What is the importance of Dua? What is its dictionary and terminology meaning? What is the meaning of Dua in the Quran? What are the Quranic concepts that mean Dua?
“Your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me, and I will respond to you.'” (Surah Mu’min [Ghafir], 60)
“Call upon your Lord in humility and without fanfare, and without raising your voice. Indeed, He does not like transgressors.” (Surah A‘râf, 55)
It is the recognition of a servant’s own powerlessness, weakness, and frailty before the majesty, boundless and infinite power of their Lord, confessing it with deep love and respect, and seeking help from Him. Declaring the Oneness of Allah and praising Him is both remembrance (dhikr) and supplication (dua).
It is narrated from Nu’mân Ibni Bashiir radıyallahu anh that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem said:
“Dua is an act of worship.” (Abu Dawood, Vitr 23; Tirmidhi, Tafsir al-Qur’an 3, 41, Daawat 1. See also Ibn Majah, Duaa 1)
A. DICTIONARY AND TERMINOLOGY MEANING
In the dictionary; meaning “to call, to summon, to invite, to ask for, and to seek help,” Dua, in religious terminology, means that a person acknowledges their own powerlessness and weakness before the majesty of Allah, with love and respect, and seeks His grace, blessings, and help, both in this world and in the Hereafter; to supplicate Him to remove distress, grief, and calamity; to seek forgiveness for sins, errors, and shortcomings; to implore and beseech Him, and to present one’s condition and make supplications. (see Raghib and Ibn Manzur, d.’a.v. entry)
The concept of Dua includes both “respect” and “remembrance of Allah” (ta’zîm and dhikr) and “invocation” and “requesting” (nidâ and isti’ana).
Dua is the act of a limited, finite, and powerless human being turning to the boundless, infinite, and powerful Lord with all their being, making requests and supplications to Him, establishing a bridge and dialogue with Him. The person who makes dua is aware that, within all their weakness, powerlessness, and need, they can only attain their desires through the grace and help of the All-Mighty Allah. With this awareness, dua is an indication of the believer’s faith, trust, and submission to their Creator. It is for this reason that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him);
“There is nothing more precious than Dua to Allah.” (Ibn Hibban, Adduaa’, No: 870; Ahmed, II, 362; Tirmidhi, Daawat, 1; Ibn Majah, Duaa, 1)
B. THE MEANING OF DUA IN THE QUR’AN
“Dua,” a multifaceted concept, has been used in the Qur’an in seven different meanings. (see Abu al-Faraaj, p. 292-295)
Different Meanings of Dua in the Quran
- 1. Invocation (nidâ): “You will be summoned to a Day when you will respond to Him, and you will think that you have stayed but a little while.” (Isra’, 17/52; see also Anbiya, 21/45; Fâtir, 35/14; Qamar, 54/10)
- 2. Seeking help (isti’aza): “If you should doubt what We have sent down to Our servant, then bring a chapter like it from what you produce or call upon your allies if you are truthful.” (Bakara, 2/23; see also Yunus, 10/38; Mu’min, 40/26)
- 3. Word (kavl): “When the punishment came to them, they said, ‘Indeed, we were wrongdoers.’” (A‘râf, 7/5; see also Yunus, 10/10; Anbiya, 21/15)
- 4. Asking or seeking understanding (istifhâm): “O you who believe! When the Messenger of Allah calls you to what will give you life, then respond to him and listen…” (Anfal, 8/24; see also Bakara, 2/68; Yunus, 10/25; Kahf, 18/58; Mu’minun, 23/73; Nuh, 71/5, 8)
- 5. Supplication and entreaty (su’al): “My servants will say, ‘Indeed, our Lord is near, He responds to the supplications.’” (Bakara, 2/186; see also A‘râf, 7/134; Zukhruf, 43/49; Mu’min, 40/49, 60)
- 6. Worship (ibadah): The word “dua” and its derivatives have been used in this sense in many verses of the Qur’an. We can give the following verses as examples: “Say, ‘Do you not worship Allah who has created you from nothing and will continue to perfect you?’” (An’am, 6/71)
- 7. Faith (iman): “Say, ‘If there were no truth in what you are saying, then would my Lord give me more value?’” (Furqan, 25/77)
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