Assalamu Alaikum,
The following is a message from Shaykh Yahya al-Mulla, the foremost Hanafi jurist of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, resident in the city of Hofuf (Al-Ahsa). [This was message was dictated to Ustadh Salman Azeem who produced the translation below]:
In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praises be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, with peace and blessings be upon the noblest of messengers and prophets, our master Muhammad ﷺ who was sent with clear guidance, and upon his family, companions and those who follow them upon the truth until the last day.
The following treatise consists of two supplications for the relieving and removal of distress and plagues. They were named by the author as:
- ‘The Desire of those who Supplicate for the Removal of Distress and Plague’
- ‘The Chosen Supplication for the Removal of Plagues and Epidemics’
These two blessed supplications are to be read during times of distress and outbreak of plagues and epidemics, they were compiled by the great Imam and seal of the latter-day scholars, Al-Shaykh Abu Bakr bin Al-Shaykh Muhammad bin Al-Shaykh Umar Al-Mulla Al-Hanafi Al-Ahsai, who passed away in the year 1270 Hijri/1853.
In times of such widespread disease, difficulties and trials, we as Muslims are advised to see such events as a reminder of the infinite power and control Allah ﷻ has over the universe and all it contains. That such an insignificant creation of Allah ﷻ, one that cannot even be seen by the naked eye could shake the mighty nations of the world, cause great economies to collapse and send millions into panic should serve as a reminder of man’s true impoverishment to his Creator ﷻ.
We know from the example of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that in times of turmoil and distress he would turn to Allah ﷻ in supplication and remembrance of Him, the All-Mighty. For none can truly relieve hardships save Allah ﷻ.
We should use this situation and others like it to renew our repentance for our sins, to vow to leave all acts of disobedience and to turn to Allah in impoverishment and seeking His ﷻ aid in all our affairs.
It is recommended that these supplications are read daily during these times of unease and if the believing men and women gather in their mosques and homes to recite them then this is good.
We ask Allah ﷻ that through these blessed supplications which consist mainly of Quranic and Prophetic duas and the duas of the righteous predecessors that He ﷻ accepts them from us.
We ask Allah ﷻ to remove all forms of distress that have befallen us and to save us from all evil, in particular the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that has now become widespread.
Allah ﷻ is the only one who can remove this and is capable to do so.
May abundant peace and blessings of Allah ﷻ be upon our Master Muhammad ﷺ, his family and companions.
The pdf for the Arabic can be downloaded below, a translation and audio of the recitation will – God willing – be forthcoming: