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Strengthening our Du`a
This article is a translation by M. Baghazal from portions
of "Shuroot ad-Du`a" by S'aid bin Wahf al Qahtani.
Immersed as we are in this materialistic world, many us forget that material
causes do not produce the desired effects independently of the will of Allah.
We forget to achieve our goals. One such moral cause that has become forgotten
today is Du`a, the humble supplication of a believer to Allah. And whenever
it is remembered, it is not performed in the correct way and comes out weak.
We can strengthen our Du`a by fulfiling the conditions for its acceptance and
observing the manners of its performance.
In the following article, we explore the virtues of Du`a , the conditions for
the acceptance of Du`a, the reasons for the rejection of Du`a, the manners of
Du`a and the best times to say Du`a. By applying this knowledge, our Du`a will
insha`Allah stand a better chance to be accepted.
Many
Virtues Of Du`a Have Been Mentioned In The Qur`an and Sunnah.
From the Qur`an "And when my servants ask you concerning me, [tell them]
I am indeed near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls"
(Qur`an 2:187). In another verse, he said, "And your lord said, invoke
me and I will respond to your invocation" (Qur`an 40:60). He also said,
"Invoke your lord with humility and in secrecy" (Qur`an 7:55). And
he also said, "So invoke Allah making your worship pure for him" (Qur`an
40:14).
From the Sunnah: Al-No`maan-bin-basheer relates that Allah's messenger, sallallaahu
alayhe wa sallam, said "Du`a is Ibadah (worship)" [Abu-Dawood, Tirmithi].
Another example is paraphrased from by Abu-Hurairah's narration of the prophet,
sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, saying, anyone who does not invoke Allah, will
cause Allah to be angry with him. [Ahmed, Tirmithi].
For
One's Du`a To Be Accepted, Certain Conditions Must Apply Like Directing the
Du`a solely to Allah.
Allah said, "Invoke Him only, making your religion sincere to him"
(Qur`an 7:29). In another verse he said, "So invoke Allah making your worship
pure for him" (Qur`an 40:14). Also, the prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam,
said in the hadith narrated by Ibn-Abbas, radhiallahu anhu; "If you ask,
ask Allah and if you seek help, seek help from Allah." [Ahmad, Tirmithi].
Performing
The Du`a In Conformity With The Shari`ah:
The prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: "Whosoever innovates in
this matter of ours something which is not part of it, it will be rejected."
Hence, the Du`a has to be performed according to the sunnah of the prophet.
If a person is sincere but is not following the sunnah, his worship is rejected.
Similarly, if a person is following the sunnah but his work is not sincerely
done for the sake of Allah, his worship is still rejected.
Trust
In Allah and Certainty of Reply:
One must be certain that Allah does whatever he wishes, whenever he wishes.
Allah tells us in the Qur`an, "Verily, his command, when he intends a thing,
is only that he says be-and it is" (Qur`an 36:82). One must believe with
certainty that Allah possesses all treasures. Allah said, "And there is
nothing, but with Us are the stores thereof. And we do not send it down except
with a known measure" (Qur`an 15:21). Also, in the hadith Qudsi narrated
by abu-tharr, Allah revealed through the prophet, "O my servants, were
the first of you and last of you, the human of you and jinn of you to rise up
in one place and make a request from me, and were I to give everyone what they
requested, that would not decrease what I have anymore than a needle decreases
the sea if put into it" (Muslim).
Presence
of The Heart:
Always make sure that your heart is mindful when you are supplicating because
Allah does not answer a Du`a from an inattentive heart. Ibn Rajab says, "This
is the greatest condition for the acceptance of Du`a." Abu-Hurairah narrated
that Allah's messenger, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam said, "Invoke Allah
while you are certain to be answered and know that Allah does not answer a Du`a
from a heart which is inattentive and unmindful" (Tirmithi). Therefore,
one must supplicate with total concentration and avoid distraction.
Determing
and Perseverance In Du`a:
It is a requirement when supplicating, to appeal to Allah with determination.
We must not make any exceptions by saying "O Allah forgive me if you wish".
Abu-hurairah narrated that Allah's messenger, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam said,
"None of you shiould say 'O Allah forgive me if you wish', 'O Allah be
merciful to me if you wish'; but he must appeal to Allah with determination,
for nobody can force Allah to do something against his will" (Tirmithi)
Some people, when supplicating for their brothers, have a habit of saying "May
Allah forgive you InshaAllah,", "May Allah help you InshaAllah."
The use of these word InshaAllah must be avoided in Du`a.
Reasons
That May Cause Our Du`a To Be Rejected Include The Following:
Haraam Conditions:
Haraam eating, drinking and clothing are all strictly prohibited and are major
reasons for the rejection of Du`a. A hadith which supports this point is narrated
by AbuHurairah when the messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam said,
"Allah the Almighty is good and accepts only that which is good. Allah
has commanded the faithful to do that which he commanded the messengers",
he said, "O you messengers, eat of the good things and do right;"
"O you who believe, eat of the good things which we have provided you."
He then mentioned the case of a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled
and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky saying: "O lord, O lord"
while his food is unlawful and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can he be
answered?" (Muslim).
Also, the story of Abu Bakr, the first khalifah, is a great lesson for us. His
daughter 'Aishah narrated that Abubakr's slave brought him his meal as usual.
It was not Abu bakr's habit to ask him where he got it from, as he was certain
that it is from his own halal earnings. One day, as usual, he got him something
to eat and Abubakr ate it without asking about its source. The slave asked,
"Do you know what this is?" He replied "What?" The slave
answered, "In my days of ignorance, I once did some acts of magic for a
person, although I had no idea how to do it, but I managed to cheat him. Only
now did he reward me for it, and I bought you something to eat from it."
Abu Bakr immediately put his hand in his mouth and vomited everything that he
had eaten until his stomach was empty. (Bukhari) In another narration collected
by Ahmad, it was said to Abu Bakr, "May Allah's mercy be upon you, you
did all this although you have only eaten one bite." He replied, "If
it will not come out except with m soul, I will get it out for I have heard
the messenger of Allah saying 'Everybody which is nourished with that which
is unlawful, will be first in the fire' so I was afraid that my body was nourished
with this bite." Therefore, one must make sure that all his food, drink,
and clothing are halaal.
Hastiness
and Abandonment of Du`a
One must be patient for his Du1a to be accepted, as hastiness is one of the
causes for its rejection or disapproval. Abu Hurairah narrated that the prophet
sallallahu alayhe wa sallam said, "The invocation of any one of you is
granted [by Allah] as long as he does not show impatience by saying "I
have invoked Allah but my request has not been answered" (Bukhari and Muslim).
In another narration by abu-hurairah, the prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam,
said, "A servant is granted his request as long as he does not haste."
It was asked, "O messenger of Allah, how does one haste?" He replied,
"he says I have invoked but my invocation has not been answered, so he
gives up and abandons Du`a" (Muslim) Hence, one must not haste since they
reply might be delayed due to: not fulfilling conditions or the delay might
actually be in one's favor. So, whenever you make Du`a, either you are given
the good of what you asked for or an equivalent evil is turned away from you.
Committing
Sins:
Allah said, "Verily, Allah will not change the condition of a people until
they change what is in themselves" (Qur`an 13:11). That is to say, if a
people's condition is good, Allah will maintain it as long as they are grateful
and do not disobey him. Similarly, if the condition of a people is bad, Allah
will maintain if for them as long as they remain ungrateful and insist on disobeying
him. So, one should always avoid committing sins, major or minor, and if he
happened to become a victim of shaitan's evil whisper, he must immediately repent
and seek forgiveness from Allah.
Abandonment
of Obligatory Deeds:
Just as doing good deeds is a reason for the acceptance of Du`a, similarly,
abandoning good deeds is a reason for the rejection of Du`a. Hudhaifah, radhiallahu
anhu, narrated that the prophet , sallallhu alayhe wa sallam, said, "by
him, in whose hand is my soul, you should enjoin good and forbid evil or else
it is likely that Allah will send a punishment upon you and then you will invoke
him and you will not be answered" (Tirmithi). So, for example, how could
those who have constantly neglected and abandoned Fajr prayers in the masjd
except that their Du`a will be answered? And how could so many of those who
do not pay Zakah expect their Du`a to be accepted?
Asking
For a Sin, or To Break the Bondage of Kinship:
The prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, "Any muslim who supplicates
to Allah in a Du`a which contains no sin breaking of kinship, Allah will give
him one of three things: either his Du`a will be immediately answered or, it
will be saved for him in the hereafter, or it will turn away an equivalent amount
of evil (from him)" The companions said".so we will ask for more"
he replied, "Allah is more [generous]." (Ahmad and Tirmithi).
Correct
Manners In Invoking Allah Begin
with thanking Allah and sending
Blessings upon the prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam. Abdullah-bin-Mas`ood
narrated, "I was praying while the prophet, Abu Bakr and Omar were together.
After I sat [in the last tashahhud], I began with praising Allah then I said
blessings upon the prophet, said, "Ask, [and] you will be given."
(Tirmithi) Ibn-Al_Qayyim said, "There are three stages where a person is
recommended to say blessings upon the prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam.
In the first stage, one may say blessings upon the prophet, sallallau alayhe
wa sallam, before beginning Du`a and after thanking Allah. In the second stage,
one may say blessings upon the prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam , before,
during and after Du`a. In the third stage, one may say blessings upon the prophet,
sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, in the beginning and in the end of his Du`a and
request his need in the middle of it.
Du`a
At Times of Trouble And of Pleasure:
One must not make it a habit to remember Allah only at the times of trouble
but he must constantly remember Allah in all circumstances. Abu-Hurairah narrated
that the prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, "[Anyone who is pleased]
that Allah responds to him at the time of trouble and distress, [should] increase
Du`a at the time of calmness" (Tirmithi). It is the characteristic of a
believer that he turns to Allah prior to the time of distress. Allah said, regarding
Yunus when he invoked Allah and Allah answered and saved him: "Had he not
been of those who glorify Allah, he would have indeed remained inside its belly
[i.e., the fish belly] tell the day of resurrection" (Qur`an 37:143-144).
Avoid
Du`a Against Your Family, Your Wealth, And Your Children:
Jabir narrated this hadith about a man who cursed his animal. The prophet, sallallahu
alayhe wa sallam, said "Who is this cursed his animal?" The man replied,
"It is me O messenger of Allah." The prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa
sallam, said, "Get down from it for a cursed one must not escort us. Do
not pray against yourselves, do not pray against your children and do not pray
against your wealth. It might coincide with a time when Allah answered what
you asked for." (Muslim)
Lower
Your Voice In Du`a:
Invoke Allah in a tone as it is mentioned in the following evidences and it
is also closer to sincerity. Allah said, "Invoke your lord with humility
and in secret. He does not like the aggressors" (Qur`an 37:55). And he
also tells us: "And remember your lord by your tongue and within yourself,
humbly and with fear without loudness in words, in the morning and in the afternoon
and be not of those who are neglectful" (Qur`an 37:205). Abu-Moosa Al-Ash`ari
narrated: "We were with the prophet in a journey so the people started
raising their voice while making takbeer. The prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa
sallam, 'O people, calm down, you are not calling one who is All-Hearing, Near
and he is with you" (bukhari and muslim) This means that Allah knows and
sees all that you do.
Make
Du`a With Perseverance:
We must attend to our Du`a with perseverance, repetition and persistence. Ibn-Rajab
discusses this aspect, in his book Jami`Al`Uloom wal Hikam. He suggests that
we invoke Allah with his names and attributes as this is among the greatest
means of having our Du`a accepted. A hadith that provides evidence for the necessity
of perseverance and persistence in Du`a reported by muslim where the prophet,
sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, "The man, having journeyed far, is disheveled
and dusty, spreads out his hands in the sky [saying] O lord, O Lord"
Repetiton:
It is preferable to repeat your du`a three times as it is more likely to be
answered. An evidence of this is mentioned in the following authentic hadith
narrated by Abdullah bin Masood. "Once the prophet was offering salat [prayers]
at the ka`ba. Abu-Jahl was sitting with one of his companions. One of them said
to the others, "Who among you will bring the abdominal contents of a camel
and put it on the back of Muhammed, when he prostrates?" The most unfortunate
of them got up and brought it. He waited till the prophet prostrated and then
placed it on his back between his shoulders. I was watching but could not do
anything. I wished I had some people with me to hold out against them. They
started laughing and falling on one another. Allah's messenger was in prostration
and did not lift his head up till Fatima (the prophet's daughter) came and threw
[the camels's abdominal contents] off his back. He raised his head and said
three times, O Allah punish Quraish. So it was hard for abu-jahl and his companions
when the prophet invoked Allah against them as they had the conviction that
the prayers and invocations were accepted in this city (Makkah). The prophet
said, "O Allah punish Abu-jahl, Utba-bin-Rabia, Shaiba-bin-Rabia, Al-Waleed-bin
Utba, Umayya-bin Khalaf and Uqba-bin-AbiMuait. And he counted the seventh whose
name I cannot recall. By Allah in whose hands my soul is, I saw the dead bodies
of those persons who were counted by Allah's messenger in the Qalib (one of
the wells) of Badr." (Bukhari and Muslim)
Confess Your Sins With Regret And Gratefully Admit Allah's Mercy Bestowed Upon
You:
When making Du`a, confess your sins with sincere regret for your mistakes although
Allah is aware of all your actions. Also it is worthwhile to acknowledge all
of Allah's mercy bestowed upon you. In the hadith narrated by Shaddbin-Aws,
the prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam taught us Sayyid-ul_Istighfar: "aboo-u
laka bini` matika `alyya wa aboo-u bidhambi fagh-firli, fa-innahu la yaghfir-u-thunuba
illa anta" (meaning: I acknowledge your favor upon favor me and I acknowledge
my sin, so forgive me for verily, none can forgive sin except you ) (bukhari).
Face
the Qiblah:
One of the good manners when making Du`a is to face the qiblah however, this
is not compulsory. Abdullah bin Zaid narrated that rasullullah came to this
place of worship to pray istisqaa for rain so he invoked Allah and prayed for
rain. Then he faced the qiblah and overturned his gown (bukhari).
Raise
your Hands In Du`a:
It is a recommended practice to raise one's hands in making Du`a it was done
by the prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, at different occasions. AbuMoosa
AlAshari narrated, "The prophet invoked and raised his hands and I saw
the whiteness of his armpits." (Bukhari ) In another hadith, Salman narrated
that the messenger of Allah said, "Your lord Tabaraka-wa Ta`ala is living
and generous. He is ashamed of his servant if he raises his hands to him to
return them unanswered" (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi).
Make
Wudhu Before Du`a:
Although it is not compulsory, one is recommended to supplicate Allah while
he is in a state of wudhu (ablution). And evidence of this is in the narration
of abumoosa when his uncle ubaid abi amir, prior to his death, sent him to the
prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallaam, after the battle of Hunain and instructed
him to ask the prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, to invoke Allah and seek
forgiveness for him so the messenger of Allah requested some water, performed
wudhu, raised his hands and said, "O Allah forgive Abi-Amir" (Bukhair
and Muslim).
Cry
In Du`a With The Fear Of Allah:
Abdullah-bin-`Umar narrated that the prophet recited the verse in which Ibrahim
alayhesalaam is invoking Allah: "O my Lord they [the idols] have indeed
led astray many among mankind. But whoever follows me, he verily is of me. And
whoever disobeys me, still you are indeed Most Forgiving, Most Merciful"
(Ibrahim 36). In another verse, Isa alayhessalaam is invoking Allah: "If
you punish them, they are your slaves, and if you forgive them, verily you-only
you are the Almighty, the All-wise" (Al-Maa`idah, 118). And he then raised
his hands and said, "Allahumma Ummati, Ummati (O Allah, my nation, my nation)"
and then he cried. So Allah said, O Jibreel, go to Muhammed, although Allah
is aware, and ask him 'What makes you cry?' So Jibreel approached the prophet
and asked him. So Allah's messenger informed him of what he said, although Allah
is aware. So Allah said to him, O Jibreel, go to Muhammed and tell him: "We
will make you content with regard to your nations and will not mistreat you."
(Muslim) Therefore, the prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam gave us an example
to sincerely cry when beseeching Allah during supplication.
Make
Du`a For Yourself Before Making Du`a For Others:
It is Sunnah in Du`a to start with yourself prior to mentioning others as was
collected by Tirmidhi in the narration of Ubay bin Ka'ab that if someone was
mentioned to the prophet, he would invoke Allah for him but would begin with
himself. However, it was also narrated of Allah's Messenger that, on certain
occasions, he would not begin with himself, (for example, when he supplicated
for Ibn-Abbas, Anas and Um-Isma'eel, as was mentioned by Imam Muslim in his
collection of authentic hadith).
Do Not
Transgress In Du`a:
When appealing to Allah in Du`a we should not get into much detail by asking
for the different rewards of Jannah. If a person is granted Jannah, he will
be granted Jannah and all that is present in it. It was reported of Abi Nu`amah
that Abdullah-bin-Mughaffal heard his son palace on the right of the paradise
if I were to enter it". So he said, "Dear son, ask Allah for Paradise
and seek Messenger of Allah saying, "There will come in this nation people
who will transgress (or exceed) in ablution and Du`a" (Abu Dawood).
Make
Du`a For Your Parents:
It is good to mention one's Muslims parents (dead or alive) in invocation for
the great favor they owe us, a favor which can never be compensated. Allah said,
"And lower unto them the using of submission and humility through mercy
and say, 'My Rab, bestow on them your mercy as they did raise me when I was
young" (Qur`an 17:24). In Surah Nuh, He said, "My Lord, forgive me
and my parents and whoever enters my home as a believer, and all the believing
men and women. And increase not upon the oppressors but destruction" (Qur`an
71:28).
Make
Du`a For The Believers:
Also, one is recommended to remember the Muslims and the Mu`mins around the
globe in his invocation. Allah said "Ask forgiveness for your sin and also
for the believing men and women" (Qur`an 47:19).
Ask
Allah Alone:
Instead of complaining t people when stuck by calamity, one must make it a habit
to ask Allah alone for refuge. However, there is no harm to mention your problem
to people and share their opinion. In the hadith narrated by Ibn-Abbas, the
prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said to him while Ibn-Abbas was riding
behind him on the same mount "young man, I shall teach you some words [of
advice]: Be mindful of Allah and you will find him in front of you. If you ask,
ask only Allah and if you seek help, seek help only from Allah. And know that
if all the nations were to gather together to benefit you, they would benefit
you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and if they
gather together to harm you, they would harm you only with something that Allah
had already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages are
dry." (Tirmithi)
There
Are Special Times When Du`a Is
More Likely To Be Accepted And It:
Is recommended to invoke Allah at these times. Some examples are, Ramadhan,
And Expecially Lailatul Qadr: One of the greatest times to invoke Allah is in
the holy month of Ramadhan, particularly that last then nights and especially
on lailatul Qadr. The preferred du`a on lailatul Qadr is: "O Allah ! You
are pardoning and you love to pardon, so pardon me." (al-Tirmithi and Ibn
Majah)
After
The Obligatory Prayers:
Abi-Umamah Al-Bahili narrated that, it was said to the prophet, "O messenger
of Allah, which du`a is most likely to be heard?" He said, "(In the
depth of the last part of the night and after the obligatory prayers" (Tirmidhi)
In The
Last Part Of The Night:
Abu-Hurairah narrated that Allah's messenger said, "Our Lord Tabaraka-wa-Ta`ala
descends every night to the sky of the world, when the last third of the night
remains and he says, 'Is there anyone to invoke me so that I may respond to
his invocation? Is there anyone to ask me for something so that I may grant
him his request? Is there anyone to ask for forgiveness so that furthermore,
Allah praised those who spend the last third of the night praying and in invocation,
seeking forgiveness. He said, "They used to sleep but little by night and
in the hours before dawn they were found asking for forgiveness" (Az-Zariyat,
17-18)
Between
Adhaan And Iqamah:
One must try to make it a habit whenever he hears the adhaan (call for prayer)
that he who immediately departs for the mosque is among the most fortunate who
invoke Allah between Adhaan and Iqamah for their invocation is accepted. Anas-bin
Malik narrated that Allah's messenger said, "The invocation is not rejected
[when made] between adhaan and iqamah, so do invoke" (Tirmithi, Abu Dawood,
and Ahmed). Sahl-bin-Sa`ad narrated that Allah's messenger said, "Two [invocations]
are not rejected or rarely rejected; Du`a at the time of adhaan (call for prayer)
and at the time of distress and when [two armies] encounter each other."
In another narration , "at the time of rain" (Abu Dawood)
An Hour
In The Day Of Jumu`ah:
Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah's messenger mentioned the day of Jumu`ah and
said, "There is an hour which if met by a muslim servant who standing in
prayer and he requests anything from Allah, He will grant it to him" (Bukhari
and Muslim). In another hadith, Abu-Moosa Al-Ash`ari said, Abdullah bini `Umar
said, "Did you hear your father relating from rasulullah about the hour
of Jumu`ah?" I said 'yes', I heard him saying, he heard Allah's messenger
saying 'It is between the time when the Imam sits [for Khutbah] till the prayer
is over" (Muslim). Ibn-Al-Qayyim, in his book Zad Al-Ma`ad, in agreement
with other scholars, have favored the opinion that 'The hour on the day of Jumu`ah
is after Asr.' However, a Muslim must try his best to spend the whole day of
Jumu`ah in the remembrance of Allah, seeking his forgiveness and invoking him.
In Salah
After At-Tashahhud:
Invocation after finishing At-Tashahhud, prior to Salaam, is recommended as
was the practice of the prophet. Abdullah bin Mas`ood narrated: "I was
praying while the prophet, Abu Bakr and Omar were together. After I sat [in
the last Tashahhud], I began [saying Du`a' by praising Allah then I sent prayers
on the prophet and then I prayed for myself. The prophet said, "Ask and
you will be given, ask you will be given" (Tirmithi).
When
In Sujuud:
Abu Hurarairah narrated that Allah's messenger said, "The closest a person
gets to his Rab is during Sujuud [prostration]. Therefore, increase Du`a."
One must try to invoke Allah during Sujuud, be it in Fajr (obligatory) or Nafil
(supererogatory) prayer.