Supplication is to remember God Almighty always in prosperity and adversity,
It is to take Asylum to the Creator in all affairs.
Dua is to seek help from God in all things of the world, and there are correct ways to pray.
In this article, we will inshaAllah talk about and learn how to make dua in the right way.
What is supplication?
• Allah the Almighty says: “If my servants ask you for me, I am a relative who will answer the call of the da’i, if he is called, let them respond to me and believe.”
• In Arabic, the word dua’ is derived from “da’wah”, which means remembrance of Allah SWT and pray to him.
• Aside from daily prayers, Muslims make dua to Allah SWT for forgiveness, guidance, and power throughout the day.
• Muslims can make these personal prayers, or pray in their own words, in any language.
Times and Conditions When Dua can be accepted.
As it is mentioned in the Qur’anic verse “When My servants ask you about Me, then (tell them that) I am near. I respond to the call of one when he prays to Me”.
Allah is always close to us and he hears our prayer, and there are some special moments in life when a Muslim’s prayer is especially accepted.
These appear in Islamic traditions:
1. During travel
2. During illness,
3. Visiting the patient,
4. In the last third of the night,
5. During prostration.
6. Between the adhan and iqaamah (beginning of prayer).
7. Supplication of an oppressed.
8. Dua of parents for their children.
9. On the day of Arafat.
10. The night of fate in the month of Ramadan.
11. Layla-Tul-Qadr (The night of Qadr).
12. Midnight time.
13. Dua after obligatory salah.
14. When it rains.
15. The last moments of Friday.
16. When the rooster is crowing.
17. When performing Hajj or Umrah.
18. When drinking Zum-Zum.
Etiquette of supplication
The Qur’an states that Muslims can call God while sitting, standing, or lying on their sides as in the Ayah:
“who remember Allah standing and sitting, and (lying) on their sides, and ponder on the creation of the heavens and the earth.”
However, it is advisable to be in wudoo ‘, as it is appreciated (mustahab) to pray before, during, and after prayer (Salah).
1. Supplication must be from the heart and with a lower voice.
2. Begin by Praising to Allah and His Messenger, and the majesty and magnificence of Allah SWT.
3. Repeating your dua three times.
4. Show Reverence, dread, supplication, and desire in your dua.
5. Confess guilt, mistakes, ask for forgiveness and repentance of it, and be thankful to Allah SWT for His favors.
6. Don’t be rude in your Dua.
7. When praying, you should raise your hands to your chest, as if your hands are open to receive something.
8. When you finish Dua, you may wipe your hands on their faces and bodies, but there are some doctrines that do not recommend this.
9. The certainty that only Allah SWT will respond and he can help.
10. Be Truthful in your duas, ask for something when you mean it.
In Islam, a Muslim prays only to Allah, so making dua to someone else is Shirk.
11. Tawassul in Dua.
It is the consistency in supplication.
There are many ways of Tawassul, as mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah, one can mention the names of Allah or a good deed done, or a blessed time like Ramadan, or pious person, as well as making dua for a dead person.
12. Patience
Indeed haste towards respond, and impatience may cause of the rejection of the dua, and won’t be acceptable, and the person may leave making dua and will end up the despair of the response of supplication.
13. Purity
In order for Allah SWT to accept a Supplication, it must be for something pure and good. For example, if someone is going to steal something or rob a bank and make dua for that. Will not be accepted.
14. Good intentions
The person making the prayers must have the goodwill of anything he or she asks.
For example, if someone requests an increase in wealth, they should intend this increase in wealth to spend more on the poor, and on relatives.
15. Pay attention to what you are Saying.
A Muslim is asked to pray with an attentive heart. A Muslim must be aware of what he is saying and must believe in his heart that his claim will be answered by Allah.
16. Face towards that Ka’bah during the prayer and ablution if you can.
17. Raise the hands, and exaggerate in raising them, and join the fingers.
18. Call Allah SWT with his different names. (ya Rahman, ya Rabb, ya Samad, etc.)
19. Repentance.
20. Always make Dua, no matter if it is a good time, woe, prosperity or distress.
21. Pray for yourself, and for others.
It is permissible for Muslims to pray for themselves, or to ask Allah SWT for help in guiding, protecting, helping, or blessing a friend, relative, stranger, society, or even for all of humanity.