Du'a has a grand status in Islam. It is the foundation for all worship. It is the greatest obedience and most beneficial way to draw close to Allah. The Qur'an begins and ends with a Du'a. Allah says in the Qur'an: ((And your Lord says, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.” Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.)) (40:60). There is also a well-known Hadith that “Du'a is (a form) of worship.” (Jama'i Tirmidhi) My dear brothers and sisters in Islam, Du'a is an act of humility and a great need of the Son of Adam from cradle to grave. When one's Iman in the Names and Attributes of Allah increases, his need of Him increases and he calls on to Him in all circumstances. Du'a is the greatest blessing and most exceptional guidance. Allah says in the Qur'an: ((So We responded to him, and We gave to him (Yahya), and amended for him his wife. Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive.)) (21:90) Allah loves those who call on to Him. He loves to see them expressing their wants, even though He is not in need of their worship and obedience. The reality of Du'a and Qadr (Pre-decree) Allah, the Almighty averts pre-decree through Du'a. There is a deep connection between faith in Allah and faith in Pre-decree, good and evil. The first and the last beliefs work like a thermometer. What is meant by this analogy is that the greater the body temperature the greater the rise in mercury. Greater the heart's understanding of the Names and Attributes of Allah, greater will be the acceptance of Qadr which will eventually lead to contentment of the heart and dependence on Allah only. Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Nothing averts the decree except supplication and nothing but piety prolongs life.” (Tirmidhi) In another Hadith, it is mentioned “Caution will not benefit against predestination, but Du'a benefits (matters) that have occurred and those that are (yet) to occur, And indeed, Du'a meets with a calamity, and fights it until the day of Judgment.” (Narrated by Hakim). Some important etiquettes of making Dua'a. 1) Du'a must be preceded by repentance of the slave. Allah says in the Quran: (( “And said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver.He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers. What is [the matter] with you that you do not attribute to Allah [due] grandeur”)) (71:10-12) 2) One must not call on to other than Allah. He must not seek refuge or help from other than Allah in matters pertaining only to Allah. Allah says in the Qur'an : ((And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him.)) (65: 3) This is because it is only Allah's right that we humble ourselves before Him. 3) One must have absolute faith that his Du'a will be answered. It is narrated in a Hadith: “The supplication of every one of you is granted if he does not grow impatient and says: I supplicated but it was not granted.” (Bukhari and Muslim). 4)The main purpose of Du'a is presence of the heart. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “ Know that Allah does not answer the Dua'a from a heedless heart”- (Thirmidhi). 5) Choose the best times for the acceptance of Du'a, (e.g. the time between Adhan and Iqamah and the last part of the night) although Du'a is acceptable at all times. 6) One's heart must be filled with fervent desire, reverence and humility when he is making Du'a. All the Prophets had a high status but when it came to Du'a, they were the most humble ones. The Holy Qur'an states: ((And Ayub, when he called to his Rabb, “Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful.)) (21:83) ((He said (Yaqoob (May Allah be pleased with him)), “I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah,)) (12:86) 7) Last but not the least one must remember to make Du'a. __
