Dua is the act of supplication in Islamic terminology. It is calling out to Almighty Allah; it is a conversation with Allah, our Creator, our Lord, the All Knowing, and the All Powerful. In fact the word is derived from the Arabic root meaning to call out or to summon. Dua is uplifting, empowering, liberating and transforming and it is one of the most powerful and effective act of worship a human being can engage in. Dua has been called the weapon of the believer. It affirms a person’s belief in One God and it shuns all forms of idolatry or polytheism. Dua is essentially submission to Almighty Allah and a manifestation of a person’s need for Almighty Allah. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “A slave becomes nearest to his Lord when he is in prostration. So increase supplications in prostrations.’’ The supplication of every one of you will be granted if he does not get impatient and say, I supplicated my Lord but my prayer has not been granted.’’ Prayer or in Arabic-Salah, is one of the pillars of Islam, and in performing the five daily prayers a Muslim actually engages in a physical form of Dua asking Allah to grant them Heaven through their actions. Throughout the prayer one also supplicates to Allah directly. For Muslims prayer is a set of ritual movements and words performed at fixed times, five times per day. Almighty Allah says in Quran, “Verily, the prayer is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours”. (Quran) Muslims pray in the early morning before sunrise, in the middle of the day, in the afternoon, at sunset and at night. Prayer is an act of worship, in which a Muslim reaffirms his belief in One God and demonstrates his gratefulness. It is a direct connection between Almighty Allah and the believer and it is an obligation. Dua on the other hand is a Muslims way of feeling that connection to Allah at anytime, in any place. Muslims call on Allah frequently throughout the day and night. They raise their hands in supplication and ask for His help, mercy, and forgiveness. Dua incorporates praise, thanksgiving, hope, and calling on Allah to assist the one in need and grant his or her requests. Dua can be made for the individual, their family, friends, strangers, those in dire circumstances, for the believers, and even for the whole of humanity.
Although making Dua is not an obligation, there are many benefits to making Dua to Almighty Allah frequently and with full submission. Feeling the closeness to Allah that comes with sincere Dua, it increases faith, gives hope and relief to the distressed and saves the supplicant from the despair and isolation. Throughout the Quran, Allah encourages the believer to call on Him, He asks us to lay our dreams, hopes, fears and uncertainties before Him and to be sure that He hears every word.
When making the Dua it is acceptable to ask for good in this worldly life and in the hereafter. A person making Dua should not hold back, but ask Allah to grant both the largest and smallest requests. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) encouraged the believers to make Dua. He said, “The Dua of a Muslim for his brother in his absence is readily accepted. An angel is appointed to his side. Whenever he makes a beneficial Dua for his brother the appointed angel says, Ameen. And may you also be blessed with the same”. Although making Dua is not an obligation, there are many benefits to making Dua to Almighty Allah frequently and with full submission. Feeling the closeness to Allah that comes with sincere Dua, it increases faith, gives hope and relief to the distressed and saves the supplicant from the despair and isolation. Throughout the Quran, Allah encourages the believer to call on Him, He asks us to lay our dreams, hopes, fears and uncertainties before Him and to be sure that He hears every word.
