Is wazifa allowed in Islam?

Answer:
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته

The claim that performing Wazifa (وظیفہ) – i.e., a regular practice of reciting specific Qur’anic verses, Names of Allāh (asmā’ al-ḥusnā), or authentic supplications for a lawful need – leads to a “life disaster” is completely baseless and contrary to the teachings of the Qur’ān, Sunnah, and the consensus of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamā‘ah, especially the Ḥanafī school.

1. Evidences from the Qur’ān

Allāh ta‘ālā says:

“And your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’” (Sūrah Ghāfir, 40:60)

“When My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.” (Sūrah al-Baqarah, 2:186)

These verses clearly show that making du‘ā’ and dhikr (including a regular wazīfah) is an act of worship that brings one closer to Allāh, not a cause of disaster.

2. Evidences from the Ḥadīth

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

“Supplication (du‘ā’) is worship.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī, 3372; Sunan Abī Dāwūd, 1479)

“Whoever is given the gift of supplication has been given the best of worship.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī, 3371)

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) himself taught specific wazā’if to his Companions for various needs, e.g., the wazīfah for protection from harm (Sūrah al-Ikhlāṣ, al-Falaq, an-Nās recited three times morning and evening – Ḥadīth from Abū Dāwūd, Tirmidhī).

3. Position of the Ḥanafī Scholars

• Imām Ibn ‘Ābidīn (رحمه الله) in Radd al-Muḥtār (1/559) discusses the permissibility of wazīfah and warns only against innovations that contradict the Sharī‘ah, not against the practice itself.
• Muftī Muḥammad Shafī‘ (رحمه الله) in Ma‘ārif al-Qur’ān and Ashraf ‘Alī Thānwī (رحمه الله) in Bahishtī Zewar (section on Ta‘wīdh and Wazā’if) mention numerous authentic wazā’if and encourage their regular practice for worldly and spiritual needs.
• Fatāwā ‘Uthmānī (by Muftī Taqī ‘Uthmānī) and Imdād al-Fatāwā affirm that wazīfah based on the Qur’ān and Sunnah is a means of attaining blessings, not harm.

4. The Reality of the Claim

The statement that wazīfah causes disaster is:

• Not found in the Qur’ān, Ḥadīth, or any reliable fiqh book.
• Likely stems from superstition, personal negative experiences due to incorrect practice (e.g., shirk, innovation, or lack of sincerity), or misunderstanding.
• If a person performs a wazīfah with correct ‘aqīdah, reliance on Allāh alone, and within the limits of Sharī‘ah, it is a source of barakah, not disaster.
• Any hardship that may coincidentally follow is a test from Allāh, not a result of the wazīfah itself.

5. Advice to the Questioner

• Continue your wazīfah with pure intention (niyyah) and firm trust in Allāh.
• Ensure the wazīfah is from authentic sources (e.g., Qur’ānic verses, authentic duas) and free from shirk.
• Seek knowledge from reliable ‘ulamā’ of Ahl al-Sunnah, not from those who spread unfounded fears.
• Do not abandon a pious practice due to false claims.

Final Ruling: Wazīfah is a commendable and permissible act of worship in the Ḥanafī school. The notion that it leads to disaster is baseless and should be rejected.

May Allāh grant you steadfastness and acceptance of your sincere efforts. Āmīn.