Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said: “In the heart, there is a sense of untidiness, which can only be gathered by turning to Allah (swt). In the heart, there is a sense of loneliness, which can only be removed by coming closer to Allah (swt). In the heart, there is fear and anxiety, which only leaves by fleeing to Allah (swt). In the heart, there is a sense of regret, which can only be removed by being satisfied with Allah (swt).”
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
“And when My servants ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me (by obedience) and believe in Me that they may be (rightly) guided.” (Al-Baqarah 2:186)
Etiquette of Making Dua
- Sincerity (Ikhlas)
Our intentions are the roots of our actions. Hence, a clear, pure, and truthful intent must be present before we beseech our Lord. Purify your heart and believe that nobody can help you other than Him. To Him belong all resources and authority; only He can deliver you from your suffering and fulfill your need.
- Focus (Hazir)
Allah (swt) is too praiseworthy and magnificent. Our flawed and inferior worship does nothing to add to His power and might and nothing to take away from His high exalted status. We are to pray to Him with a focused heart, mind, and soul. A distracted, playful, or unwilling heart cannot reach Him.
- Conviction (Yaqeen)
As His slaves, we must be convinced that He is Al-Qadeer, The Most Powerful. We should not say: “O Allah! If You can do this, please, do it.” Rather we beg: “O Allah! Only You can do it, if it is not done yet. Only You can grant ease, create a resource, and send help, if it has not happened yet.”
- Humility
Realize on a conscious level how helpless you are. Express your insignificance and incapability before the greatness of Allah (swt). Imagine how a beggar on the road begs for his needs. You are a slave begging the King of the worlds with utter humbleness.
- Invoke Repeatedly
We give up on our prayers too often and too soon. Allah (swt) loves those who turn to Him consistently and continuously for the littlest of things. He is not like a mortal being, who gets irritated or pushes away a person in need. On the contrary, He wants to hear and respond to His needy worshipper. His response to our Dua is based on His knowledge and wisdom. We should not expect customized responses.
- Lift and Open Your Hands
When you make Dua, lift your hands, open them wide, and ask Him. Weep if you want to. Allah (swt) feels Haya to return His slaves empty-handed. The Prophet (sa) said: “Your Lord, may He be blessed and exalted, is Kind and Most Generous, and He is too kind to let His slave, if he raises his hands to Him, bring them back empty.” (Abu Dawood)
- Praise Allah (swt) and Send Durood Upon the Prophet (sa)
The protocol of making Dua is such that, first, you should praise Allah (swt), next, send Durood upon the Prophet (sa) and, lastly, state your need. The Prophet (sa) confirmed this order in which a Sahabi made Dua in front of him. He said to him: “O worshipper, ask and you will be answered.” (Tirmidhi)
- Choose the Best Words for Your Dua
The most recommended Duas are from the Quran and the Sunnah. They were asked by our prophets and Prophet Muhammad (sa) and, hence, responded to and in accordance to the decorum required to approach our Lord. However, you can also ask in your own choicest words.
- Use the Correct Means of Nearness (Wasila)
You can use the beautiful names of Allah (swt) taught to us according to your particular need. For example, if you want someone’s heart to open up for guidance or love, you may invoke Allah (swt) with His glorious name of Al-Fattah, The Opener. Similarly, in Bani Israel three men were stuck in a cave. They were let out, when each one of them pleaded to Allah (swt), presenting a good deed they had done in the past. No other Wasila should be used.
- Earn Halal Income
The Prophet (sa) mentioned a man who travels for a long distance and is dishevelled and dusty; he stretches forth his hands towards the heaven saying: “O Lord, O Lord”, but his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing is unlawful, and he has been nourished with the unlawful, so how can he be responded to? (Muslim) This is a grave matter. As believers, we are careful about what we eat, but we have stopped caring about the source of earning that funds our lifestyles.
Dua is a journey of self-discovery. We realize how insignificant and weak we are before our Almighty Allah (swt). It enables our growth. It gives us an understanding of how far we can go on our own and when we must submit to Allah (swt).
When invoking our Creator, we bring ourselves to the state where Allah (swt) wants to see us as His noble and great creation, bowing in humility and obeying in worship.
Gain strength and make Dua, whether standing, sitting, or lying. Best if in Wudu, but if not, then make Dua without Wudu. But call upon your Rabb and gain His Marifat, Insha’ Allah.
What should be your spiritual state?
Allah (swt) clearly states that He responds to the invoking person, when He calls upon Allah (swt). He further commands that the person making Dua should also respond to Allah (swt). How?
By obeying Allah’s (swt) commands. This is where we need to perform Amal-e-Salih in the light of the Quran and the Sunnah. Our personal desires, preferences, opinions, and moods have to be sacrificed first. Allah (swt) demands absolute submission and servitude. As Momins, we cannot disobey or transgress and then expect our invocations to come true.
Next, by firmly placing our belief in Allah (swt) alone. Allah (swt) should be considered the sole Creator, Caretaker and Disposer of Affairs (Rabb). Our concept of Tawheed cannot be rusty – it has to be sharp. We should not turn to people and beg them for our wants; instead, we must gracefully exert all efforts in the right direction and leave the results to Allah (swt), trusting Him only.
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