Zikr & Dua

Making dua to be blessed with male children

Q: I am the eldest child of my family (a male), and have 4 younger sisters Alhamdulilah. I am also Alhamdulilah married and have 2 children (1 boy and 1 girl). However, when I was younger I always wanted to have brothers but never did.

Is it permissible to pray to Allah Ta'ala for Him to bless me with more son’s or only sons if I have future children inshaAllah? Before my daughter was born, I made a lot of dua to Allah Ta'ala to bless me with another son but I was still very happy Alhamdulilah to be blessed with a daughter. But I would really want my other children to be sons InshaAllah. Please advise what I should do?

Reciting the dua of Yunus (Alaihis Salaam) for someone else

Q: Can we recite dua Yunus for someone else's coming out of danger or recovering for illness? Example - There is an initiation of an Islamic foundation that they want to complete dua Yunus a particular number of times. So they are forwarding the message through people and everyone is reciting at least once and this is for the people of Syria. Is it a correct way?

Making zikr

Q: Can I read this tasbih all time after fardh namaz: 

1. Istighfaar 100 times

2. La ila ha illalah 100 times

3. La ilaha ila anta subhanaka ini kuntu minaz zalim 100 times

4. Subhanalah wa bi hamdi 100 times

5. Hasbi rabi Allah 100 times

Even in my qiyamul layl I read all these tasbeeh and I have a habit to finish my tasbih in my qiyamul layl 100 times first kalima, 100 times 3rd kalima and 100 times istighfar, is it ok?

Reward for reciting a certain durood

Q:

اللهم صل على سيدنا محمد ما اختلف الملوان وتعاقب العصران وكر الجديدان واستقبل الفرقدان وبلغ روحه وارواح اهل بيته منا التحية والسلام

Whoever recites this durud thrice, will receive the reward of reciting salutations 30 000 times. Can one make such statements? Mawlana mentioned in accordance to tajrabah of a dream. He didnt say it was a hadeeth. Also, can one have such aqeedah that by doing such, it will happen.

Using a zikr counter

Q: Alhamdulillah I use a counter to make zikr. Generally I meet alot of people of different races, cultures, etc. All of them ask the same question. "What's the counter for?" Could you please advise me what to tell them. Something that'll be simple but InshaAllah a means of hidayaat for them. Something that'll attract them to Islam and create that love for Allah Ta'ala.