Everyone in this world has got disasters in their lives. The examination of life in the world can be given with blissful enjoyment or grief. All of that take turns because there is no eternal thing in this world. For that, as Allah said, we have to consider disasters as testing of life. We have to handle them with strength and sincerity.

In Islam, Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ) is part of the Quran, Sura Al-Baqara, Verse 156. The full verse is as follows:

الذين اذا اصابتهم مصيبة قالوا انا لله وانا اليه راجعون

“Who, when a misfortune overtakes them, say: ‘Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return.”

This is the phrase that Muslims recite when a person is struck by the calamity in life and is usually recited upon hearing the news of someone’s death. This can also be recited in any situation involving a risk of any sort. The phrase is commonly translated as “Verily we belong to God, and to God, we return.”

It should be understood that the saying of Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un is not confined to uttering upon receiving news of a death. Rather it has been prescribed to be uttered at any occasion wherein one is put into some kind of distress or is afflicted by some calamity.

“And to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth….” (Surah Aal-Imraan:180)

It is Allah Who has given you all the property and goods you possess, and that He is the true Owner of them all.
So the cars that you own, the houses that you live in, the businesses you possess all truly belong to Allaah
The kids that He blessed you with, the health that He gave you, the time that He has allowed you are all Allah’s property. Even the bodies we live in and the life that we have belongs to Allaah alone.

“The kingdom of the heavens and the earth and everything in them belongs to Allah. He has power over all things.” (Surat al-Ma’ida: 120)

Everything belongs to Allaah, then we have to include even our souls in that list. The very souls that we think of as our “self”; our “nafs”; our “being” — whatever you want to call it — that very thing that distinguishes you from the rest of the world, belongs to Allaah. It’s not YOURS. In fact, YOU are not YOURS. You belong to Allaah. And this is the essence of the concept of slavery to Allaah in Islam.

“Say: ‘To Allah belongs the East and the West…” (Surah al-Baqarah:142)

Muslims believe that God is the One who gives and that it is He who takes away; He is testing humankind. Hence, a Muslim submits to God and is grateful and thankful to God for whatever they receive. On the other hand, they are patient and say this expression in times of turmoil and calamity.

“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Soabiriin (the patient).” (Noble Quran2:155)

Importance of saying Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun

“No worshiper is caught and then he prays, All gifts from Allah in this world are only deposits from Him and we have to handle it well. There is no eternal thing or according to the human will.

“We belong to Allah and we will return to Him, O God, give me the reward of disaster and give me a better replacement from it,” except Allah will give the reward of disasters and Allah give a better replacement from it.” (Muslim)

The sentence of “inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun” has meaning, everything belongs to Allah and all of them will return to Allah. This sentence has a deeper meaning that everything in this world belongs to Allah and humans can’t claim anything from Allah because only Allah has rights and will. Human only tries and hope for the best. Of course, Allah knows better about that.

Saying this thayyibah sentence has antecedences, especially in the face of disasters. These are some antecedences from saying this thayyibah sentence in human lives.

1. Sincere and Tawakkul to Allah

With saying sentence “inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun”, we have understood that everything in our body and everything ours belong to Allah S.W.T. An owner can get his assets and his own anytime. We don’t have the right to anything and all of that belong to Allah.

If we have realized that thing, we will be sincere and tawakkul. We are not sad easily moreover emotional when faced with everything. Because we realize that Allah is an owner of everything and it will return to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.

2. Don’t mind your heart

By saying “inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun”, we can lighten up our hearts. We are not burdening or grudgingly about everything that happened. Our heart is calmer and cooler, because of everything that happened, Allah know better and give the best for you later. If it is not in the world, you will get a reply better.

Sometimes humans have to act on this situation or problem grudgingly. Whereas, Allah always give favour to His servant who believed with His Majesty. People who doubt Him will mind their selves or their hearts. Whereas all of that belongs to Allah, He can give and take them back anytime.

3. Be patient on the test of life

If we have the same perception and paradigm, we can be patient on the test of life. The test of life can come anytime without we have to know and guessing. All of that happen to test how much our patience and faith in Allah S.W.T. For that, we have to say this thayyibah sentence “inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun”, so we can be more patient and accept the test of life. Read more about Right Ways How to be Closer to Allah SWT

We have to be patient and accept everything, but it is not meant that we give up. We will be more ready and prepare ourselves better. We can face it lighter without sighing which can add our burdens.

4. Don’t need to bemoan your fate

Saying thayyibah sentence “inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun” can make us unemotionally and excess to face the test. Everything has been arranged by Allah S.W.T and we don’t need to bemoan our fate. If all of our lives belong to Allah, of course, we don’t need to be angry or emotional. Everything is not our own and only Allah controls our fortunes.

Bemoaning fate will not solve problems in our lives. For that, patience and sincerity can help us to be stronger and bearer. So, say this thayyibah sentence regularly and deep significance about it.

The best time to say sentence “inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun”

Allah doesn’t command us to say this thayyibah sentence “inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun” in a special moment. We can say it at any time when we remembered Allah S.W.T. This sentence is not only for dead people, but we can say it when we got disasters, heavy tests, and other times.

Of course, wherever and whenever we are not prohibited by Allah. More importantly, a human can understand and interpret that sentence well. If we have really believed and understood, of course, we must understand that the sentence “inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun” is a sentence to take care of us and make us sincerely only to Allah S.W.T.

The test of life will always be there. For that, we have to prepare patience, sincerity and endeavour to handle it. Of course, Islam doesn’t depend on resignation or doesn’t do anything to change our fates.

“You will surely be tested in your possessions and in yourselves. And you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with Allah much abuse. But if you are patient and fear Allah – indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of determination.” (Ali Imran: 186)

Allah answer in the Quran that all of the tests never exceed our ability:

• “And whoever relies upon Allah, then He is sufficient for him.” (At-Talaq : 3)
• “Verily, Shaytan (Satan) is your enemy so treat him as your enemy.” (Quran, Chapter 35, Verse 6)
• “They are those on whom are the Salawat (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)
• “All that is with you is bound to come to an end, whereas all that, which is with Allah is everlasting.” (Quran, Chapter 16, Verse 96)
• “Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most deeply conscious (i.e. fearful) of Him.” (Quran, Chapter 49, Verse 13)