What is dua, what does it mean? What is the importance, virtue, and benefits of dua? What should be considered when making dua?
It is narrated from Anas ibn Mālik that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Dua (supplication) is the essence of servitude." (Tirmidhī, Daʿawāt, 1/3371)
THE IMPORTANCE AND VIRTUE OF DUA
ʿĀʾisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said:
"The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) liked concise supplications and would leave aside anything else." (Abū Dāwūd, Witr, 23/1482)
ETIQUETTE AND SUBTLETY IN DUA
It is narrated that Fadāla ibn ʿUbayd (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) heard a man making dua in his prayer without praising Allah the Exalted and without invoking blessings upon the Prophet. Upon this, he said:
"–This man has been hasty!" Then he called the man—or someone else—and said to him:
"–When one of you prays, let him first glorify and praise his Lord, then send blessings upon the Prophet, and then supplicate for whatever he wishes!" (Abū Dāwūd, Witr, 23/1481)
IS IT RIGHT TO BE INSISTENT IN DUA?
It is narrated from Ubayy ibn Kaʿb that whenever the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned someone and intended to make dua for him, he would begin by making dua for himself first. (Tirmidhī, Daʿawāt, 10/3385)
IS ANYONE'S DUA ACCEPTED?
It is narrated from Abū Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"The supplication of any one of you will be answered so long as he does not become impatient and say, 'I have supplicated to my Lord but He has not answered me.'" (Bukhārī, Daʿawāt, 22; Muslim, Dhikr, 90, 91. See also Abū Dāwūd, Witr, 23; Tirmidhī, Daʿawāt, 12; Ibn Mājah, Duʿāʾ, 7)
MAKING DUA FOR A FELLOW BELIEVER IN HIS ABSENCE
Abū al-Dardāʾ (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"When a Muslim supplicates for his brother in his absence, the angel says, 'Ameen, and for you the same.'" (Muslim, Dhikr, 86. See also Abū Dāwūd, Witr, 29)
Dua in the Noble Verse
In the noble verse:
"Your Lord has said: 'Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Indeed, those who disdain My worship (dua) will enter Hell in humiliation.'" (Sūrat al-Muʾmin, 60) Thus, our Lord has declared that dua is the fundamental condition of servitude.
WHAT IS DUA, WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Dua, which means to call, to address, to request, to seek help, is "the servant turning to Allah with all his being" or "a human being, whose power is limited and finite, acknowledging his helplessness before an infinite and boundless power and seeking help". Dua is to turn to the Truth (Allah) with the consciousness of servitude, presenting our needs to Him in humility and self-effacement. In fact, through our supplications, rather than the fulfillment of our human desires, we express our reverence, trust, and expectation of everything from our Lord.
When a person making dua is able to turn to Allah with all his heart and seek refuge, he expresses his respect to his Lord, who is closer to him than anything else.
THE EASIEST WAY TO REACH ALLAH
According to the Qur'an, making dua is the easiest way to reach Allah. For He is the One who is closer to man than his jugular vein, who knows and hears everything... Not even a single thought that passes through a person's mind is hidden from Allah. Thus, the Exalted One, dispelling all doubts on this matter and guiding His servants, says:
"And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided." (al-Baqara 2/186)
As long as a person is conscious of his servitude, he can attain value in the sight of Allah. For this reason, a person must turn to Allah, repent to his Lord for his mistakes, and seek help only from Him.
THE IMPORTANCE AND VIRTUE OF DUA
In another hadith:
"Dua is worship itself." (Abū Dāwūd, Witr, 23/1479; Tirmidhī, Tafsīr, 2/2969)
This statement is to draw attention to the importance of dua in servitude. Although dua is worship, there are many other acts of worship as well. The reason why dua holds such great value is due to its nature, which consists of humbly bowing and pleading before Allah in all needs.
THE BENEFITS OF DUA
In narrations mentioning the benefits of dua, it is said:
"Nothing can change destiny except dua, and nothing increases lifespan except good deeds." (Tirmidhī, Qadar, 6/2139; Ibn Mājah, Muqaddima, 10; Ahmad, II, 316, 350; V, 277, 280)
"Shall I tell you something that will save you from your enemies and increase your provision? You make dua to Allah in your nights and days. For dua is the weapon of the believer." (Haythamī, X, 147)
WHAT SHOULD WE PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN MAKING DUA?
Other believers, too, should choose concise and succinct words when presenting their states and needs to Allah. When making dua, a person should consider himself in the presence of his Lord and be mindful of what he utters. Since dua is the presentation of requests to the Exalted Truth, one should ask from Him things that are beneficial for both this world and the Hereafter.
THE PILLARS, WINGS, CAUSES, AND TIMES OF DUA
Hazrat Ibn ʿAtāʾ says that dua has pillars, wings, causes, and times, and:
"If the pillars of dua are complete, it is strengthened; if its wings are appropriate, it soars to the heavens; if it coincides with its times, it is successful; if its causes are present, it reaches its goal. The pillars of dua are presence of the heart, compassion, obedience, and humility; its wings are sincerity; its time is the pre-dawn (sahar); its cause is sending blessings upon Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)." (N. Yeniel-H. Kayapınar, Translation and Commentary of Sunan Abū Dāwūd, V, 479)