“One day, a man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked him: “ Is Allah far away, so we call out to Him, or is He close by, so we should whisper to Him?” Allah Himself answered the man’s question, (Hadith narrated by Imams Abu Dawoud, Al Nisa’i and at-Tirmidhi)- a verse of the Qur’an was revealed that says:
“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.”
—Qur’an 2:186
So we have an outright divinely pledge that our invocations and pleas to the Almighty are and shall always be answered.
And in another instance of the Qur’an, Allah the Almighty, gives us another assertion so that we may remember:
“And your Lord says, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.” Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible. — Quran 40:60
But it happens that the response takes many forms and comes on different timings, which renders it, for some, a seeming delay or may be even rejection to their appeals.
And we have another assertion in the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (PBUH);
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “The invocation of anyone of you is granted (by Allah) if he does not show impatience (by saying, ‘I invoked Allah but my request has not been granted.’)”- Narrated by Imam Bukhari.
Merits of Supplication
Supplication and appealing to Allah, regardless of the purpose, is one act a Muslim engages in that’s most appreciated and liked by Allah (SWT).
Imam Ahmed narrated a Hadith wherein Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) says: ‘There is nothing as dear to Allah as the supplication (by His Worshipers)’.
It is also considered an act of worship.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him said: “Supplication is worship.”- A Hadith narrated by Imams Abu Dawood and at- Tirmidhi
Supplication features one act of worship that unites all of God’s creation, engaging them in a devotional appeal to their master, the Bestower of all good who in His hands lies the fate of the universe. So it’s one way of bringing together all creatures of all worlds of God, creating great solidarity amongst them that making them all one, tied by a sense of brotherhood that unites them and strengthens them in worshiping One Lord capable of simply everything.
“All those who are in the heavens and the earth ask of him.”– Quran 55:29
Over and above, supplication, or making Dua, polishes the soul- and for a Muslim, it is a continuous process of invocation of various intensities and different purposes. As much as its nature varies, so does the outcome, that follows a divine logic that we might not always grasp yet undoubtedly brings forth what’s best for us.
It also revives in the heart of a Mu’min (He who has Faith in Allah) the belief in Supreme Power of Allah, His Oneness, and His Mercy, having promised to answer all who supplicates to Him.
Supplication reinforces the divine connection with Allah (SWT) and engages the heart and soul in a state of humility and devotional imploration.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, said: “Allah has some angels who look for those who remember (glorify the Praises of) Allah in the roads and paths. And when they find some people remembering (glorifying the Praises) of Allah, they call each other, saying, ‘Come to the object of your pursuit.’” (He added) Then the angles encircle them with their wings up to the nearest heaven to us (sky of the world).” (He added) “[After those people remembered (glorified the Praises of) Allah, and the angles go back], their Lord asks them (those angles) – though He knows better than them—‘What do My slave say?’ The angles reply, ‘They say: Subhan Allah, Allahu Akbar, Alhamdulillah and they glorify you, Allah then says, ‘Did they see Me?’ The angles reply, ‘No! By Allah, they didnt see You.’ Allah says, ‘How it would have been if they saw Me?’ The angles reply, ‘If they saw You, they would worship You more devoutly and remember You (glorify Your Praises) more deeply, and declare Your freedom from any resemblance to anything more often.’ Allah says (to the angles), ‘What do they ask me for?’ The angles reply, ‘They ask You for Paradise.’ Allah says (to the angles), ‘Did they see it?’ The angels say, ‘No! By Allah, O Lord! They did not see it.’ Allah says: ‘How it would have been if they saw it?’ The angles say, ‘If they saw it, they would have greater covetousness for it and would seek with greater zeal and would have greater desire for it.’ Allah says, ‘From what do they refuge?’ The angles reply, ‘They seek refuge from the (Hell) Fire.’ Allah says, ‘Did they see it?’ The angles say, ‘No! By Allah, O Lord. They did not see it.’ Allah says, ‘How it would have been if they saw it?’ The angles say, ‘If they saw it they would flee from it with the extreme fleeing and would have extreme fear from it.’ The Allah says, I make you witnesses that I have forgiven them.’” (Allah’s Messenger added) “One of the angles would say, ‘There was so-and-so amonst them, and he was not one of them, but he had just come for some need.’ Allah would say, ‘These are those people whose companions will not be reduced to misery.’”- Narrated by Imam Bukhari.
See how it is plausible and highly appreciated by our Lord (SWT).
What about the seeming rejection of some supplications?
The seeming rejection is in its essence also an answer to the Dua but hidden behind some divine logic that is too vast for our limited mind capacities to grasp.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “ No Muslim invokes with a supplication, but Allah answers it in one of the following three ways: He promptly answers his supplication, or delays it for him until the hereafter, or keeps him away from an equivalent evil.” – Hadith narrated by Imam at-Tirmidhi.
Submitting to God’s will and accepting what he ordains will instill a matchless feeling of content and serenity.
Sometimes you need that time (the time between asking Allah to fulfill a certain matter for you and getting your call answered) to learn about your request, and sometimes you find out that it was not the best thing for you and you thank God that it did not happen. Sometimes you need that time to develop a level of emotional, mental, or psychological maturity and readiness that you lack before receiving this matter that you ask Allah to fulfill for you. And in some other times you need to establish a certain level of closeness to Allah and that’s why He (SWT) keeps you invoking for sometime to actually enforce a divine bond that you might have forsaken for a while. You see, in all situations, it’s for the best of you. So rest assured you are in the care of He who knows what’s best for you.
How to get your Dua answered?
We, Muslims, are advised to appeal to God and always engage our tongues, hearts and minds in remembrance of him, whether through Dhikr and reviving our faith in his attributes or actually asking for matters that we need. Likewise, we are told of the best times to supplicate and make Dua, such as:
– Late at night at the last third of the night
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: ‘In the last third of every night Allah (SWT)) 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?.”‘ – Narrated by Imam Bukhari
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: ‘There is at night an hour, no Muslim happens to be asking Allah any matter of this world or the Hereafter, except that he will be given it, and this (occurs) every night.”- Narrated by Imam Muslim
– Between Adhan and Iqamah
Anas (Amay Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: ‘A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama is not rejected.’- Narrated by Imams Ahmad, abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, and al-Nasai
– During the holy month of Ramadan
Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘When Ramadan comes, the Doors of Mercy (another narration says Paradise) are opened, and the doors of Hell are closed, and the Shaitans are locked up’ Thus, it is clear that du’a during Ramadan has a greater chance of being accepted, as the Gates of Paradise and Mercy are opened. – Narrated by Imams Bukhari and Muslim
– An hour on Friday
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that: Allah’s Messenger (SAW) talked about Friday and said: ‘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 (SAW) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands.- Narrated by Imam Bukhari
– While drinking Zamzam water
Jaber (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: ‘Zamzam water is for what it is drunk for.’- Narrated by Imams Ahmad and ibn Majah
– While prostrating
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW), said: ‘The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah (SWT) much in it.- Narrated by Imams Muslim, abu Dawud, al Nasa’i and others
– During the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: ‘There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than during these ten days”.- Narrated by Imam Bukhari.
– While gathering for remembering Allah (engaging in act of Dhikr)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: If a group of people sit together remembering Allah, the angels will circle them, mercy will shroud them, peace will descend onto them and Allah will remember them among those with Him.- Narrated by Imam Muslim
– At the end of every obligatory prayer:
Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) said the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked; ‘Which du’a is heard (by Allah)?’ He answered, ‘At midnight and at the end of every obligatory prayer.’- Narrated by Imam At-Tirmidhi
– During war and when the Armies meet
Sahl ibn Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) narrtaed that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Two duas are never rejected, or rarely rejected: the du’a during the call for prayer, and the du’a during the clamity when the two armies attack each other’- Narrated by Imams abu Dawood and ibn Majah
– Dua of a son or daughter obedient to his/her parents
It is well known in the story narrated in Hadith os three men who were trapped by a huge stone in a cave. One of them who was kind to kiss parents asked Allah to remove the stone, and his supplication was answered. – Narraed by Imam Bukhari
– Dua of people after the death of a person
Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (peace bu upon him) said, when Abu Salamah had just passed away, and had closed his eyes, ‘Do not ask for yourselves anything but good, for the angels will say ‘Ameen’ to all that you ask for. O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah, and raise his ranks among those who are guided.’ – Narrated by Imams Muslim, abu Dawud and Ahmad
– Dua of a fasting person until he breaks his fast
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said; ‘Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler.- Narrated by Imams at-Tirmidhi and al-Bayhaqi
– Dua of the one fasting at the time of breaking fast, and that of a just ruler
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Three men whose supplication is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.”- Narrated by Imams Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi
– After partial Ablution or Wudu
Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: ‘There is not one of you that makes wudu, and does it perfectly, then says: I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. he is Alone, having no partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger’, except that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him, and he can enter into it through whichever one he pleases’ – Narrated by Imams Abu Dawud, Muslim, Ahmad, and Al Nasa’i- saying what has been mentioned in the hadith that is directly related to it (ablution)
– After stoning the Jamarat during Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca)
It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) would stone the small Jamarah (one of the three pillars that is stoned in the last days of Hajj), then face the qiblah, raise his hands, and make du’a for a long time. He would then stone the middle Jamarah and do the same. When he stoned the large Jamarah, he would depart without making any du’a.- Narrated by Imam Bukhari and other Imams.
– On the Day of Arafat
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: ‘The best supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafat’. – Narrated by Imams at-Tirmidhi and Malik
– When it’s raining
Sahel Ibn Sa’ad (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: ‘Two will not be rejected, Supplication when the Adhan (call of prayer) is being called, and at the time of the rain’. – Narrated by Imams abu Dawood and ibn Majah
– While at the Ka’ba, and at the Hijr
The Dua of he who prays in the hijr is considered as being made inside the ka’bah, as it is part of the Ka’ba. Usamah ibn Zayd narrated, ‘When the Prophet (SAW) entered the House (Ka’bah), he made du’a in all of its corners- Narraetd by Imam Muslim
– On the Night Of ‘Qadr’ (Decree)
– During the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that Allah the Exalted had said: ‘ I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My servant has lauded Me. When he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of Judgment, He remarks: My servant has glorified Me, and sometimes He will say: My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me. When he (the worshipper) says: Thee do we worship and of Thee do we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshipper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious — not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.- Narrated by Imam Muslim
– Saying ‘Ameen’ during congregation prayer
After the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah, behind an Imam and saying ‘Ameen’ in a congregation prayer. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘When the Imam says ‘Ameen’, then recite it behind him (as well), because whoever’s Ameen coincides with the Ameen of the angels will have all of his sins forgiven.’ – Narrated by Imam Bukhari and others.
– While on mount Safa or Marwah while performing Hajj or Umrah (lesser pilgrimage)
– Upon hearing the crowing of a rooster
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘When you hear a rooster crowing, then ask Allah for His bounties, for it has seen an angel, and when you hear a donkey braying, then seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan, for it has seen a Shaitan’- Narrated by Imams Muslim and Ahmad
Know that you are in an endless need for Allah (SWT) and know that your Duas are answered, but it happens however and whenever He sees best. Having developed faith in Allah and put your sole trust in His Supreme Wisdom, ask Him and know that you shall be given. Supplicate, and don’t wonder much about the outcome. Know that whatever happens, happens for a reason, and for what works best for you in this life and the hereafter. Enforce such belief in your heart and perplex your soul and mind no more.
Wassalaam,
Maha Youssuf
maha@muslimtribune.org
Posted on: July 22, 2011
