, yet you see others entering effortlessly through it, do not be disgruntled. Know that your unsuccessful experiences hold lessons for you.
Ask Allah (swt) to help you be patient first. Next, ask Him to help you understand it in time. Trusting Allah’s (swt) plan for you is part of contentment.
The Prophet (sa) said: “He has tasted the sweetness of faith, who is content with Allah (swt) as his Lord, Islam as his religion, and Muhammad (sa) as his Prophet.” (Muslim)
- Pray Salat-e-Istikhara for decisions.
When you have a decision to make, pray Salat-e-Istikhara. This was a practice of our beloved Prophet (sa). This Dua literally asks Allah (swt) to choose for us, what is best for us.
You own the outcome of it. Your love for Allah (swt) does not decrease when you are tested. You do not build resentment against Allah’s (swt) divine decree, no matter how unfair it seems to you.
Examples of Rida from our Predecessors
The Prophet (sa) was nearly 60 years of age, when he was granted a son, Ibrahim. He would carry little Ibrahim to his companions. We can imagine his devastation upon the death of his infant child. His enemies were celebrating this incident to cause further grief to the Messenger (sa).
But what did the Prophet (sa) say, when baby Ibrahim passed away, and the companions asked the Prophet (sa) in surprise, as to why was he weeping? “The eyes shed tears and the heart is saddened, but we do not say anything, except that which pleases our Lord. Indeed, O Ibrahim, we are bereaved by your departure from us.”
To feel sad and to cry upon a loss or disappointment is natural. Islam is not against Fitrah. Hence, Allah (swt) has recognized this fact and does not expect man to become robotic or deny his or her natural disposition. The only limit that has been placed is upon the feelings of transgression and indulgence into sin, after being hit by a catastrophe. We must never carry resentment against Allah (swt), because His decisions are perfect and based upon the happenings of the unseen world, which are beyond human comprehension.
Whenever Umar (rtam) was stricken by a calamity, he would thank Allah (swt) for four things:
- That the test was not in his religion;
- That the test was not greater than it was;
- That if he responded to the test with patience, he would be given an immeasurable reward;
- That he would remember the greater calamity of losing the Prophet (sa).
As a response he would say: “I do not care what happens to me, as long as I am a Muslim.”
Imran bin Hussain (rtam) was a fierce fighter and fought along with the Prophet (sa) in battles. However, later in life, he got paralyzed from the waist down and had to live in this state for thirty years, until he passed away. Some companions, who saw him in this dependent state, cried for him out of sympathy.
Imran (rtam) replied to them: “You cry, but I am content. I love what Allah (swt) loves, and I am content with what Allah (swt) is content with; I am happy with what Allah (swt) chooses. I remain in this state, and by Allah (swt) I can feel the angels around me glorifying Allah (swt). Allah (swt) is testing my contentment with Him, so bear witness that I am content.”
How to Make Dua for Rida?
The Prophet (sa) said:
رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا وَبِالإِسْلاَمِ دِينًا وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ نَبِيًّا
“There is no Muslim servant, who says in the morning and the evening three times: ‘I am pleased with Allah (swt) as my Lord, with Islam as my religion and with Muhammad (sa) as my Prophet’, except that it will be a right upon Allah (swt) to please him on the Day of Judgment.” (Ahmad)
The Prophet (sa) would also make this Dua: “O Allah, make me content with Your decree, so that I may not hasten what You have delayed, or delay what You have hastened.” (Tabarani)
Lastly, the Prophet (sa) reminds us of something profound: “Whoever wakes up safely in his home and is healthy in his body, and has provisions for the day, would have acquired all the worldly possessions he is in need of.” (Tirmidhi)
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