Leaking from the Eyes

by Syed Adam Alhabshi


Tonight is the 23rd night. Who will be waking up when the rest of the world is asleep to call upon their Lord? Here's a tip on how to make effective and meaningful dua.

The Prophet SAW taught Aishah RA this dua to be recited in the Night of Power:

اللْهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ

O Allah, You are Pardoning,

 تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ

And You love to Pardon,

 فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

So, pardon me…

I guess because this dua is very common in Malaysia as it is recited at the break of every 4 raka’ah of terawih prayers, most of us seem to have memorised it. So Insha Allah, most of us can recite it during the last ten nights when we are searching for the Night of Power.

Here is my advise on how you read this dua. It works for me and I hope that it will for you.



When you recite the above dua, break it up with a pause of 5 seconds. The dua consist of 3 parts. When you read the first part, pause for 5 seconds. Then the second part, and pause for another 2 seconds. If you have time, like when you are reciting it alone at night when everyone is asleep and it is just between you and Allah, then break it up for as long as your heart desire.

My trick is this. When I break up the first part and pause, I start to think in my head that Allah is most Great. Let your mind wonder along the Greatness of Allah in every single idea that pops into your head.

In the second part, think about how He loves to forgive His servants. There’s so many verses in the Quran reaffirming this fact. Ponder upon it…

And lastly in the last part, think about all of the sins that you have committed (either in the open or hidden). Touch upon all of the bad and negative acts that we committed. Feel in your heart how ungrateful you have really been to Him. 

You should try to make a date with Allah in the middle of the night when everyone is asleep… wake up and pray tahajjud, sit down, read this dua and try the above. Sometimes, if the feeling is just right, you would cry like a baby. I’m serious… your eyes would leak as though your head is like a full water tank.

Another tip... 

Never stop these tears from coming. You will feel so much better afterwards. Seriously better.

But don't go sitting and wailing like a banshee.

Have style. Menangislah dengan bergaya. 

That's why I suggest you to do it when everyone is asleep. Although it is not something wrong to cry in asking for your Creator's forgiveness, but naturally, you'd get embarrased if you mother or father or spouse or friend were to stumble upon you crying like a baby. Huhu.

Posted in: Ramadhan 2010, YMP Contributors