Duʿāʾ is interpreted in six ways:
1. Duʿāʾ is used in the sense of qawl (speech, word); as in the following verses:
When Our punishment came upon them, their duʿāʾ (i.e., their words) was nothing but that they said, "Indeed, we were wrongdoers." (al-Aʿrāf 7:5)
So their duʿāʾ (i.e., their words) was nothing but that. (al-Anbiyāʾ 21:15)
This also refers to their words, "Woe to us! Indeed, we were wrongdoers" (al-Anbiyāʾ 21:14). Thus, they kept saying, "Woe to us! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."
So We made them as a mown field, as stubble. (al-Anbiyāʾ 21:15)
Their duʿāʾ (i.e., their words) in Paradise, whenever their souls desire anything there, is: "Exalted are You, O Allah!" (Yūnus 10:10)
2. Duʿāʾ is used in the sense of ʿibāda (worship); as in the following verses:
Say, "Shall we duʿāʾ (i.e., worship) to that which neither benefits us nor harms us besides Allah?" (al-Anʿām 6:71)
Do not duʿāʾ (i.e., worship) besides Allah that which neither benefits you nor harms you! (Yūnus 10:106)
So do not duʿāʾ (i.e., worship) with Allah another deity! (ash-Shuʿarāʾ 26:213)
You only worship besides Allah idols. (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:17)
Do not duʿāʾ (i.e., worship) with Allah another deity! (al-Qaṣaṣ 28:88)
Those who do not duʿāʾ (i.e., worship) with Allah another deity. (al-Furqān 25:68)
Say, "My Lord would not care for you were it not for your duʿāʾ (i.e., your worship)." (al-Furqān 25:77)
3. The word duʿāʾ is used in the sense of nidāʾ (calling, addressing loudly, inviting); as in the following verses:
Finally, he duʿāʾ (i.e., called out) to his Lord, "Indeed, I am overpowered, so help me!" (al-Qamar 54:10)
The Day when the caller will duʿāʾ (i.e., call out, invite) to an unknown thing... (al-Qamar 54:6)
The Day He will duʿāʾ (i.e., call out to) you, and you will respond with His praise. (al-Isrāʾ 17:52)
You cannot make the deaf hear the duʿāʾ (i.e., the call, invitation). (ar-Rūm 30:52)
If you duʿāʾ (i.e., call out, invite) them, they do not hear your duʿāʾ (i.e., your call, invitation). (Fāṭir 35:14)
4. ad-Duʿāʾ is used in the sense of istiġātha (calling for help); as in the following verses:
Call your witnesses besides Allah (i.e., call your witnesses for help). (al-Baqara 2:23)
Call upon those whom you are able besides Allah (i.e., call them for help). (Yūnus 10:38)
A similar verse is found in Sūrat Hūd.
Let him duʿāʾ (i.e., call upon) his Lord (i.e., call his Lord for help). (al-Muʾmin 40:26)
5. ad-Duʿāʾ is used in the sense of suʾāl, istifhām (asking, questioning); as in the following verses:
(O Mūsā!) Duʿāʾ (i.e., ask) your Lord for us to make clear to us what it is. (al-Baqara 2:68)
(O Mūsā!) Duʿāʾ (i.e., ask) your Lord for us to make clear to us its color. (al-Baqara 2:69)
On that Day, He will say, "Duʿāʾ (i.e., ask) My partners whom you claimed." They will duʿāʾ (i.e., ask) them, but they will not respond to them. (al-Kahf 18:52)
6. The word duʿāʾ is used in the sense of requesting, making a petition; as in the following verses:
O Mūsā! Duʿāʾ (i.e., request) your Lord for us; if you remove the punishment from us... (al-Aʿrāf 7:134)
They said, "O magician, duʿāʾ (i.e., request) your Lord for us." (az-Zukhruf 43:49)
Duʿāʾ (i.e., ask) Me; I will respond to you. (al-Muʾmin 40:60)
The people of the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell, "Duʿāʾ (i.e., ask) your Lord to lighten for us the punishment for a day." (al-Muʾmin 40:49)