Dua and Methods of Supplication

Power Of Dua: Dua is the act of calling upon Allah with sincerity, humility, and trust. It is a form of worship that expresses our need and dependence on Him, and our gratitude and praise for His blessings. Dua is also a way of seeking His guidance, mercy, forgiveness, and protection from all kinds of harm and evil. Dua is a powerful weapon of the believer that can change one’s destiny and bring relief from difficulties and distress.

However, dua is not just a casual or random utterance of words. It has certain manners and etiquettes that should be observed to make it more acceptable and effective. Here are some of the methods of supplication that every Muslim should know and follow.

1. Praise Allah and send blessings upon the Prophet

Before making any dua, it is recommended to praise Allah with His beautiful names and attributes, and to send blessings and peace upon His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him). This is a way of showing respect and gratitude to Allah, and honoring His chosen Prophet. It also increases the chances of our dua being answered, as Allah says in the Quran: “So invoke Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, although the disbelievers dislike it.” [Quran 40:14]

2. Ask Allah with certainty and hope

When making dua, we should have full confidence and certainty that Allah hears us and responds to us. We should not doubt or despair of His mercy and generosity. We should also have hope and optimism that He will grant us what is best for us, even if we do not see it immediately or in the way we expect. We should avoid saying things like “if You will” or “maybe” or “I don’t know if You will accept”. Rather, we should say things like “I ask You” or “I beg You” or “I trust You”. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When one of you supplicates, he should supplicate with confidence and should not say: ‘O Allah, confer upon me if You like’, for there is none who can compel Allah.” [Bukhari]

3. Be humble and sincere

Methods of Supplication: Dua is an expression of our servitude and neediness before Allah. Therefore, we should be humble and sincere in our supplication, acknowledging our weakness and sinfulness, and admitting our mistakes and shortcomings. We should also be sincere in our intention and motive, seeking only Allah’s pleasure and approval, and not showing off or seeking worldly gains. We should also be sincere in our actions and deeds, following His commands and avoiding His prohibitions. As Allah says in the Quran: “Call upon your Lord in humility and privately; indeed, He does not like transgressors.” [Quran 7:55]

4. Choose the best times and places

Dua can be made at any time and place, but there are some times and places that are more virtuous and conducive for supplication. Some of these are:

– The last third of the night, when Allah descends to the lowest heaven and asks: “Who is calling upon Me that I may answer him? Who is asking something of Me that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness that I may forgive him?” [Bukhari]

– The time before Fajr (dawn) prayer, when Allah says: “Is there anyone who asks Me that I may give him? Is there anyone who seeks My forgiveness that I may forgive him?” [Muslim].

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