(Dua - is direct communication with Allaah, while you reveal and ask the One who is in control, Who knows you better than you know yourself for all that you want. And your Lord said: “Invoke Me, (i.e. believe in My Oneness (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation) 40:60)
وَقَالَ رَبُّكُـمْ ادْعُونِى أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ
(40:60). And your Lord said: "Call upon Me, I will answer you.
40:60. உங்கள் இறைவன் கூறுகிறான்: “என்னையே நீங்கள் பிரார்த்தியுங்கள்; நான் உங்(கள் பிரார்த்தனை)களுக்கு பதிலளிக்கிறேன்;
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ2:186-
2: 186 - When my servants ask thee concerning Me I am indeed close (to them); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me; let them also with a will listen to My call and believe in Me; that they may walk in the right way. (So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright)
2:186. (நபியே!) என் அடியார்கள் என்னைப்பற்றி உம்மிடம் கேட்டால்; “நிச்சயமாக நான் சமீபமாகவே இருக்கிறேன், பிரார்த்தனை செய்பவரின் பிரார்த்தனைக்கு அவர் பிரார்த்தித்தால் விடையளிக்கிறேன்; அவர்கள் என்னிடமே(பிரார்த்தித்துக்) கேட்கட்டும்; என்னையே நம்பட்டும். அப்பொழுது அவர்கள் நேர்வழியை அடைவார்கள்” என்று கூறுவீராக.
Prophet(sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam)) said: Allaah is angry with those who do not ask Him for anything (Tirmidhi)
So even though a person believes in divine decree, he must at the same time strive all he can to ensure that the desired goal occurs. And du'a is the means that one uses to achieve the desired goal that one has, and this in no way contradicts the destiny that has been written for that person. This stance is clarified by the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam's) hadith reported by Thawban, that he, (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Nothing increases one's lifespan except good deeds, and nothing repels divine decree except du’a.. " (Al-Tirmidhi and Al-Hakim).
This hadith informs us in no uncertain terms that the only way we can repel some divine decree is through du'a.
So if a person puts in the necessary effort, the results will be achieved, and this is also destined. So both the means to achieve a goal, and the fulfillment of the goal itself, are already decreed.
For example, Mu'adh ibn Jaba (ra) reported that the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:"Caution will be of no benefit against divine decree, but du' a benefits all things, whether they come down or not.
So no matter how cautious a person is, he cannot escape what is written for him, simply because Allah controls everything, and nothing escapes His knowledge or power. However, by turning to Allah through du'a , it is possible to avert something that might have been decreed.
Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: unpleasant matter has been preordained for us, but only if we do not make du'a to avert it from us. So if du'a is made, then this matter will not occur or be fulfilled, whereas if du'a is left, the misfortune will occur. Another narration in al-Tirmidhi also supports this.
The Prophet( sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:"There is no Muslim on the face of the earth that asks Allah for anything except that Allah gives it to him, or averts from him a similar evil, as long as he does not ask for something evil or for breaking the ties of kinship" (Al-Tirmidhi).
From this narration, the benefits of du'a are made clear, and its value is understood. For not only is a person rewarded for making a du'a, but it is also a cause of repelling an evil that was destined for him, and in obtaining the good that he was expecting.
To summarise, then, divine decree (qadr) cannot be used as an excuse not to make du'a. For, just as one strives to ensure that one attains worldly needs, of food, drink and family, so too must one strive in one’s religious deeds to attain the desired goal. Du'a is intrinsically related to qadr; in fact, it is a part of one's qadr. Allah has already decreed that a certain matter will be granted to a servant, or an evil averted from him, if he makes du'a. And if he were to leave du'a, then the desired goal would not be reached. Hence it is the Sunnah of the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) to make the following du'a during the witr prayer: "...Bless me in what You have given me. And avert and turn away from me the evil that has been decreed for me, for verily You decree (all things), and none can decree against You..." (Al-Tirmidhi and Al-Nasa'i)
So the Muslim turns to Allah and prays to Him so that any and all evil can be averted from him.
Some important etiquettes of making Du’a.
1) Du’a must be preceeded by repentance of the slave. Allah says in the Quran: ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord.’
2) One must not call on to other than Allah . He must not seek refuge or help from other than Allah .
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). One’s heart must be filled with fervent desire, reverence and humility when he is making Du’a.
5) Choose the best times for the acceptance of Du’a, Among the best times is the time just before Fajr (dawn), the last third of the night, the last hour of Jumu’ah (Friday), when rain is falling, and between the Adhaan and iqaamah. Among the best places are mosques in general, and al-Masjid al-Haraam [in Makkah] in particular, although Du’a is acceptable at all times.
6 “When any one of you makes dua, let him start by praising Allah, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), then after that let him ask for whatever he wants.” Al-Albani said: it is a saheeh hadeeth. (See: Saheeh Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 2765.
When you are starting your du’a, you should always start by saying: Bismillah- ir- Rahman- ir- Raheem. 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 Kind and 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).
Other aspects of the etiquette of making du’aa’, although they are not waajib (obligatory), are: to face the Qiblah; to make du’aa’ in a state of tahaarah (purity. It is also prescribed to raise the hands when making du’aa’.
The reason why one’s du’aa’ is not answered may be because he has done something that Allaah has forbidden, such as having haraam wealth – whether it be food or drink or clothing or accommodation or transportation, or he has taken a haraam job, or the stain of sin is still in his heart, or he is following bid’ah (innovation) in religion, or his heart has been overtaken by negligence, or when the person who is making du’aa’ is weak in himself, because he is faint-hearted in his turning towards Allaah .
Note: Prophet (Sal) said: “ There are three types of people who attend the Friday Prayer. (1) One is a man who is present but speaks during the Khutbah and that is his portion of the prayer. (2) Second is a man who is present and makes supplications. In his case, Allah may give him what he asks, if He wishes, or He may not give him what he asks. (3) Third is a person who is present and observes silence and does not step over the necks of the Muslims nor does he harm anyone. For him, there is an expiation from that Friday until the previous Friday plus an additional three days
I therefore advise you to make du'a, O! servants of Allah"(Ahmad, Abu Ya'la and al-Tabarani)!
The word du'a in Arabic means "calling" - the act of remembering Allah and calling upon Him.Aside from the daily prayers, Muslims are encouraged to call upon Allah for forgiveness, guidance, and strength throughout the day. Muslims can make these personal supplications or prayers (du'a) in their own words, in any language, but there are also recommended examples from the Qur'an and Sunnah.
وَقَالَ رَبُّكُـمْ ادْعُونِى أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ
(40:60). And your Lord said: "Call upon Me, I will answer you.
40:60. உங்கள் இறைவன் கூறுகிறான்: “என்னையே நீங்கள் பிரார்த்தியுங்கள்; நான் உங்(கள் பிரார்த்தனை)களுக்கு பதிலளிக்கிறேன்;
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ2:186-
2: 186 - When my servants ask thee concerning Me I am indeed close (to them); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me; let them also with a will listen to My call and believe in Me; that they may walk in the right way. (So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright)
2:186. (நபியே!) என் அடியார்கள் என்னைப்பற்றி உம்மிடம் கேட்டால்; “நிச்சயமாக நான் சமீபமாகவே இருக்கிறேன், பிரார்த்தனை செய்பவரின் பிரார்த்தனைக்கு அவர் பிரார்த்தித்தால் விடையளிக்கிறேன்; அவர்கள் என்னிடமே(பிரார்த்தித்துக்) கேட்கட்டும்; என்னையே நம்பட்டும். அப்பொழுது அவர்கள் நேர்வழியை அடைவார்கள்” என்று கூறுவீராக.
Prophet(sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam)) said: Allaah is angry with those who do not ask Him for anything (Tirmidhi)
So even though a person believes in divine decree, he must at the same time strive all he can to ensure that the desired goal occurs. And du'a is the means that one uses to achieve the desired goal that one has, and this in no way contradicts the destiny that has been written for that person. This stance is clarified by the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam's) hadith reported by Thawban, that he, (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Nothing increases one's lifespan except good deeds, and nothing repels divine decree except du’a.. " (Al-Tirmidhi and Al-Hakim).
This hadith informs us in no uncertain terms that the only way we can repel some divine decree is through du'a.
So if a person puts in the necessary effort, the results will be achieved, and this is also destined. So both the means to achieve a goal, and the fulfillment of the goal itself, are already decreed.
For example, Mu'adh ibn Jaba (ra) reported that the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:"Caution will be of no benefit against divine decree, but du' a benefits all things, whether they come down or not.
So no matter how cautious a person is, he cannot escape what is written for him, simply because Allah controls everything, and nothing escapes His knowledge or power. However, by turning to Allah through du'a , it is possible to avert something that might have been decreed.
Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: unpleasant matter has been preordained for us, but only if we do not make du'a to avert it from us. So if du'a is made, then this matter will not occur or be fulfilled, whereas if du'a is left, the misfortune will occur. Another narration in al-Tirmidhi also supports this.
The Prophet( sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:"There is no Muslim on the face of the earth that asks Allah for anything except that Allah gives it to him, or averts from him a similar evil, as long as he does not ask for something evil or for breaking the ties of kinship" (Al-Tirmidhi).
From this narration, the benefits of du'a are made clear, and its value is understood. For not only is a person rewarded for making a du'a, but it is also a cause of repelling an evil that was destined for him, and in obtaining the good that he was expecting.
To summarise, then, divine decree (qadr) cannot be used as an excuse not to make du'a. For, just as one strives to ensure that one attains worldly needs, of food, drink and family, so too must one strive in one’s religious deeds to attain the desired goal. Du'a is intrinsically related to qadr; in fact, it is a part of one's qadr. Allah has already decreed that a certain matter will be granted to a servant, or an evil averted from him, if he makes du'a. And if he were to leave du'a, then the desired goal would not be reached. Hence it is the Sunnah of the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) to make the following du'a during the witr prayer: "...Bless me in what You have given me. And avert and turn away from me the evil that has been decreed for me, for verily You decree (all things), and none can decree against You..." (Al-Tirmidhi and Al-Nasa'i)
So the Muslim turns to Allah and prays to Him so that any and all evil can be averted from him.
Some important etiquettes of making Du’a.
1) Du’a must be preceeded by repentance of the slave. Allah says in the Quran: ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord.’
2) One must not call on to other than Allah . He must not seek refuge or help from other than Allah .
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). One’s heart must be filled with fervent desire, reverence and humility when he is making Du’a.
5) Choose the best times for the acceptance of Du’a, Among the best times is the time just before Fajr (dawn), the last third of the night, the last hour of Jumu’ah (Friday), when rain is falling, and between the Adhaan and iqaamah. Among the best places are mosques in general, and al-Masjid al-Haraam [in Makkah] in particular, although Du’a is acceptable at all times.
6 “When any one of you makes dua, let him start by praising Allah, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), then after that let him ask for whatever he wants.” Al-Albani said: it is a saheeh hadeeth. (See: Saheeh Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 2765.
When you are starting your du’a, you should always start by saying: Bismillah- ir- Rahman- ir- Raheem. 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 Kind and 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).
Other aspects of the etiquette of making du’aa’, although they are not waajib (obligatory), are: to face the Qiblah; to make du’aa’ in a state of tahaarah (purity. It is also prescribed to raise the hands when making du’aa’.
The reason why one’s du’aa’ is not answered may be because he has done something that Allaah has forbidden, such as having haraam wealth – whether it be food or drink or clothing or accommodation or transportation, or he has taken a haraam job, or the stain of sin is still in his heart, or he is following bid’ah (innovation) in religion, or his heart has been overtaken by negligence, or when the person who is making du’aa’ is weak in himself, because he is faint-hearted in his turning towards Allaah .
Note: Prophet (Sal) said: “ There are three types of people who attend the Friday Prayer. (1) One is a man who is present but speaks during the Khutbah and that is his portion of the prayer. (2) Second is a man who is present and makes supplications. In his case, Allah may give him what he asks, if He wishes, or He may not give him what he asks. (3) Third is a person who is present and observes silence and does not step over the necks of the Muslims nor does he harm anyone. For him, there is an expiation from that Friday until the previous Friday plus an additional three days
I therefore advise you to make du'a, O! servants of Allah"(Ahmad, Abu Ya'la and al-Tabarani)!
The word du'a in Arabic means "calling" - the act of remembering Allah and calling upon Him.Aside from the daily prayers, Muslims are encouraged to call upon Allah for forgiveness, guidance, and strength throughout the day. Muslims can make these personal supplications or prayers (du'a) in their own words, in any language, but there are also recommended examples from the Qur'an and Sunnah.
