How to Make Dua (Supplication): What is Required for Accepted Prayers
Dua (supplication) is not merely a simple act of worship, but rather an orientation towards the Exalted Allah, remembering Him, and having faith in Him. Therefore, it is important to adhere to certain procedures, manners, and rules so that one’s dua may be accepted.
1. Dua Should Begin with A’uzu, Bismillah, Praise of Allah, and Prayers Upon the Prophet
Before making dua, a Muslim should be spiritually and physically prepared; if possible, one should perform ablution (wudu) and face the qibla (direction of prayer) (Ibn Mâce, Dua, 13). As with every virtuous deed, dua should begin by reciting a’uzu and bismillah after performing two rak’ahs (units of prayer).
Verses and hadith command that animals be slaughtered mentioning Allah’s name (An’am, 6/18), food and drink be consumed with bismillah (Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, 15), the Qur’an be recited in Allah’s name (Alqah, 96/1) and with a’uzu (Nahl, 16/98). Since dua is an act of worship, it should begin with a’uzu and bismillah, followed by praise of Allah and prayers upon our Prophet.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) began his du’as with, “Glory to the Most High, the Forgiving! I am free from all imperfections” (Ahmed, IV, 54; Hakim, Dua, I, 498), and said, “When one of you makes dua, let him begin with praise and glory for Allah, then send prayers upon me, and then make the supplication he desires” (Tirmidhi, Ad-Dawawat, 66; Abu Dawud, Salat, 358).
Sahabi (companion) Umar ibn al-Khattab said, “Dua does not rise/is not accepted between the earth and sky until prayers are sent upon the Prophet” (Tirmidhi, Salat, 347).
2. Before Dua, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness Should Be Made
The dua of a servant who commits sins and does not stay away from prohibitions is not worthy of acceptance. The following hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is noteworthy:
“A man came, covered with dust from travel, raising his hands to the sky saying, ‘O Lord, O Lord!’ But his food was unlawful, his drink was unlawful, his clothing was unlawful, and his provision was unlawful. How can such a one’s dua be accepted?” (Muslim, Zakat, 19).
Therefore, a believer should, before beginning dua, confess their sins, sincerely repent to Allah, and seek His forgiveness.
3. Hands Should Be Raised Towards the Sky and Wiped Over the Face at the End of Dua
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) raised his hands towards the sky when making dua, so that his armpits were visible. Sahabi Abu Musa al-Ash’ari said, “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) made dua and raised his hands. I saw the whiteness of his armpits” (Bukhari, Ad-Adhan, 22). Similarly, Sahabi Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would raise his hands (towards the sky) until the whiteness of his armpits was visible” (Ibn Hibban, Ad-Adhiya, No: 877). Abdullah ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“When you ask Allah for something, ask with the palms of your hands, and do not ask with the backs of your hands, and wipe your face with your hands (at the end of dua)” (Hakim, Ad-Adhiya, I, 536).
4. Dua Should Be Made With Allah’s Beautiful Names
The Exalted Allah commands in the Qur’an, “All the beautiful names belong to Allah. So call upon Him with those beautiful names” (Ar-Ra’d, 13/95) and states in another verse, “Say: Whether you invoke [Allah] by His name or Rahmān, is the same. Indeed, He is most high above everything and worthy of praise” (Isra’, 17/110).
5. Blessed Days and Nights Should Be Preferred
Dua can be made at any time and in any place. However, there are hadith regarding the acceptance of du’as made on the Day of Arafah, during the nights of Ramadan, on Eid days and nights, in the early hours of the morning, at one-third of the night, at dawn and dusk, between the adhan (call to prayer) and iqama (the call to prayer before Salat), in prostration, and after prayers.
6. Dua Should Be Made With Sincerity and Awareness
While reciting the words of dua with the tongue, the mind should not wander to other thoughts; rather, one should direct all of their being towards Allah, making dua knowingly, willingly, with sincerity, and devotion.
7. Dua Should Be Made With Belief in Acceptance
The Exalted Allah has a beautiful name: “As-Samī’u’d-Du’ā” (the Hearing of Supplication / the Acceptor of Prayers). A believer should make their du’as believing that Allah will accept them.
8. Only Allah Should Be Addressed in Dua
Dua should only be made to Allah, and no other intermediaries should be introduced. We express this in the Fatiha (opening chapter) of the Qur’an that we recite in every prayer: “It is You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help.”
9. Allah’s Beautiful Names, Righteous Deeds, and Virtuous Actions Should Be Taken as Means
A believer should take Allah’s beautiful names, the righteous and virtuous deeds they have performed, as means for the acceptance of their dua.
10. At the End of Dua, “Amen,” “Accept My Prayer,” Should Be Said, Prayers Upon the Prophet Should Be Sent, and Surah Fatiha Should Be Recited
At the end of dua,