PRAYER IN ISLAM (DUʿĀʾ (الدُّعَاءُ)

PRAYER IN ISLAM (DUʿĀʾ (الدُّعَاءُ)

By: Sr. Issah Abeebllahi Obalowu

1. Introduction

Duʿāʾ is one of the greatest acts of worship in Islam. It is the servant's direct communication with Allah: asking Him for what is beneficial, seeking His forgiveness and mercy, expressing one's dependence upon Him, and seeking refuge from harm.

A Muslim does not make duʿāʾ only when facing difficulties. Rather, duʿāʾ should accompany the believer in every aspect of life—in times of happiness and sadness, health and sickness, ease and hardship. Allah says:

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ

“And your Lord said: Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Indeed, those who are too arrogant to worship Me will enter Hell in humiliation.” (Qur'an 40:60).

This verse connects duʿāʾ with worship, showing that calling upon Allah is itself an act of worship.

2. Meaning of Duʿāʾ

A. Linguistic meaning

The Arabic word الدُّعَاءُ (ad-duʿāʾ) comes from the root د ع و, which carries meanings such as:

• to call

• to invoke

• to ask

• to request

• to call upon

• to seek help

B. Technical meaning

In Islam, duʿāʾ means: Calling upon Allah with humility and dependence, asking Him for beneficial things and seeking refuge in Him from harmful things, while acknowledging that He alone has the power to answer.

Duʿāʾ therefore contains three important elements:

1. Calling upon Allah

2. Expressing one's need and dependence upon Him

3. Seeking what is good or protection from what is harmful

3. Duʿāʾ as an Act of Worship

Duʿāʾ is not merely a request. It is an act of ʿibādah. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Duʿāʾ is worship.” (Abū Dāwūd, al-Tirmidhī).

This teaches us that when a Muslim sincerely calls upon Allah, he is worshipping Him. Allah also says: “So call upon Allah, making the religion sincerely for Him.” (Qur'an 40:14).

4. Importance and Significance of Duʿāʾ

1. It is an act of worship: Duʿāʾ brings a person closer to Allah.

2. It demonstrates dependence upon Allah: A believer recognizes that he cannot achieve everything through his own ability.

3. It strengthens one's relationship with Allah: A person who frequently makes duʿāʾ develops a stronger awareness that Allah hears and knows his condition.

4. It is a means of obtaining Allah's help

5. It protects against arrogance: Refusing to ask Allah can reflect self-sufficiency and arrogance, whereas duʿāʾ demonstrates humility.

6. It brings peace to the heart: A believer finds comfort in knowing that his affairs are in the hands of Allah.

7. It is a means of forgiveness: The believer can ask Allah for forgiveness at any time.

8. It gives hope: Even when circumstances appear difficult, duʿāʾ reminds the believer that Allah is capable of changing circumstances.

5. What Can We Ask Allah for?

A Muslim may ask Allah for anything permissible and beneficial, including:

Religious matters

• guidance

• forgiveness

• sincerity

• beneficial knowledge

• steadfastness

• Paradise

• protection from Hell

• righteousness

Worldly matters

• health

• lawful wealth

• employment

• marriage

• righteous children

• success

• protection

• relief from difficulties

Allah says: “And ask Allah of His bounty.” (Qur'an 4:32)

وَاسْأَلُوا اللَّهَ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ

However, a person should not ask Allah for something haram or sinful, nor for something involving injustice.

6. Adab (Etiquettes) of Duʿāʾ

A Muslim should observe certain etiquettes when making duʿāʾ.

1. Sincerity — الإخلاص: Duʿāʾ should be directed sincerely to Allah alone. Allah says: “So do not invoke anyone along with Allah.”. (Qur'an 72:18)

2. Praise Allah before making the request: Begin by praising Allah and acknowledging His greatness. For example: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

3. Send ṣalāh upon the Prophet ﷺ: Before and after the duʿāʾ, send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ.

4. Have certainty that Allah can answer: The person should not make duʿāʾ while believing that Allah cannot answer him.

5. Humility and submissiveness: Allah says: “Call upon your Lord humbly and privately.” (Qur'an 7:55).

ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً

6. Repent from sins: A person should turn back to Allah and seek forgiveness.

7. Ask with humility and hope: The believer should combine hope in Allah's mercy with fear of His punishment.

8. Avoid exaggeration: The Prophet ﷺ warned against transgression in duʿāʾ. A person should ask for what is appropriate and permissible.

9. Do not be impatient: A person should continue making duʿāʾ and should not say: “I made duʿāʾ but Allah did not answer me.” The Prophet ﷺ warned against such impatience.

10. Face the Qiblah when possible: This is among the recommended circumstances for duʿāʾ.

11. Raise the hands: Raising the hands is from the established etiquettes of duʿāʾ in many situations.

12. Use concise and comprehensive supplications: The Prophet ﷺ frequently used short but comprehensive supplications.

13. Repeat the duʿāʾ: Repeating one's request demonstrates persistence and need.

14. Ask Allah using His Beautiful Names: Allah says: “And to Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him by them.” (Qur'an 7:180). For example: O Most Forgiving, forgive me.يَا غَفُورُ اغْفِرْ لِي 

7. Times When Duʿāʾ Is More Likely to Be Answered

There are particular times mentioned in the Qur'an and Sunnah in which duʿāʾ has special virtue.

1. The last third part of the night

The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night and says: “Who is calling upon Me so that I may answer him?”

(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

2. During sujūd

The Prophet ﷺ said: “The closest that a servant is to his Lord is while he is prostrating, so increase in supplication.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim).

3. The time between adhān and iqāmah

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Duʿāʾ made between the adhān and iqāmah is not rejected.”

(Abū Dāwūd, al-Tirmidhī)

4. The last part of the prayer

Especially before the salām, during the appropriate place for supplication.

5. Friday

There is a special hour on Friday during which supplication is answered.

6. When fasting

The fasting person's supplication has special virtue, particularly at the time of breaking the fast.

7. When breaking the fast

The Prophet ﷺ said that the supplication of the fasting person at the time of breaking the fast is not rejected.

8. During rainfall

Rain is among the times when supplication is encouraged.

9. During hardship

A person in genuine difficulty often turns to Allah with sincerity and humility.

10. Laylat al-Qadr

Duʿāʾ is especially encouraged during this blessed night.

8. Places and Situations Where Duʿāʾ Is Accepted

Among situations mentioned in the Sunnah are:

• the duʿāʾ of the oppressed

• the duʿāʾ of the traveller

• the duʿāʾ of parents for their children

• the duʿāʾ of the fasting person

• during rainfall

• between adhān and iqāmah

• during prostration

• during the last part of the night

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim).

9. Facilitators of the Acceptance of Duʿāʾ

These are factors that help create the conditions for one's duʿāʾ to be accepted.

1. Halal income

This is extremely important. The Prophet ﷺ mentioned a man who travels, raises his hands and calls upon Allah, but: “His food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing is unlawful, and he has been nourished with the unlawful, so how can his supplication be answered?” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim).

2. Sincerity

The duʿāʾ should be solely for Allah.

3. Repentance

Leaving sins and seeking forgiveness.

4. Good deeds

Obedience to Allah strengthens the believer's relationship with Him.

5. Tawakkul

Trusting Allah while taking the permissible means.

6. Persistence

Continuing to ask without becoming impatient.

7. Presence of heart

The person should understand what he is asking rather than merely repeating words mechanically.

8. Choosing appropriate times

Such as sujūd, the last third of the night and between adhān and iqāmah.

9. Beginning with praise and ṣalāh upon the Prophet ﷺ

This is among the recommended etiquettes.

10. Avoiding injustice and sins

A person should not deliberately persist in wrongdoing while expecting his supplication to be answered.

10. Common Mistakes in Duʿāʾ

1. Making duʿāʾ only during hardship

Some people remember Allah when they need something but forget Him when they are comfortable.

2. Lack of sincerity

Making duʿāʾ to impress people defeats the purpose of worship.

3. Being impatient

Saying: “I have asked Allah many times, but He has not answered me.”

4. Asking for something sinful

For example, asking Allah to help one commit injustice.

5. Asking for the impossible in an inappropriate manner

A Muslim should ask Allah with proper understanding and humility.

6. Transgression in duʿāʾ

This includes excessive or inappropriate requests.

7. Neglecting halal earnings

Unlawful earnings can become a barrier to acceptance.

8. Making duʿāʾ without attention

Simply moving the tongue while the heart is completely absent.

9. Thinking that acceptance must mean getting exactly what was requested

Allah's response may take another form.

10. Abandoning duʿāʾ after a delay

Delay does not necessarily mean rejection.

11. Making duʿāʾ while neglecting the means

For example, asking Allah for success in an examination without studying.

Tawakkul means relying upon Allah while taking permissible means.

11. How Does Allah Answer Duʿāʾ?

A very important point for the believers to understand is that “Allah answered my duʿāʾ” does not necessarily mean “Allah gave me exactly what I requested immediately.”

The Prophet ﷺ taught that when a Muslim makes a supplication, Allah may:

1. Give him what he asked for, or

2. Remove an equivalent harm from him, or

3. Store the reward for him in the Hereafter.

Therefore, the believer should never assume that a sincere duʿāʾ was wasted.

The response may be:

A. Immediate

The person receives what he requested.

B. Delayed

Allah gives it later because the timing is better.

C. Replaced with something better

Allah may give the person something more beneficial than what he requested.

D. Protection from harm

The requested thing may not be given, but Allah protects the person from a calamity.

E. Reward in the Hereafter

The reward of the supplication may be preserved for the Day of Judgment.

12. Why Might a Duʿāʾ Not Be Answered in the Way We Expect?

We should be careful here: we cannot always know the specific reason why Allah did not give us exactly what we requested.

Allah knows what we do not know. He says: “Perhaps you dislike something while it is good for you, and perhaps you love something while it is bad for you. Allah knows, and you do not know.” (Qur'an 2:216).

وَعَسَىٰ أَنْ تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَنْ تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

Therefore, the believer should maintain good expectations of Allah.

13. Duʿāʾ and Taking the Means

Islam does not teach a person to abandon effort.

For example: Student: “Allah, make me successful in my examination.”

Then he should:

• study

• attend classes

• revise

• seek clarification

• practise

• then rely upon Allah.

Similarly: Person seeking employment:

He makes duʿāʾ, but also:

• prepares his CV

• applies for jobs

• contacts employers

• improves his skills

• attends interviews.

Thus:

Duʿāʾ + permissible effort + tawakkul

are not contradictory; they complement one another.

14. Duʿāʾ and Qadar

Duʿāʾ does not contradict belief in Qadar.

Rather, duʿāʾ itself is among the means that Allah has decreed.

Just as:

• eating is a means of satisfying hunger,

• medicine is a means of treatment,

• studying is a means of gaining knowledge,

duʿāʾ is a means through which Allah brings about what He wills.

Therefore, a Muslim believes in Qadar while continuing to make duʿāʾ.

15. Duʿāʾ Should Include Both Dunyā and Ākhirah

Allah teaches us: “Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” (Qur'an 2:201).

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

This is an excellent example of a comprehensive duʿāʾ because it combines:

• worldly wellbeing

• spiritual wellbeing

• Hereafter

• protection from punishment.

16. Qur'anic Duʿās Every Muslim Should Know

1. For forgiveness

رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنْفُسَنَا وَإِنْ لَمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ

2. For knowledge

رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا

“My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”

(Qur'an 20:114)

3. For parents

رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا

“My Lord, have mercy upon them as they raised me when I was young.”

(Qur'an 17:24)

4. For good in both worlds

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

5. For steadfastness

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً

17. A Simple Formula for Making Duʿāʾ

You can remember the following sequence:

1. Praise Allah

الحمد لله، سبحان الله، الله أكبر

⬇️

2. Send ṣalāh upon the Prophet ﷺ

اللهم صل وسلم على نبينا محمد

⬇️

3. Confess your need and weakness

“O Allah, I am Your servant and I am in need of You…”

⬇️

4. Ask Allah sincerely

Ask for what you need.

⬇️

5. Ask for forgiveness

رب اغفر لي

⬇️

6. End with ṣalāh upon the Prophet ﷺ

⬇️

7. Have certainty and patience

Trust Allah's wisdom and continue making duʿāʾ.

18. Important Difference: Duʿāʾ vs Dhikr

Dhikr

Remembering and mentioning Allah through phrases such as:

• سبحان الله

• الحمد لله

• الله أكبر

• لا إله إلا الله

Duʿāʾ

Asking Allah for something or seeking refuge in Him.

For example:

اللهم اغفر لي

“O Allah, forgive me.”

However, there is overlap between the two because many forms of dhikr contain supplication and many duʿās contain remembrance of Allah.

19. Key Principles Students Should Remember

Students should remember these ten principles:

1. Duʿāʾ is worship.

2. Duʿāʾ must be directed sincerely to Allah.

3. Allah hears and knows every sincere supplication.

4. A Muslim should ask Allah for both worldly and religious good.

5. Halal earnings are important for acceptance.

6. There are special times when duʿāʾ is especially encouraged.

7. A person should combine duʿāʾ with permissible effort.

8. A believer should not become impatient.

9. Allah's response may not always be exactly what we requested.

10. The believer should always maintain good expectations of Allah.

20. Conclusion

Duʿāʾ is one of the greatest expressions of a Muslim's relationship with Allah. It demonstrates tawḥīd, humility, dependence, hope and trust.

The successful believer does not abandon duʿāʾ when difficulties come, nor does he remember Allah only when he needs something. Rather, he calls upon Allah in ease and hardship, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty.

The Prophet ﷺ said that a person should know Allah and call upon Him in times of ease, so that Allah responds to him in times of difficulty.

Central message for the believers:

Make duʿāʾ, take the right means, avoid what displeases Allah, be patient, and trust Allah's wisdom.

A delayed response is not necessarily a rejected duʿāʾ. The believer's responsibility is to ask Allah sincerely and persistently; Allah's response is according to His perfect knowledge and wisdom.