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DU‘A AND ITS IMPORTANCE
By: Syed Abid Ali
Du‘a is a supplication to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala). Du‘a is when you ask Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala) for something. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala) wants to give us so many things. He also wants us to realize that He is there, so we must ask Him by making du‘a. Du‘as are to help us and guide us. Surah al-Fatiha is the greatest Du‘a. It is recited in every Salah (Prayer) and on all important occasions.
There are a lot of reasons why du‘a is important. Here are some of the reasons.
In a Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said: “There is nothing superior in the eyes of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala) than du‘a.” (Tirmidhi)
Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) also said: Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala) gets angry on the person who doesn’t make du‘a.” (Tirmidhi)
Du‘a isn’t only to ask Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala) to give us what we want. It is also to thank Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala) for all the great things He has done for us, ask protection from doing anything wrong, ask for forgiveness and to ask for Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala) to give us a happy life in this world and in the Hereafter. After all, the more you thank Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala), the more He gives you.
In a Hadith it is narrated that Sayyidatina Aisha (Rady Allahu ‘Anha), said: “O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the Night of Qadr what should I say?” He replied: “Say: O Allah! You are the embodiment of forgiveness and You love to pardon, so pardon me.” (Tirmidhi)
The du‘a is:
Allahumma Innaka ‘Afuwwun Tuhibbul afwa fa‘fu annee
In another Hadith, Hadrat Abdullah Ibn Mas‘ud (Rady Allahu ‘Anhu) related that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) use to pray, “O Allah, I seek from you guidance, piety, chastity, and richness of heart.” (Muslim)
When you are making du‘a, you have a direct connection with Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala). So when you are saying your du‘a you shouldn’t be distracted, but instead you should be fully concentrated. The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said in a Hadith narrated by Hadrat Abu Hurairah (Rady Allahu ‘Anhu): Make du‘a and be assured of it being answered, and know that Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala) does not answer a du‘a from a careless heart which is not concentrating. (Tirmidhi)
In a Hadith narrated by Hadrat Anas bin Malik (Rady Allahu ‘Anhu), the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said: Du‘a is the essence of worship. (Tirmidhi)
Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala) tells us in verse (2:152) of the Qur’an to remember Him. Its translation is:
Then do remember Me; I will remember you. (2:152)
When an Imam in a masjid is saying du‘a; the more people that are saying “ameen” after him, the more likely the du‘a is accepted.
In a Hadith the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said: “The one who wants his du‘a to be accepted in time of difficulty and hardship, should make frequent du‘a in time of prosperity and peace.” (Tirmidhi)
In a Hadith narrated by Hadrat Abu Hurairah, the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) also said: Supplications (du‘a) of three persons are not refused; a fasting person when breaking the fast, a just ruler and an oppressed person. (Tirmidhi)
A parent’s du‘a for the children also has a lot of effect.
When you are starting your du‘a, you should always start by saying: Bismillah- ir- Rahman- ir- Raheem (In the name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful). Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said: A du‘a that doesn’t have Bismillah- ir- Rahman- ir- Raheem at the beginning of it is rejected. A du‘a should begin in the name of Allah, putting all trust and hope in Him alone. Describing Him as The Beneficent and The Merciful creates confidence that the du‘a will not be rejected. The du‘a should also contain Salawaat (blessings) on Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam).
In a Hadith Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said: “Du‘a is a weapon of a Muslim, a pillar of the Deen (religion) and Noor (light) of the heavens and the earth. (Haakim)
After making du‘a you will notice that you feel good inside, that things are going good in your life and you will think of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala) more as a result of making du‘a. May Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala) help us realize the importance of du‘a and appreciate it in our life time as much as we possibly can. Insha Allah.
Rajab 1423, September 2002