Abdullah ibn Sarjis (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from decline after prosperity (al-hawr badal kawr) and I seek refuge in your from the supplication of the oppressed. (Muslim)
Scholars commented on this very special dua, which literally means wrapping the cloth into a turban
Abdullah ibn Sarjis (may Allah be pleased with him) also narrated that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would travel, he would say:
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardship of travel, the sadness of return, from decline after prosperity, and from the supplication of the oppressed.” (Tirmidhi)
Al Kawr
Imam al-Sindi explained that the literal meaning of “al-kawr” is the wrapping and arranging a turban (imamah), while al-hawr is unravelling it. Kawr is connected to the word “takwir” as in Surat Takwir which means coing together. Al hawr is the opposite – the dismantling. So, the Prophet ﷺ is asking us to keep up the momentum, to keep our imaan strong, and our ta’a (obedience). During Ramadan, we have been doing takwir – building up our worship with increased recitation of the Quran, additional salah, praying in the night, giving extra charity.
Al Hawr
By contrast, hawr, the untying of the imamah, is disassembling it. Similarly, we have the contrast between accumulating good deeds, and undoing them. The Prophet ﷺ wanted to keep the good things that he was doing, and asking Allah to protect him from decline. This is exactly what we need to do after Ramadan. We ask Allah to help us to safeguard our new good habits. For those who recited the Quran in Ramadan, keep reciting the Quran, those who prayed extra salah, continue praying extra salah. For those who tried to control their tongues more, and their eyes and ears, keep thinking before you speak, avoid seeing anything you shouldn’t look at, or listening to what is harmful. Those who improved their behaviour, should continue their better behaviour, because the Lord of Ramadan is worthy to be worshipped all year round, not just in Ramadan. Allah is teaching us in this supplication to seek refuge from losing the good things that we painstakingly accumulated.
Imam al-Tirmidhi interpreted it as returning from faith to disbelief, or a shift from obedience to disobedience. Al-Mubarakfuri said it refers to deficiency after growth and corruption after rectification. Imam al-Mazari said it can also mean turning away from the community after being part of it.
All interpretations point to one core idea of not falling back after making spiritual progress, not losing faith or weakening after strength, and not declining from good to bad.
In the Quran, Allah says:
“O you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and do not invalidate your deeds.” (Quran 47:33)
The Prophet ﷺ also used to make the du’a:
“O Turner of hearts, keep our hearts firm upon Your religion.” (Tirmidhi)
The Sunnah of Eid is to spread happiness in the community among your families, connect with your relatives, at lease drop them a message saying “Eid Mubarak” and ask after their health.
Our ummah has been under attack for two years, first in Palestine and then spreading to other countries. Despite all the pain, we have to spread happiness, especially for our children and create good alternatives for them to celebrate Eid and glorify Allah’s names during these blessed days, now that we have fasted the month of Ramadan. Let’s increase in our worship, our duas and our good deeds.
May Allah keep us charged like a battery that is generating goodness. We ask Allah to shower us with His forgiveness. May He relieve all those who are suffering and in distress and we ask Allah to bring peace and tranquility to our ummah, and safety for the people who are under attack. Ameen.
Delivered by Shaykh Haytham Tamim on Eid day, 20th March 2026.