OYEWUNMI KAFAYAT OLASEYI
Dua is an Arabic phrase that literally means to call someone. Dua (pronounced Du’a) literally means “request,” “prayer,” or “supplication.” Al-Khattab defines Dua as a servant’s appeal to his Lord for help and continued support. It is a blend of ‘Ibadah (prayer) and ‘Ibadah (worship) (remembrance of Allah).
The significance of Dua is also mentioned in several verses of the Holy Quran. Allah Almighty states in Surah al-Baqara verse 186, “When my servants ask about me, you assure them I’m getting closer to them. When the supplicant summons me, I respond.” This passage implies that we should make Dua for the settlement of all of our problems, no matter how great or minor they are. For Allah Almighty, even the most difficult situation is trivial. Also, the disciple of the Prophet[ﷺ] We are greatly urged to recite these Dua from both sources for our benefit in both worlds. We can also customize our Dua for greater reflection by writing it in our own words and in a language, we are familiar with. Allah [s.w.t.] is the best judge of our thoughts and intentions, even if our Dua manifestations appear unclear or unorganized.
“When my servants question you about me, (tell them) I am indeed close,” Allah Almighty declares in the Qur’an (to them). When a suppliant calls on me (make Dua), I respond to his plea.”
[Quran 2:186]
The value of Dua in Islam is revealed in the preceding verse and hadith. Now we will emphasize the benefits that we have received through Dua, which will raise its importance.
The Prophet [ﷺ] said, “Nothing is more respectable to Allah the Highest than Dua.” This demonstrates the value of Dua in front of Allah. [Sahih Al-Jami’] .5268]
The value of Dua in Islam is revealed in the preceding verse and hadith. Now we will emphasize the benefits that we have received through Dua, which will raise its importance.
The Prophet [ﷺ] considered Dua to be the highest form of worship. When we make Dua in front of Almighty ALLAH for our needs and desires, we will be rewarded not only for our Dua, but also for our worship. We embrace ALLAH’s power and authority, as well as our vulnerability in front of Him, through Dua.
Ibadah is nothing without Dua, Dua validates a person’s belief in Tawheed (monotheism) and rejects all false gods. His faith in Allah rises with every Dua. He begs Him, acknowledging his own insignificance.
Not only in times of trouble, but at all times, we should make Dua. “Whoever desires that Allah responds his Dua in unfavorable and difficult circumstances, he should make abundant Dua in days of ease and comfort,” the Prophet Muhammad [ﷺ] said. “Whoever does not inquire from Allah, Allah becomes displeased with him,” He added.
We should make a request for all of our needs, both material and spiritual. Those that focus solely on the former are effectively declaring that they are unconcerned about their life in their permanent residence. They should look to no one but themselves for the ultimate destruction that the Qur’an promises will await them in that world.
We should make Dua for everything, big or small. Realizing that great and little are arbitrary terms that have no bearing in this context is the first step toward knowledge. Nothing is too huge for Whom we ask, and nothing is too small for the one who asks. That is why, even for something as simple as shoelaces, we are taught to pray to Allah. We should pray as if we were a beggar or a needy people since that is how we are in Allah’s eyes. Simultaneously, we should pray with tremendous confidence and faith that our prayers will be answered. “There is nothing else,” says the Hadith. “There is nothing dearer to Allah than a servant making Dua to Him.” On the other hand, a prayer lacking concentration and conviction is no prayer at all.
We should make Dua not only for ourselves, but also for our parents, brothers and sisters, spouse and children, relatives and friends, teachers and other benefactors, and poor and struggling Muslims around the world. We should pray for them in this life and in the afterlife. “The Dua of a Muslim for his brother (in Islam) in his absence is readily accepted,” the Prophet [ﷺ] said. An angel has been assigned to his side. ‘Aameen,’ says the assigned angel whenever he makes a beneficial Dua for his brother. ‘And may you be blessed in the same way.’ [Muslim] [Sahih]
Dua’s strength and power are unfathomable. When we make Dua, we are actually presenting our case to the Owner and Creator of the entire universe, and nothing is too difficult for Him. For a Muslim who believes in Allah Almighty, simply talking to Allah Almighty in the form of Dua is sufficient. The Prophet, peace and said, according to a Hadith given by Imam Muslim: “When a servant is in sujud, he is the most-near Allah Almighty (prostration). As a result, improve your Sujud Dua.”
When we make Dua before him, Allah Almighty is overjoyed, and when they don’t, he is enraged. He says in Surah Ghafir: “And your Lord says to you, “Make Dua before Me, and I will accept it.” Those who scorn My devotion will undoubtedly perish in the fires of hell ” (Quran 40:60). As a result, Muslims should not be afraid to seek Allah Almighty’s support and guidance in whatever situation they face.
There are several benefits of making Dua. Some of these benefits are explained below.
The arrogance in our heart fades away: Making Dua has the effect of fading the arrogance in our hearts. This is because when we perform Dua and bring our problems before Allah Almighty, we recognize that Allah is the one who created us and the entire universe. We are nothing in His eyes, and since He despises hubris, we should be free of it. The Dua is what cleanses our hearts of conceit.
Allah Almighty opens the doors of mercy for us through Dua, and Allah Almighty enjoys it when His slaves make Dua and showers His mercy on them. Every one of our Dua has been accepted: It is common for people to believe that their Dua has been rejected, which is false. This is due to Allah Almighty’s knowledge of what is best for us. Sometimes we believe something is better for us, but He knows it isn’t. So, what He does is provide us with what is best for us, and He also records our Dua as part of our good actions. Our Dua may not be accepted when we want it, but Allah knows the optimum timing for what we seek and grants it to us.
