The Power of Dua

Assalamu Alaykum wR wB,

When I was younger, I used to make dua after every salaah. I used to ask for the things that every kid wants: the new video game, to go to some amusement park or place to eat, for me go to heaven, etc.  As I grew older however, I realized I focused less on making dua, and sometimes ‘skipped’ the dua part after salaah in entirety.

Part of it was me being lazy, but the other part was that as I grew older, I grew less dependent on other people, and unfortunately, without realizing it, started to feel less dependent on Allah (swt). I now had the freedom to make choices without asking my parents. If I wanted a new computer, I saved money. If I was was interested in someone, I would work hard to impress her.  By having the ability to achieve my goals myself, there was less of a reason to ask Allah (swt) for it.

This was where I was dead wrong.

We have to remember that nothing, absolutely nothing, happens without the will of Allah (swt). Thought I would do some research on why making dua is important for my and everyone else’s benefit iA.

Benefits of making dua:

1. Becoming less arrogant – If you constantly ask Allah (swt) for something, you realize that you are not able to achieve it yourself and are powerless.
2. The fulfillment of the dua – We should know that Allah (swt) always answers the duas of people. However, it may not always seem so and many people, failing to experience the effects immediately, begin to feel dejected and put off. This should not be the case however, as Allah (swt), the All-Hearing, undoubtedly hears and accepts the supplications of people. Some duas are answered immediately, whilst those of others are deferred for their own benefit.
3. The doors of mercy are opened – Abdullah bin Umar (ra) narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “For whoever the door of Dua opened, for him the doors of mercy are opened…” (Tirmidhi)

There are certain things that one must keep in mind about duas:

1. The Prophet (pbuh) once said, “Dua is Ibadah” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Abu Dawud). Since it is a type of worship, it is something that we must always do. This is even to the extent that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Allah is extremely displeased with the person who doesn’t do dua to Allah” (Tirmidhi).
2. As mentioned above, we should always make dua. Nowadays, we only say our duas when hardship befalls us and it is the last resort, when all else has failed. However, this should not be the case as the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Whosoever desires that Allah answers his duas in unfavorable and difficult conditions, he should make plentiful dua in days of ease and comfort.” (Tirmidhi)
3. Try making dua for others because if you do so, the same thing may also occur to you too. There are certain ayahs in the Quran such as the last Ayah in Surah Nuh, the meaning of which is, “O my Lord! Forgive me, my parents, all who enter my house in Faith, and (all) believing men and believing women: and to the wrong-doers grant Thou no increase but in perdition!” If you are to recite this verse, then you get a sin erased for every Muslim living in this world. Also, the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whenever you make a supplication for another believer and he is not present, an angel will say ‘and same to you.’” (Muslim)
4. Have complete conviction that Allah will accept the Dua, because if you don’t, then there is a high chance it won’t be accepted. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “When anyone of you does Dua then don’t say “Oh Allah! Forgive me if you want”, “Have mercy on me if you want“, “Give me subsistence if you wish” rather believe completely that HE will do whatever HE wishes. Nobody can force Him.” (Bukhari)
5. There are several best times to make Dua:
1. The Prophet said, “Three types of people’s Duas are not rejected: 1) At the time of Iftar the person who has fasted 2) A just ruler’s Dua 3) The Dua of the oppressed.
2. Another Hadith listed another three in which the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Three Duas are such in which there is no doubt of their acceptance: 1) Father’s Dua 2) Traveler’s Dua 3) Dua of the oppressed”. (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah).
3. The last third of the night. “In the last third of every night our Rabb (Allah) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; “Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]
4. Between Adhan and Iqamat.  Anas (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama is not rejected.’ [Ahmad, abu Dawud #521, at-Tirmidhi #212, Sahih al-Jami #3408, an-Nasai and Ibn Hibban graded it sahih (sound)]
5. An hour on Friday. There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) and asks something from Allah (swt), then Allah (swt) will definitely meet his demand. And he (the Prophet [pbuh]) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands. [Sahih al-Bukhari]Some have said that this hour is from the time the Imam (prayer’s leader) enters the mosque on Friday’s prayeruntil the prayer is over (ie between the two khutbahs), whereas others have said that it is the last hour of theday (ie after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib prayer).(Note: when we say an hour here we do not mean thehour everyone knows (60 minutes) but an unspecified period of time because the time counters which we usetoday came after the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) had died.

May the above information strengthen your resolve to make more Duas and may it benefit you in many ways. Ameen.

Finally, remember to keep me in your duas. JazakAllah Khair.

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