Du'ā is the way we communicate to Allah, it is through Du'ā that, Moses got a job and a family, Jacob reunited with his son, Angels were sent to support the Muslims in the Battle of Badr, and it is Du'ā that made even a normal person, Aaron, a prophet who would share Moses in his task…
- Truly, as the Prophet ﷺ stated:
لَا يَرُدُّ الْقَضَاءَ إِلَّا الدُّعَاءُ
“Nothing repels the divine decree but Du'ā ” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2139)
It is the strongest weapon we have as believers…to overcome any problem, to attain any wish, and most of all… one of the best ways to get close to Allah.
- Allah says :
وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ٱدْعُونِىٓ أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ
“Your Lord has proclaimed, 'Call upon Me, I will respond to you.' (Qur'an 40:60)
- Similarly, the Prophet ﷺ said:
الدُّعَاءُ مُخُّ الْعِبَادَةِ
“Du’ā is the essence of worship.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3371)
And as Ibn al-Qayyim said, “Du’ā is like a weapon, and a weapon is only as good as the person who is using it; it is not merely the matter of how sharp it is. If the weapon is perfect and free of faults, and the arm of the person using it is strong, and there is nothing stopping him, then he can lay waste to the enemy.”
So let's learn how to use this weapon.
1. Sincerity
We must be sincere in Du'ās, and ensure our intentions are solely for Allah, without associating any partners with him, avoiding any form of shirk by seeking help directly from Allah.
Think of sincerity like holding the weapon, if our Du’ā has shirk involved, then it would be useless and won't achieve anything.
- As Allah says :
لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِن قِطْمِيرٍ
"All authority belongs to Him. But those ˹idols˺ you invoke besides Him do not possess even the skin of a date stone” (Qur'an 35:13)
How can someone who doesn't even own a skin of a date stone answer our needs? Thus, we must call upon only Allah.
- Allah also says:
وَأَنَّ ٱلْمَسَـٰجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ أَحَدًا
“And the mosques are for Allah (alone), so do not invoke anyone along with Allah.” (Qur'an 72:18)
We must first acknowledge that Allah alone holds ultimate power and authority and place our complete trust in Allah, without depending solely on worldly means.
- Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ didn't just split the sea by his own action but because he also said:
إِنَّ مَعِىَ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ
"My Lord is certainly with me—He will guide me.” (Qur'an 26:62)
This sincerity deepens our connection with Allah and brings us closer to having our Du'ās answered.
- In a hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said:
إِذَا سَأَلْتَ فَاسْأَلِ اللَّهَ وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْتَ فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ
“When you ask, ask Allah, and when you seek help, seek help from Allah.” (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 2516)
2. Presence of Heart
Imagine someone talks to us, but his heart is elsewhere, not focusing at all, wouldn't that be disrespectful?
And on the contrary, if the person is focused with their full attention, pouring their heart into a conversation, wouldn't we appreciate it? So, how about Allah, who is Ash-Shakoor?
For a supplication to be answered, it is essential that we pray with a present heart, humbling ourselves before Allah, knowing that He answers supplications and is capable of everything!
We must not supplicate with a heedless or distracted heart but should turn to Allah with full sincerity, hoping for His response.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
ادْعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَنْتُمْ مُوقِنُونَ بِالْإِجَابَةِ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَجِيبُ دُعَاءً مِنْ قَلْبٍ غَافِلٍ لَاهٍ
“Call upon Allah with certainty that He will answer you. Know that Allah will not answer the supplication of an unmindful and distracted heart.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3479)
We must recognise that He is the Rich, the Praiseworthy, the Wise, and the All-Knowing.
3. Avoiding Forbidden Consumptions
We should be mindful of our food, drink, and clothing, ensuring that they are lawful. It is essential to avoid anything prohibited by Allah, such as usury and other unlawful earnings.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ طَيِّبٌ لاَ يَقْبَلُ إِلاَّ طَيِّبًا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ أَمَرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِمَا أَمَرَ بِهِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ فَقَالَ { يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا إِنِّي بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ} وَقَالَ { يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ} " . ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ الرَّجُلَ يُطِيلُ السَّفَرَ أَشْعَثَ أَغْبَرَ يَمُدُّ يَدَيْهِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ يَا رَبِّ يَا رَبِّ وَمَطْعَمُهُ حَرَامٌ وَمَشْرَبُهُ حَرَامٌ وَمَلْبَسُهُ حَرَامٌ وَغُذِيَ بِالْحَرَامِ فَأَنَّى يُسْتَجَابُ لِذَلِكَ "
O people, Allah is Good and He therefore, accepts only that which is good. And Allah commanded the believers as He commanded the Messengers by saying: "O Messengers, eat of the good things, and do good deeds; verily I am aware of what you do". And He said: "O those who believe, eat of the good things that We gave you". He then made a mention of a person who travels widely, his hair dishevelled and covered with dust. He lifts his hand towards the sky (and thus makes the supplication): "O Lord, O Lord," whereas his diet is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, and his clothes are unlawful and his nourishment is unlawful. How can then his supplication be accepted? (Sahih Muslim 1015)
This is a stern warning, highlighting that consuming forbidden food, drink, or clothing is among the greatest causes of being deprived of an answered supplication, afterall how can our sword cut it's target when it's sharpness is hindered by dirt?
4. Starting by Praising Allāh and Sending Salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ
Allah loves to be praised — yet no matter how much we praise Him, it will never equal what He truly deserves.
Our Prophet ﷺ said:
لَيْسَ أَحَدٌ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ الْمَدْحُ مِنَ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ
“No one loves to be praised more than Allah Almighty” (al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr lil-Ṭabarānī 836)
If we were simply asked a request versus having a favour done to us, or something we love then asked a request, when are we more likely to accept the request?
Thus before making any request to Allāh, it is best to begin by praising Him and also sending salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ.
- Umar Ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه said:
قَالَ إِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ مَوْقُوفٌ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ لاَ يَصْعَدُ مِنْهُ شَيْءٌ حَتَّى تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى نَبِيِّكَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
“Verily, the supplication is suspended between the heavens and the earth. Nothing ascends from it until you send blessings upon your Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 486)
5. Making Du'ā in Times of Ease and Hardship
We shouldn't reserve Du'ā for moments of desperation. Instead we must call upon Allāh in times of ease and difficulty.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
"مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَسْتَجِيبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ عِنْدَ الشَّدَائِدِ وَالْكُرَبِ فَلْيُكْثِرِ الدُّعَاءَ فِي الرَّخَاءِ"
"Whoever wishes that Allāh would respond to him during hardship and grief, then let him supplicate plentifully when at ease." (Jami' al-Tirmidhī 3382)
We can take a lesson from the Quran: when Yunus عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was in hardship and called out to Allah from the belly of the whale, Allah responded because Yunus عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ worshipped Him in times of ease.
- Allāh says:
فَلَوْلَا أَنَّهُ كَانَ مِنَ الْمُسَبِّحِينَ - لَلَبِثَ فِي بَطْنِهِ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ
“Had he not constantly glorified Allāh, he would have certainly remained in its belly until the Day of Resurrection.” (Qur'ān 37:143-144)
Think of it this way, who are we happier to support, someone who remembers us only when they need us? Or someone who always remembers us? And Allah is more befitting to be remembered subhanahu wa ta’ala.
6. Avoiding Supplicating Against Ourselves or Others
We must never make Du'ā against ourselves, our families, wealth, or children, as it may coincide with a moment of acceptance, and harm may befall them.
- The Prophet ﷺ warned:
"لاَ تَدْعُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَلاَ تَدْعُوا عَلَى أَوْلاَدِكُمْ وَلاَ تَدْعُوا عَلَى خَدَمِكُمْ وَلاَ تَدْعُوا عَلَى أَمْوَالِكُمْ لاَ تُوَافِقُوا مِنَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى سَاعَةَ نَيْلٍ فِيهَا عَطَاءٌ فَيَسْتَجِيبَ لَكُمْ"
“Do not invoke curses on yourselves, on your children, on your servants, or on your property, lest you happen to do it at a time when Allāh grants what is asked, and your prayer is answered.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 3006)
7. Supplicate in a Balanced Voice
When making Du'ā, it's best to maintain a moderate tone, neither too loud nor too quiet.
- Allāh says:
ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
“Call upon your Lord humbly and secretly. Surely He does not like the transgressors.”(Qur'ān 7:55)
- The Prophet ﷺ also advised his companions to lower their voices when making Du'ā:
"يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، ارْبَعُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِكُمْ، فَإِنَّكُمْ لاَ تَدْعُونَ أَصَمَّ وَلاَ غَائِبًا، إِنَّهُ مَعَكُمْ، إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ قَرِيبٌ"
“O people! Be merciful to yourselves, for you are not calling a deaf or an absent one, but One Who is with you, no doubt He is All-Hearer, ever Near.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4205)
And when a companion asked our prophet ﷺ about our lord being close to supplicate in a lower voice or far to call upon him loudly… Allah answered himself, revealing the verse:
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
"When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺” (Qur'ān 2:186)
This also shows us the closeness of our lord to the servants who call upon him, this also emphasizes that we do not need an intermediary between us and him.
8. Humble Yourself Before Allāh
Humility is key in Du'ā. Approach Allāh with humility and reverence, acknowledging your shortcomings.
- Allāh praises His righteous servants for their humility in Du'ā:
إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَيَدْعُونَنَا رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا ۖ وَكَانُوا لَنَا خَاشِعِينَ
“They used to hasten to do good deeds and supplicate to Us with hope and fear, and they were humble before Us.” (Qur'ān 21:90)
- Allah also mentions Zakariyya عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and how he humbled himself before answering his Du'ā:
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَهَنَ ٱلْعَظْمُ مِنِّى وَٱشْتَعَلَ ٱلرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُنۢ بِدُعَآئِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا
“saying, “My Lord! Surely my bones have become brittle, and grey hair has spread across my head, but I have never been disappointed in my prayer to You, my Lord!” (Qur'an 19:4)
- Here we see Zakariyya عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ acknowledging his weakness, fully humbling himself to his lord, and as a result?
يَـٰزَكَرِيَّآ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَـٰمٍ ٱسْمُهُۥ يَحْيَىٰ لَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ سَمِيًّا
˹The angels announced,˺ “O Zachariah! Indeed, We give you the good news of ˹the birth of˺ a son, whose name will be John—a name We have not given to anyone before.” (Qur'an 19:7)
9. Crying in Du'ā
When making Du'ā, we should try to cry out of humility and submission to Allāh. The Prophet ﷺ would weep when making Du'ā, like when he cried for mercy for his ummah.
- This beautiful hadith captures one such instance:
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَلاَ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ { رَبِّ إِنَّهُنَّ أَضْلَلْنَ كَثِيرًا مِنَ النَّاسِ فَمَنْ تَبِعَنِي فَإِنَّهُ مِنِّي} الآيَةَ . وَقَالَ عِيسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ { إِنْ تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ وَإِنْ تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ} فَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ وَقَالَ " اللَّهُمَّ أُمَّتِي أُمَّتِي " . وَبَكَى فَقَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَا جِبْرِيلُ اذْهَبْ إِلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَرَبُّكَ أَعْلَمُ فَسَلْهُ مَا يُبْكِيكَ فَأَتَاهُ جِبْرِيلُ - عَلَيْهِ الصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلاَمُ - فَسَأَلَهُ فَأَخْبَرَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِمَا قَالَ . وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ . فَقَالَ اللَّهُ يَا جِبْرِيلُ اذْهَبْ إِلَى مُحَمَّدٍ فَقُلْ إِنَّا سَنُرْضِيكَ فِي أُمَّتِكَ وَلاَ نَسُوءُكَ .
The Prophet ﷺ recited the verse about Ibraaheem (peace be upon him), “O my Lord! They have indeed led astray many among mankind. But whoso follows me, he verily, is of me” [Ibrahim 14:36], and the verse in which ‘Iesa said, “If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily, You, only You, are the All‑Mighty, the All‑Wise” [al-Ma'idah 5:118].
Then he raised his hands and said: “O Allah, my ummah, my ummah.” Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, said: “O Jibreel, go to Muhammad, although your Lord knows best, and ask him why he is weeping.” So Jibreel (peace be upon him) went to him and asked him, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) told him what he said, although He knows best. Allah said: “O Jibreel, go to Muhammad and say: “I will make you pleased concerning your ummah and not displeased.” (Sahih Muslim 202)
What can be seen is, the weeping of our Prophet ﷺ lead to Allah sending his best angel to inform him that his prayer has been answered, reflecting how this can strengthen ones Du'ā.
10. Be Consistent in Your Supplications
Persistence is essential in Du'ā. We mustn't give up after making Du'ā once, and continue to call upon Allāh.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
"يُسْتَجَابُ لأَحَدِكُمْ مَا لَمْ يَعْجَلْ يَقُولُ دَعَوْتُ فَلَمْ يُسْتَجَبْ لِي"
“One of you will be answered so long as he is not hasty and says, ‘I supplicated, but it was not answered.’” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6340)
After all, Allah is Al-Fattah. If we keep knocking the door he will eventually open it!
- Patience is key, always remember what Allah said:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
"Allah is truly with those who are patient.’ (Qur'an 2:153)
11. Acknowledge Your Sins
Recognising our sins is crucial in Du'ā. As our prophet ﷺ informed us about the traveller whose Du'ā was less likely to be accepted due to his sins, as seen in point 3.
- And the Prophet ﷺ taught us the most superior form of seeking forgiveness, which includes acknowledging one’s sins:
"سَيِّدُ الاِسْتِغْفَارِ أَنْ تَقُولَ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَىَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ"
“The most superior supplication for forgiveness is to say: O Allah, You are my Lord, none has the right to be worshipped except You, You created me and I am Your slave and I abide to Your covenant and promise as best as I can, I seek refuge with You from the evil of which I have committed. I acknowledge Your favour upon me and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for verily none can forgive sin except You.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6306)
12. Use Legislated Tawassul
- Tawassul is a means to draw closer to Allah, as Allah says:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱبْتَغُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ
“O believers! Be mindful of Allah and seek what brings you closer to Him” (Qur'an 5:35)
This can make our Du'ā more effective by invoking Allāh through His names and attributes, or by asking through our righteous deeds.
- An example of these are in the Aayahs:
رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا بِمَا أَنزَلْتَ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ
“Our Lord, we have believed in what You revealed and have followed the Messenger, so register us among the witnesses.” (Qur'ān 3:53)
وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا
“Allah has the Most Beautiful Names. So call upon Him by them Qur'an” (7:180)
Additional Tips
Raise Your Hands
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged raising one’s hands when making Du'ā.
- Abū Mūsā رضي الله عنه reported:
"ثُمَّ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ...وَرَأَيْتُ بَيَاضَ إِبْطَيْهِ"
“Then he raised his hands…and I saw the whiteness of his armpits.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4323)
- Also, the Prophet ﷺ said:
"إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَيِيٌّ كَرِيمٌ يَسْتَحِي إِذَا رَفَعَ الرَّجُلُ إِلَيْهِ يَدَيْهِ أَنْ يَرُدَّهُمَا صِفْرًا خَائِبَتَيْنِ"
“Indeed, Allah, is Shy, Generous, when a man raises his hands to Him, He feels too shy to return them to him empty and rejected” (Jami’ al-Tirmidhī 3556)
Repeat Your Du'ā Three Times
Looking into the Sunnah we would see that the Prophet ﷺ would repeat his Du'ā three times.
- Ibn Mas’ūd رضي الله عنه reported:
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا دَعَا دَعَا ثَلَاثًا وَإِذَا سَأَلَ اللَّه سَأَلَ ثَلَاثًا
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, when he would supplicate, he would supplicate three times, and when he would ask Allah, he would ask three times. (Sahih Muslim 1794)
Do Not Place an Intermediary Between You and Allāh
When making Du'ā, ask Allāh directly without placing any intermediaries.
- Allāh says:
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ
“When My servants ask you about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me.” (Qur'ān 2:186)
Conclusion
By following these twelve etiquettes, we ensure our Du'ā aligns with the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ, and thus, it is more likely to be accepted by Allāh.
- As Allah says:
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “If you ˹sincerely˺ love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur'an 3:31)
Those who are closer to Allah’s love are closer to their Du'ā being accepted. Seeking knowledge is the greatest means to get to know the Sunnah of our Prophet ﷺ so we can gain Allah’s love.
Invest in your hereafter with us, where we will hold your hands through this journey, from the very beginning, starting from the Arabic alphabet, up until you can be someone calling to Allah yourself!
May Allāh grant us sincerity, humility, and consistency in our supplications.
