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DU‘A AND ITS IMPORTANCE
By: Syed Yasin Ali
Muslims worship Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) in many ways. We follow the five pillars of worship, we pray five times a day and we also pray extra prayers (Salât an-nawâfil) to make our Faith in Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) stronger. But Muslims can also make du‘a (supplication) to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) in order to increase their Faith. By making du‘a, we are recognizing the power and the glory of Allah Ta‘ala and we are asking for mercy and help from our Creator.
According to Hadrat Anas bin Malik, (Rady Allahu ‘Anhu), the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) has said, “Du‘a is the essence of worship.” (Tirmidhi).
By supplicating to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala), we are communicating directly with Him. We should always make du‘a whenever it is possible for us since Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) is the only One who can help us through His Knowledge and Power. Whenever we need assistance or help, we should always turn towards Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala). A Muslim should not think that it is unnecessary for him to make du‘a since Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) is aware of his thoughts and will grant his wishes if He Wills. He should always supplicate to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) for assistance and should beg for His forgiveness.
However, it is very important that we don’t become disappointed or unhappy when one of our du‘as is not accepted by Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala). Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) is well aware of all things and He has the Knowledge of the Unseen. We should be content with whatever decision Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) the Almighty has chosen for us even though it might be disappointing. In a Hadith, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) has said, “No one makes a du‘a without Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) giving him what he asks for, or keeping away from him a similar amount of evil, provided he does not ask for something sinful or for breaking family ties.” (Tirmidhi)
Allah (Subhananhu Wa Ta‘ala) is All-Merciful and He accepts the du‘a of Muslims when we ask for His help. However, He accepts the du’as of some people more readily than others. For example, in a Hadith, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) has said that the supplications of three persons are not refused – a fasting person when breaking the fast, a just ruler, and an oppressed person. (Tirmidhi)
Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) also accepts the du‘as of the person who is in urgent need and a person who is travelling. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) also immediately accepts the du‘as of a righteous person such as a sufi shaykh. Therefore, we should try to ask a righteous person to make du‘a for us since it will be accepted by Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) more easily. The du‘a of a Muslim for another brother or sister whom he/she has not met is also readily accepted by Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala). For example, there are times in a masjid, when the congregation is urged to pray for the health of a sick person. We should join in and pray so that we can benefit from Allah’s blessings.
However, it is very important that we supplicate to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) with adab (respect). A person who makes du‘a should be physically clean and tidy. He should also be very sincere in his supplication to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) and should have faith in Him. The Qur’an says,
Supplicate to your Lord with humility and in private, for He does not love the transgressers. (Surah Al-‘Araf, 7:55)
While making du‘a, a Muslim should also face towards the direction of the Ka‘ba and should recite his du‘a in a median tone. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) says in the Holy Qur’an,
Neither say your Prayer aloud, nor in a low tone, but seek a middle course between. (Surah Bani Israil, 17:110)
A Muslim should have the utmost confidence that his du‘a will be accepted.
We should begin our du‘as by thanking Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) for His infinite bounties that He has sent down upon us and we should send salutations on the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam). The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) has said, “Whoever sends blessings on me once, Allah blesses him ten times.”
In our du‘as, we should first supplicate to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) for forgiveness and security. In a Hadith, a man came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, which is the best supplication?” The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, “Supplicate to your Lord for forgiveness and security in this world and in the Hereafter.” He came again the next day, and then again on the following day and asked him the same thing. The Prophet, (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) gave him the same answer, and then said, “If you are given forgiveness and security in this world and in the Hereafter you have attained success.” (Ibn Majah)
We should also take the utmost advantage of blessed occasions such as the month of Ramadan, the pilgrimage of Hajj, and Fridays to supplicate to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) since du‘a during these occasions is readily accepted by Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala). We should also take advantage of the five daily prayers and of the later part of the night to supplicate to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala). In a Hadith, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) was asked, “What supplication finds the greatest acceptance?’ The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) answered, “A prayer offered in the middle of the latter part of the night, and after the prescribed Prayers.” (Tirmidhi)
As part of du‘a, Muslims recite the Ayat al-Kursi (Verse of the Throne), from Surah al-Baqarah. This verse illustrates the Majesty of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala). Numerous virtues of this verse have been mentioned in the Ahadith. In one Hadith, the Prophet (Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam) states that the jinn and the shayateen (devils) will not enter the house in which Ayat al-Kursi is recited. (Tirmidhi)
The following is the translation of Ayat al-Kursi:
Allah! None is worthy of worship except He, the Ever-Living, the Self-Existing Sustainer. No slumber can seize Him, nor sleep. Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth belongs to Him. Who can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He Knows what is before them and what is behind them. Nor can they get any of His Knowledge except what He Wills. His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth and He feals no fatigue in guarding them both, and He is the Most High, the Most Exalted. (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:255)
Finally, we should not only supplicate to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) to grant us success in the Hereafter and to provide good health for us but we also should also supplicate to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) for the wellbeing of our parents, grandparents, relatives and for the entire Muslim Ummah. We should be concerned about our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters and we should help them or pray for them during times of need and distress. Insha Allah, by making du‘a for them, Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta‘ala) will also shower His Mercy and Blessings on us.
Rajab 1423, September 2002