Source: Khutbat Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq Zahid, Compiled by: Tawheed.com
The most valuable relationship in a person’s life is with their Creator and Master — Allah, Lord of the Worlds. When a servant raises their hands before their Lord in humility and submissiveness, expresses their needs, admits their weaknesses, and seeks help from Him alone — this act is known as duʿā (supplication).
Duʿā is the purest expression of love, hope, fear, and servitude between the servant and his Lord.
In this article, we will shed light on:
✿ The importance and excellence of duʿā
✿ Its need and etiquettes
✿ The means for its acceptance,
so that we can better understand this profound act of worship and make it impactful in our lives.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةِ الدُّعَاءُ"
“The most excellent act of worship is duʿā.”
Duʿā is considered the highest form of worship because it manifests a slave’s utmost humility, acknowledgment of weakness, and praise of Allah with both heart and tongue. The servant, with full sincerity, turns to Allah alone and entrusts all matters to Him.
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
"الدُّعَاءُ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ"
“Duʿā is worship.”
Then he recited:
﴿ وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ﴾
﴿ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ ﴾
“And your Lord said: Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Verily, those who are too arrogant to worship Me will enter Hell in humiliation.”
[Surah Ghāfir: 60]
This verse proves clearly that duʿā is a form of worship, and to neglect it out of arrogance is a sign of turning away from ʿibādah.
The Qur’an begins with Sūrat al-Fātiḥah, which is a complete duʿā:
﴿ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ﴾
“Guide us to the straight path.”
It ends with Sūrat al-Falaq and Sūrat an-Nās, both being prayers seeking protection from evil — reflecting the Qur’an’s comprehensive message: Turn to Allah in every condition and seek His help alone.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"لَيْسَ شَيْءٌ أَكْرَمَ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنَ الدُّعَاءِ"
“There is nothing more honorable in the sight of Allah than duʿā.”
Furthermore, he ﷺ said:
"مَنْ لَمْ يَسْأَلِ اللَّهَ يَغْضَبْ عَلَيْهِ"
“Whoever does not ask Allah, He becomes angry with him.”
What a Merciful Lord — He commands His servants to ask, promises response, and even gets displeased when they don’t ask!
Duʿā is a unique act of worship with no restrictions of time, place, or situation — one may call upon Allah during the day or night, on land or sea, in ease or hardship.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"إِذَا سَأَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيُكْثِرْ، فَإِنَّمَا يَسْأَلُ رَبَّهُ"
“When one of you supplicates, let him ask a lot, for he is asking his Lord.”
Allah ﷻ said:
﴿ قُلْ مَا يَعْبَأُ بِكُمْ رَبِّي لَوْلَا دُعَاؤُكُمْ ﴾
“Say: My Lord would not care for you were it not for your supplication.”
[Surah al-Furqān: 77]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"لَا يَرُدُّ الْقَضَاءَ إِلَّا الدُّعَاءُ، وَلَا يَزِيدُ فِي الْعُمْرِ إِلَّا الْبِرُّ"
“Nothing repels destiny except duʿā, and nothing increases lifespan except righteousness.”
Allah ﷻ said about His chosen servants:
﴿ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَيَدْعُونَنَا رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا ﴾
“Indeed, they used to hasten in doing good deeds, and they called upon Us with hope and fear.”
[Surah al-Anbiyā’: 90]
This teaches us that duʿā is a consistent trait of sincere servitude.
For duʿā to be truly effective, it must adhere to certain etiquettes prescribed in the Sunnah:
Allah ﷻ said:
﴿ فَادْعُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ ﴾
“So call upon Allah, making your religion sincere to Him alone.”
[Surah Ghāfir: 14]
Duʿā must be made only to Allah, with no association of others — invoking saints, prophets, graves, or the deceased is shirk (polytheism).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"إِذَا سَأَلْتَ فَاسْأَلِ اللَّهَ، وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْتَ فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ"
“When you ask, ask Allah. When you seek help, seek it from Allah.”
The Prophet ﷺ would face the Qiblah in duʿā. On the day of Badr, he turned to the Qiblah and raised his hands, saying:
"اللَّهُمَّ أَنْجِزْ لِي مَا وَعَدْتَنِي…"
[Muslim: 1763]
This shows that in times of distress, one should face the Qiblah in humility when making duʿā.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَيِيٌّ كَرِيمٌ…"
“Indeed, Allah is shy and generous. When His servant raises his hands, He is shy to return them empty.”
[at-Tirmidhī: 3556, Ibn Mājah: 3865]
He also said:
"فَاسْأَلُوهُ بِبُطُونِ أَكُفِّكُمْ وَلَا تَسْأَلُوهُ بِظُهُورِهَا"
“When you ask, ask with the palms upward, not with the backs of your hands.”
[Abū Dāwūd: 1488]
The Prophet ﷺ taught that one should begin duʿā by praising Allah and sending salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ.
"When someone only supplicated without praise or salutation, the Prophet said: You were hasty…"
[at-Tirmidhī: 3476]
ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها said:
"The Prophet ﷺ preferred concise, comprehensive supplications."
[Abū Dāwūd: 1482]
One such duʿā is:
"اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ"
“O Allah, I ask You for pardon and well-being in this world and the Hereafter.”
Allah ﷻ said:
﴿ اُدْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً ﴾
“Call upon your Lord with humility and in secret.”
[Surah al-Aʿrāf: 55]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"You are not calling upon one who is deaf or absent."
[Bukhārī: 2830]
When Yunus (عليه السلام) was in the belly of the fish, he called upon Allah:
﴿ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴾
“There is no deity except You; Exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.”
[Surah al-Anbiyāʾ: 87]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"No Muslim supplicates with these words except that Allah will accept his supplication."
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the obligations I have enjoined on him. And he continues to draw near with voluntary deeds until I love him… When he asks Me, I give him, and when he seeks refuge in Me, I protect him."
[Bukhārī: 6502]
❀ During Sujūd (prostration):
“The closest a servant comes to his Lord is while in prostration, so increase in duʿā.”
[Muslim: 482]
❀ Between Adhān and Iqāmah:
“Duʿā between the Adhān and Iqāmah is not rejected.”
[Abū Dāwūd: 521]
❀ In the last third of the night:
“Who is calling upon Me so that I may respond to him? Who is asking Me so I may give him? Who is seeking forgiveness so I may forgive him?”
[Muslim: 758]
❀ After obligatory prayers:
“The best duʿā is in the last part of the night and after the obligatory prayers.”
[at-Tirmidhī: 3499]
❀ At the time of Iftār:
“Indeed, the fasting person has a supplication at the time of breaking fast that is not rejected.”
[Ibn Mājah: 1753]
❀ On the Day of Jumuʿah:
“On Friday is an hour in which no Muslim servant asks Allah for something but He grants it.”
[Bukhārī: 935]
❀ During rainfall and at the call to prayer:
“Two duʿās are not rejected: at the time of the call to prayer, and when it rains.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ: 3078]
﴿ وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا ﴾
“And to Allah belong the best names, so call upon Him by them.”
[Surah al-Aʿrāf: 180]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“He has called upon Allah with His Greatest Name — when He is asked by it, He gives; and when supplicated by it, He responds.”
[Musnad Aḥmad: 13595]
﴿ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱبْتَغُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ ﴾
“O you who believe! Fear Allah and seek the means (of nearness) to Him.”
[Surah al-Māʾidah: 35]
As in the story of the three men trapped in a cave, each made duʿā using sincere deeds as a means, and Allah accepted their duʿās.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The supplication of a Muslim for his brother in his absence is accepted. An angel is appointed over it; whenever he makes duʿā for his brother, the angel says: Āmīn! And for you the same.”
[Muslim: 2733]
Despite Allah’s power and mercy, there are hindrances that may prevent duʿā from being accepted:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Indeed, Allah is Pure and accepts only that which is pure.”
He gave the example of a man who undertakes a long journey, unkempt and dusty, raising his hands and saying: “O Lord! O Lord!” but his food, drink, and clothing are from harām sources.
Then the Prophet ﷺ said:
"فَأَنَّىٰ يُسْتَجَابُ لَهُ؟"
“How can his supplication be answered?”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“No Muslim supplicates to Allah with a supplication except that He gives it, or averts an evil equal to it — as long as he does not supplicate for sin or for cutting off family ties.”
[at-Tirmidhī: 3573]
ʿAlī رضي الله عنه said:
“Every supplication is suspended until one sends blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ.”
[Ṭabarānī, Ṣaḥīḥ at-Targhīb: 1675]
ʿUmar رضي الله عنه said:
“Duʿā remains suspended between heaven and earth until one sends salutations upon your Prophet ﷺ.”
[at-Tirmidhī: 486]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Command good and forbid evil before you supplicate and are not responded to.”
[Ibn Mājah: 4004]
He also said:
“You must command good and forbid evil, otherwise Allah will soon send His punishment upon you, and then you will call upon Him but He will not answer you.”
[at-Tirmidhī: 2169]
When asked why our duʿās are not answered, despite Allah saying:
﴿ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ﴾
“Call upon Me; I will respond to you.”
He replied:
Your hearts have died due to ten things:
① You recognized Allah but did not fulfill His rights.
② You consumed His provisions but did not show gratitude.
③ You read the Qur’an but did not act upon it.
④ You claimed the devil was your enemy but befriended him.
⑤ You claimed love for the Prophet ﷺ but abandoned his Sunnah.
⑥ You desired Paradise but did not work for it.
⑦ You feared Hell but did not abstain from sins.
⑧ You observed the faults of others but ignored your own.
⑨ You believed in death but made no preparation.
⑩ You buried the dead but did not take heed.
Therefore, your duʿās are not being accepted.
Duʿā is a manifestation of faith and reliance on Allah.
The one who makes duʿā acknowledges his servitude, while the one who refrains from duʿā is steeped in arrogance.
Let us call upon our Lord in every condition, ask Him alone for help, and bow sincerely before Him.
May Allah grant us the ability to supplicate with sincerity, adopt the etiquettes of duʿā, and act upon all the means that lead to its acceptance.
Āmīn, Yā Rabb al-ʿĀlamīn.
❖ Introduction
The most valuable relationship in a person’s life is with their Creator and Master — Allah, Lord of the Worlds. When a servant raises their hands before their Lord in humility and submissiveness, expresses their needs, admits their weaknesses, and seeks help from Him alone — this act is known as duʿā (supplication).
Duʿā is the purest expression of love, hope, fear, and servitude between the servant and his Lord.
In this article, we will shed light on:
✿ The importance and excellence of duʿā
✿ Its need and etiquettes
✿ The means for its acceptance,
so that we can better understand this profound act of worship and make it impactful in our lives.
❖ The Importance and Virtue of Duʿā
➊ Duʿā is the Greatest Act of Worship
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةِ الدُّعَاءُ"
“The most excellent act of worship is duʿā.”
Reference: al-Ḥākim, authenticated by adh-Dhahabī
Duʿā is considered the highest form of worship because it manifests a slave’s utmost humility, acknowledgment of weakness, and praise of Allah with both heart and tongue. The servant, with full sincerity, turns to Allah alone and entrusts all matters to Him.
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
"الدُّعَاءُ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ"
“Duʿā is worship.”Then he recited:
﴿ وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ﴾
﴿ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ ﴾
“And your Lord said: Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Verily, those who are too arrogant to worship Me will enter Hell in humiliation.”[Surah Ghāfir: 60]
This verse proves clearly that duʿā is a form of worship, and to neglect it out of arrogance is a sign of turning away from ʿibādah.
➋ The Qur’an Begins and Ends with Duʿā
The Qur’an begins with Sūrat al-Fātiḥah, which is a complete duʿā:
﴿ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ﴾
“Guide us to the straight path.”It ends with Sūrat al-Falaq and Sūrat an-Nās, both being prayers seeking protection from evil — reflecting the Qur’an’s comprehensive message: Turn to Allah in every condition and seek His help alone.
➌ Duʿā is the Most Honored Deed Before Allah
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"لَيْسَ شَيْءٌ أَكْرَمَ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنَ الدُّعَاءِ"
“There is nothing more honorable in the sight of Allah than duʿā.”
Reference: at-Tirmidhī: 3370, Ibn Mājah: 3829
Furthermore, he ﷺ said:
"مَنْ لَمْ يَسْأَلِ اللَّهَ يَغْضَبْ عَلَيْهِ"
“Whoever does not ask Allah, He becomes angry with him.”
Reference: at-Tirmidhī: 3373, Ibn Mājah: 3827
What a Merciful Lord — He commands His servants to ask, promises response, and even gets displeased when they don’t ask!
➍ Duʿā Can Be Made in Every Condition
Duʿā is a unique act of worship with no restrictions of time, place, or situation — one may call upon Allah during the day or night, on land or sea, in ease or hardship.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"إِذَا سَأَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيُكْثِرْ، فَإِنَّمَا يَسْأَلُ رَبَّهُ"
“When one of you supplicates, let him ask a lot, for he is asking his Lord.”
Reference: Ibn Ḥibbān – Authentic chain
➎ Duʿā Repels Afflictions
Allah ﷻ said:
﴿ قُلْ مَا يَعْبَأُ بِكُمْ رَبِّي لَوْلَا دُعَاؤُكُمْ ﴾
“Say: My Lord would not care for you were it not for your supplication.”[Surah al-Furqān: 77]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"لَا يَرُدُّ الْقَضَاءَ إِلَّا الدُّعَاءُ، وَلَا يَزِيدُ فِي الْعُمْرِ إِلَّا الْبِرُّ"
“Nothing repels destiny except duʿā, and nothing increases lifespan except righteousness.”
Reference: at-Tirmidhī: 2139
➏ Duʿā was the Way of the Prophets
Allah ﷻ said about His chosen servants:
﴿ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَيَدْعُونَنَا رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا ﴾
“Indeed, they used to hasten in doing good deeds, and they called upon Us with hope and fear.”[Surah al-Anbiyā’: 90]
This teaches us that duʿā is a consistent trait of sincere servitude.
❖ Etiquettes of Duʿā
For duʿā to be truly effective, it must adhere to certain etiquettes prescribed in the Sunnah:
➊ Sincerity (Ikhlāṣ)
Allah ﷻ said:
﴿ فَادْعُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ ﴾
“So call upon Allah, making your religion sincere to Him alone.”[Surah Ghāfir: 14]
Duʿā must be made only to Allah, with no association of others — invoking saints, prophets, graves, or the deceased is shirk (polytheism).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"إِذَا سَأَلْتَ فَاسْأَلِ اللَّهَ، وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْتَ فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ"
“When you ask, ask Allah. When you seek help, seek it from Allah.”
Reference: at-Tirmidhī: 2516
➋ Facing the Qiblah
The Prophet ﷺ would face the Qiblah in duʿā. On the day of Badr, he turned to the Qiblah and raised his hands, saying:
"اللَّهُمَّ أَنْجِزْ لِي مَا وَعَدْتَنِي…"
[Muslim: 1763]This shows that in times of distress, one should face the Qiblah in humility when making duʿā.
➌ Raising the Hands in Duʿā
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَيِيٌّ كَرِيمٌ…"
“Indeed, Allah is shy and generous. When His servant raises his hands, He is shy to return them empty.”[at-Tirmidhī: 3556, Ibn Mājah: 3865]
He also said:
"فَاسْأَلُوهُ بِبُطُونِ أَكُفِّكُمْ وَلَا تَسْأَلُوهُ بِظُهُورِهَا"
“When you ask, ask with the palms upward, not with the backs of your hands.”[Abū Dāwūd: 1488]
➍ Begin with Praise and Salutations
The Prophet ﷺ taught that one should begin duʿā by praising Allah and sending salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ.
"When someone only supplicated without praise or salutation, the Prophet said: You were hasty…"
[at-Tirmidhī: 3476]➎ Use Comprehensive Supplications
ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها said:
"The Prophet ﷺ preferred concise, comprehensive supplications."
[Abū Dāwūd: 1482]One such duʿā is:
"اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ"
“O Allah, I ask You for pardon and well-being in this world and the Hereafter.”➏ Supplicate Humbly and Softly
Allah ﷻ said:
﴿ اُدْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً ﴾
“Call upon your Lord with humility and in secret.”[Surah al-Aʿrāf: 55]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"You are not calling upon one who is deaf or absent."
[Bukhārī: 2830]➊ The Duʿā of Prophet Yunus (عليه السلام)
When Yunus (عليه السلام) was in the belly of the fish, he called upon Allah:
﴿ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴾
“There is no deity except You; Exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.”[Surah al-Anbiyāʾ: 87]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"No Muslim supplicates with these words except that Allah will accept his supplication."
Reference: al-Mustadrak 1/505
➋ Combining Obligatory and Voluntary Deeds
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the obligations I have enjoined on him. And he continues to draw near with voluntary deeds until I love him… When he asks Me, I give him, and when he seeks refuge in Me, I protect him."
[Bukhārī: 6502]➌ Special Times for Acceptance of Duʿā
❀ During Sujūd (prostration):
“The closest a servant comes to his Lord is while in prostration, so increase in duʿā.”[Muslim: 482]
❀ Between Adhān and Iqāmah:
“Duʿā between the Adhān and Iqāmah is not rejected.”[Abū Dāwūd: 521]
❀ In the last third of the night:
“Who is calling upon Me so that I may respond to him? Who is asking Me so I may give him? Who is seeking forgiveness so I may forgive him?”[Muslim: 758]
❀ After obligatory prayers:
“The best duʿā is in the last part of the night and after the obligatory prayers.”[at-Tirmidhī: 3499]
❀ At the time of Iftār:
“Indeed, the fasting person has a supplication at the time of breaking fast that is not rejected.”[Ibn Mājah: 1753]
❀ On the Day of Jumuʿah:
“On Friday is an hour in which no Muslim servant asks Allah for something but He grants it.”[Bukhārī: 935]
❀ During rainfall and at the call to prayer:
“Two duʿās are not rejected: at the time of the call to prayer, and when it rains.”[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ: 3078]
➍ Using the Beautiful Names of Allah (Al-Asmāʾ al-Ḥusnā)
﴿ وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا ﴾
“And to Allah belong the best names, so call upon Him by them.”[Surah al-Aʿrāf: 180]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“He has called upon Allah with His Greatest Name — when He is asked by it, He gives; and when supplicated by it, He responds.”[Musnad Aḥmad: 13595]
➎ Using Righteous Deeds as a Means (Wasilah)
﴿ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱبْتَغُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ ﴾
“O you who believe! Fear Allah and seek the means (of nearness) to Him.”[Surah al-Māʾidah: 35]
As in the story of the three men trapped in a cave, each made duʿā using sincere deeds as a means, and Allah accepted their duʿās.
➏ Duʿā in Absence for a Fellow Muslim
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The supplication of a Muslim for his brother in his absence is accepted. An angel is appointed over it; whenever he makes duʿā for his brother, the angel says: Āmīn! And for you the same.”[Muslim: 2733]
❖ Reasons for Duʿā Not Being Accepted
Despite Allah’s power and mercy, there are hindrances that may prevent duʿā from being accepted:
➊ Consuming Harām (Unlawful) Wealth
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Indeed, Allah is Pure and accepts only that which is pure.”
Reference: Ibn Mājah; authenticated by al-Albānī
He gave the example of a man who undertakes a long journey, unkempt and dusty, raising his hands and saying: “O Lord! O Lord!” but his food, drink, and clothing are from harām sources.
Then the Prophet ﷺ said:
"فَأَنَّىٰ يُسْتَجَابُ لَهُ؟"
“How can his supplication be answered?”➋ Supplicating for Sin or Severing Ties
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“No Muslim supplicates to Allah with a supplication except that He gives it, or averts an evil equal to it — as long as he does not supplicate for sin or for cutting off family ties.”[at-Tirmidhī: 3573]
➌ Not Sending Salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ
ʿAlī رضي الله عنه said:
“Every supplication is suspended until one sends blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ.”[Ṭabarānī, Ṣaḥīḥ at-Targhīb: 1675]
ʿUmar رضي الله عنه said:
“Duʿā remains suspended between heaven and earth until one sends salutations upon your Prophet ﷺ.”[at-Tirmidhī: 486]
➍ Abandoning Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Command good and forbid evil before you supplicate and are not responded to.”[Ibn Mājah: 4004]
He also said:
“You must command good and forbid evil, otherwise Allah will soon send His punishment upon you, and then you will call upon Him but He will not answer you.”[at-Tirmidhī: 2169]
➎ Wise Advice of Ibrāhīm ibn Adham رحمه الله
When asked why our duʿās are not answered, despite Allah saying:
﴿ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ﴾
“Call upon Me; I will respond to you.”
He replied:
Your hearts have died due to ten things:
① You recognized Allah but did not fulfill His rights.
② You consumed His provisions but did not show gratitude.
③ You read the Qur’an but did not act upon it.
④ You claimed the devil was your enemy but befriended him.
⑤ You claimed love for the Prophet ﷺ but abandoned his Sunnah.
⑥ You desired Paradise but did not work for it.
⑦ You feared Hell but did not abstain from sins.
⑧ You observed the faults of others but ignored your own.
⑨ You believed in death but made no preparation.
⑩ You buried the dead but did not take heed.
Therefore, your duʿās are not being accepted.
❖ Conclusion
Duʿā is a manifestation of faith and reliance on Allah.
The one who makes duʿā acknowledges his servitude, while the one who refrains from duʿā is steeped in arrogance.
Let us call upon our Lord in every condition, ask Him alone for help, and bow sincerely before Him.
May Allah grant us the ability to supplicate with sincerity, adopt the etiquettes of duʿā, and act upon all the means that lead to its acceptance.
Āmīn, Yā Rabb al-ʿĀlamīn.
