Why Asking Allah for Blessings is Not Selfish and Is an Essential Aspect of Faith

Many well-intentioned Muslims feel uncomfortable or even guilty about asking Allah for blessings, believing that since they have already been given ample health and wealth, it might seem selfish to request further assistance. However, asking Allah is not only permissible but encouraged in Islam, as it is a manifestation of one's faith and trust in a merciful and generous Creator.

Understanding the Significance of Asking Allah

It is important to recognize that asking Allah for blessings is an act of worship that enhances one's relationship with the divine. Asking Allah for health, wealth, or any other need is a recognition of His omnipotence and one's own helplessness in the face of life's challenges. The Hadith from al-Sharh al-Mumti' 3/284 by Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen states, "There is nothing wrong with asking for some worldly things such as saying: 'O Allah give me a spacious house' or 'O Allah give me a beautiful wife' or 'O Allah bless me with abundant wealth'."

These acts of asking Allah are not sinful; they are acts of worship that fulfill the Quranic verses such as Surah Ghafir, verse 60: "Verily, those who disbelieve in My (Remembrance) shall have a severe penalty, for that they used to scorn (My Message and My other slaves) .." and Surah An-Nisa, verse 32: "And ask Allah of His Bounty. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise."

Guidance and Blessings from Allah

Seeking guidance and blessings from Allah is encouraged because Allah Himself states in the Quran, "And your Lord said: Invoke Me, I will respond to your invocation. Verily those who scorn My worship shall surely enter Hell in humiliation! (Quran, Surah Ghafir, verse 60)."

Seeking guidance and blessings is also reinforced in the Hadith narrated by Abu Dharr al-Makki (RA) regarding the attributes of Allah. In this Hadith, Allah says, "O My slaves all of you are astray except those whom I guide so ask Me for guidance and I will guide you. O My slaves all of you are hungry except those whom I feed so ask me for food and I will feed you. O My slaves all of you are naked except those whom I clothe so ask Me for clothing and I will clothe you. …" (Bukhari and Muslim).

Historical and Contemporary Perspectives

Historically, pious scholars such as Ibn Rajab have emphasized the importance of seeking Allah's guidance and blessings by stating, "this indicates that Allah likes His slaves to ask Him for everything that is in their spiritual and worldly interests such as food, drink, clothing, etc." This is further supported by the Hadith narrated by Aa’isha (RA), "Ask Allah for everything even shoelaces because if Allah does not make it easy for you to obtain it you will not obtain it." (Ibn Hibban, al-Tabarani, and Al-Bayhaqi).

Conclusion

To conclude, asking Allah for blessings is not selfish but an act of faith, trust, and gratitude. It enhances one's relationship with the divine and recognizes the infinite power of Allah. By adhering to these principles, Muslims can deepen their spiritual growth and find solace and certainty in their lives. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said, "If one of you wishes for something let him ask Allah for a great deal of it because he is asking his Lord." This shows the importance of seeking plentiful blessings from Allah for the well-being of oneself and others.