The Ayah and its Meaning
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi Raji un
Truly, to Allah, we belong, and truly, to Him, we shall return.
[Noble Quran 2:156]
The translation of the verses mentioned before and after this ayah is:
And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives, and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient). [Noble Quran 2:155]
Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.” [Noble Quran 2:156]
They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e, who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones.
[Noble Quran 2:157]
When do we recite this Ayah?
A prevalent perception in our society is that the words Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi Raji un are only recited at the time of someone’s death. However, this perception is not correct.
This ayah is to be said in cases where a person has suffered any kind of loss, be it the death of a person (Muslim or non-Muslim) or any living creature, loss of wealth or property, deterioration of health, etc.
There is one Hadith where the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is quoted to have said “Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi Raji un” when the lamp went off at night.
Ayesha (May Allah be pleased with her) asked him, “O Messenger of Allah. Is this also a calamity?”
Allahs Messenger replied, “Yes. Whatever hurts or causes difficulty to a Muslim is a calamity and on bearing it patiently, it carries Allah’s promise of reward.”
The Virtues of reciting the Ayah
As mentioned before, Allah asks us to be those who are patient [As-Sabirun] during calamities by reciting the ayah “Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi Raji un”.
In the very next ayah Allah tells us of the reward for this practice:
They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e., who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones.
[Noble Quran 2:156]
Muslim narrated in his Sahih that Umm Salamah said:
I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: “There is no person who is afflicted with a calamity and says, “Verily to Allah we belong and unto Him is our return. O Allah, reward me for my affliction and compensate me with something better” – but Allah will reward him for his affliction and compensate him with something better.”
She said: When Abu Salamah died, I said: Who is better than Abu Salamah, the companion of the Messenger of Allah? Then Allah caused me to say it and I said it. She said: Then I married the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah), who could be a better husband than the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?