105 — The Danger of Supplicating Against Oneself or Others

One of the important matters a Muslim should observe in his supplication is to understand clearly what he is asking and seeking from his Lord—Glorious and Exalted—and not to be hasty or rash in his requests. Rather, he should carefully consider his affairs so that he may discern what is truly good and worthy of being sought in supplication, and what is evil and deserving of refuge being sought from it. Many people, when angered or distressed, or when troubling things befall them, may supplicate against themselves, their children, or their wealth for something whose fulfilment they would not welcome. This stems from human rashness and haste, and from failing to consider the consequences. Allah Most High says: “Man supplicates for evil just as he supplicates for good, for man is ever hasty.” 1 That is, he hastens to ask for whatever occurs to him, heedless of its harm and evil consequences. He is driven to this by his haste and agitation. Hence Allah Most High says: “For man is ever hasty.”

Among the gravest and most harmful forms of this is to supplicate against oneself for destruction, punishment, entry into the Fire, deprivation of entry into Paradise, or the like. No one does this except a person who has reached the utmost degree of folly and the furthest extreme of error. Allah relates this of the disbelievers who turned away from the messengers’ call and opposed it, as when they said: “O Allah, if this is indeed the truth from You, then rain down upon us stones from the sky or bring us a painful punishment.” 2,