Say: Allāhumma ikfini bihalālika ‘an harāmik waghnini bifadlika ‘amman siwāk (O Allah, suffice me with what You have made lawful against what You have made unlawful, and make me with Your bounty in no need of anyone besides You)
‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a Mukātab (a slave who buys himself from his owner) came to him and said: Indeed, I have been unable to fulfill my Mukātabah (manumission) contract, so help me. He said: Shall I not teach you words that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) taught me? If you were burdened with a debt like the mountain of Sīr, Allah would pay it off on your behalf. He said:
"Say: Allāhumma ikfini bihalālika ‘an harāmik waghnini bifadlika ‘amman siwāk (O Allah, suffice me with what You have made lawful against what You have made unlawful, and make me with Your bounty in no need of anyone besides You).".
Reported by At-Tirmidhi (No. 3563) and Ahmad (No. 1250).
A man who was a slave came to the Commander of the Believers, ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him). He had entered into a contract with his master to buy himself and become free but did not have the money to fulfill the agreement. He said: Indeed, I have been unable to pay off what I owe, so help me settle it—either with money or by teaching and instruction. The Commander of the Believers said to him: Shall I not teach you words that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) taught me? Even if you had a debt as great as a mountain called Sīr, which belonged to the Tribe of Tayyi’, it would be repaid by Allah on your behalf, freeing you from its humiliation. He said: Say: (O Allah, suffice me), turn me away, and keep me distant (with what You have made lawful) so that I am content with it (against) falling into (what You have made unlawful). (And make me) and provide for me (with Your bounty) and generosity (in no need of anyone besides You) from among Your creation.
Lessons
Consulting and seeking the opinion of the people of knowledge and religion.
It is incumbent upon scholars and callers to Allah to guide and direct those they invite to solutions that help them address the problems they face.
Encouraging the act of helping the Mukātab slave.
Encouraging learning this supplication and asking Allah with it.
Lawful sustenance, even if small, is better than unlawful wealth, even if abundant.
Reliance upon Allah without dependence on the creation.
Encouraging a kind response to the requester if you have nothing to give him.
Explanation in Arabic
جاء إلى أمير المؤمنين علي بن أبي طالب رضي الله عنه رجل مملوكًا قد كاتب سيده واتفق معه على أن يشتري نفسه ويعتقها ليصير حرًا، وليس له مالٌ، فقال:
إني قد عجزت عن سداد ما عليَّ فأعني على قضائه بالمال، أو بالتعليم والإرشاد، قال له أمير المؤمنين:
ألا أعلمك كلمات علمنيهن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، لو كان عليك دينٌ مثل جبل اسمه صير لقبيلة طيئ لأداه الله عنك إلى مستحقه، وانقذك من مَذلّته، قال: قل:
(اللهم اكفني) واصرفني وأبعدني (بحلالك) مستغنيًا به (عن) الوقوع ب(حرامك)، (وأغنني) واكفني (بفضلك) وجودك (عمن سواك) من الخلق.
مشاورة وطلب رأي أهل العلم والدين.
على أهل العلم والدعاة إلى الله تعالى دلالة المدعوين وإرشادهم إلى ما يعينهم على ما يعرض لهم من مشكلات.
الحث على إعانة المُكاتَب.
الحث على تعلُّم هذا الدعاء، وسؤال الله به.
الرزق الحلال وإنْ قَلَّ خير من المال الحرام وإن كان كثيرًا.
الاستغناء بالله عن الخلق.
الحث على رد السائل ردًا حسنًا إذا لم يكن لك ما تعطيه.
