The Muslim Handbook

By: Dr. Mubarak Ali

RECOMMENDED DU'A (SUPPILCATIONS)

5.1 INTRODUCTION

     This chapter deals with seven crucial aspects of supplication in Islam: 1) the importance and virtues of supplication; (2) conditions for aqcceptance of supplication; (3) manners of the supplicant; (4) the best times and places to make supplication; (5) three ways in which supplications are accepted; (6) Quraanic du'a (supplications); and (7) dua (supplications) of the Prophet (pbuh).

5.2 THE IMPORTANCE AND VIRTUES OF SUPPLICATIONS

     Supplication in Islam is greatly stressed. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) assured:

Nothing is more dear to Allah than one's supplication to Him (At-Trimidhi and Ibn Majah).

     In every aspect of a Muslim live there is an appropriate or recommended supplication. Supplication establishes a bond between Allah and His servants. Man is always in need and dependence on Allah alone is the surest way of fulfilling that need. Allah has granted His servants absolute assurance and laid great stress in encouraging them to supplicate to Him alone and to no other for all their needs, at all times and places and under all circumstances. The Quraan states as follows:

When my servants ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, (say) I am indeed near: I respond to the invocations of every supplicant when he calls upon Me (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2: 186)

     Allah guarantees His help to the Believers:

Nay, Allah is your Protector, and He is the best of helpers (Surah Al-'Imran, 3:150).

     In making supplication, nothing is too big, difficult or even trivial to ask Allah for. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) advised:

When one of you supplicates, he should ask Allah for something important and great, for nothing is difficult for Allah (Abu 'Awanah and Ibn Hibban)

Source: The Muslim Handbook (By Dr. Mubarak Ali)

(To Be Continued)