— Dua (supplication), a kind of quest for the ability to acquire a greater share of the infinite grace and blessings of Allah, holds out innumerable psychological, social, educative and spiritual benefits.
All of us, in order to strengthen our determination, and eliminate the distresses we face, often need a support from a superior source, and it is the dua that lights up the lamp of hope within us.
Obviously, Allah, the Creator of this endless Universe, is our best protector and the source of all goodness, perfection, independence and bestowal.
We always need the help of the Almighty Creator, who is the source of infinite mercy and love. One of the best favours the Almighty has bestowed on human beings is that we have been allowed to supplicate to Allah, and the Almighty has promised to answer our petitions.
In the Glorious Quran, Allah the Exalted, says, “I answer the supplicant when he calls upon Me”. (2:186)
According to a Hadith, “There is nothing dearer to Allah than a servant making Dua to Him.”
The Prophet of Islam (Peace Be Upon Him) says: “Dua is the weapon of the believer, the pillar of faith, and the light of the heavens and the earth”.
The Prophet also says, “Know that He who owns the treasures of the skies and the earth has permitted you to pray to Him, and has promised you acceptance of the prayer. He has commanded you to beg of Him in order that He may give you and to seek His mercy in order that He may have mercy on you”.Most importantly, supplication must be accompanied with action and thanksgiving. One who merely does Dua and fails to act is like the one who wishes to shoot an arrow with a string-less bow.
Just as knowledge is power, supplication is a powerful key to achieving almost anything such as proximity to God, contentment of the heart and soul, complete self-awareness, forgiveness, success in this and the other everlasting world, and every kind of material or spiritual good that you can imagine and ask for.
The power inherent in supplication is the power of the Almighty Creator, who sees, hears and admires the reciter and answers his prayer. The Almighty God can do all things; there is nothing impossible for the Creator of the universe.
The Almighty has invited the people to supplicate to Him. Allah once told Prophet Musa, “O Musa! Ask Me for everything, even the mending of your shoelace”.
A believer who supplicates to Allah sincerely and persistently is guaranteed one of the three things: Either his Dua is answered immediately; or the Dua wards off a difficulty or calamity, or he is given a reward for it in the Hereafter. The act of beseeching Allah for support is a worship in itself that brings peace of mind and contentment.
The Almighty is the owner of limitless treasures with complete knowledge of our past, present and future. So ask anything anytime from Allah, but the best posture for Dua is in the state of prostration, the act when worshippers kneel down, and their
face and palms pressed to the floor, say ‘Glorified be my Lord, the Most High, is free of all errors’.
Can there be a posture more symbolic of man’s relationship with God than the prostration? The human being, who normally walks so tall and proud, bends his body willingly — his waist, his knees, his ankles — until his forehead and nose are pressed to the ground in humility before his Lord.
The loving whisper (Raz-o-Niaz) in supplication with the Lord, who is not a prisoner of time and space like us, is the most uplifting, liberating, empowering, and transforming experienced. It is one of the most powerful and effective acts of worship a human being can engage in. One feels relieved after describing one’s difficulties to the Creator and feels empowered after having communicated with the Almighty.
One should make Dua not only for oneself but also for all the relatives, friends, benefactors, and destitute and struggling people everywhere. Pray for their good in this world and in the Hereafter.
Supplicating to Allah, the Exalted, is not tantamount to inactivity. In fact, we raise our hands and set about praying after utilising all the means available before us to the best of our abilities.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasised the importance of Dua by saying “The difference between those who remember their Creator and those who do not is like the difference between the living and the dead.”
“One day Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it. He asked the Bedouin: “Why don’t you tie down your camel?” The Bedouin answered: “I put my trust in Allah”. The Prophet (pbuh) then said: “Tie your camel first, and then put your trust in Allah.”
Undoubtedly, it is not wise to supplicate without taking personal responsibility first. We are in charge of our life and all the decisions we take are our own. One needs to do the best one can and then make Dua for Allah’s grace.Dua is a kind of worship, and servitude of the Almighty Creator, and by means of it one achieves a fresh attentiveness towards Allah.
The Prophet says, “One who desires to have his supplications answered, should purify his food and earnings and one should not desist from combating evil and enjoining good”.
This is because the supplications of those, who forsake ‘enjoining the good and forbidding the evil’, are not answered.
Scientists too acknowledge now that Dua has a positive impact on the well-being of the individual. Dr Andrew Newsberg, University of Pennsylvania, says prayer performed regularly and with a deep spiritual connection, makes a happier and healthier person.
Allah, the Exalted, made supplication compulsory on us and linked success and felicity to humility in Dua and made it the criterion to distinguish between Iman and Kufr.
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive (to Allah)’’ (Quran: Chapter 2, Verse 45).
“…Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts find rest,’’ (Quran: Chapter 13, Verse 28).
Incorporating supplication into daily life is important. We should always focus on improving our relationship with Allah and the best way to do this is to engage in regular prayer and supplication.
When Prophet Ibraheem (PBUH) was thrown into the fire, he said: HasbunAllahu Wa Ni’mal Wakeel which means Allah alone is Sufficient for us, and what an Excellent Guardian He is! He is the Best Disposer of affairs. So did Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH) when he was told: “A great army of the pagans had gathered against him, so fear them.” He and his companions said: “Allah alone is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)”. [Al-Bukhari].
In the event of fear and anxiety one should seek the help of Allah and frequently recite this verse of the Glorious Quran “HasbunAllahu wa Ni’mal Wakeel” “Allah alone is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).” (3:173).
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