If you wish to communicate with Allāh and seek His guidance, mercy, and help, you must turn to Du'ā. It is a sacred means of connecting deeply with our Creator, and its significance is emphasised throughout the Qur'ān and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Allāh says:
وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ
“Your Lord has proclaimed: Call upon Me, I will respond to you. Surely those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, fully humbled.” (Qur'ān 40:60)
- Similarly, the Prophet ﷺ said:
"الدُّعَاءُ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ"
"Supplication is an act of worship." (Sunan Abī Dāwūd 1481)
However, there are etiquettes and manners that one should observe when making Du'ā to ensure it is most pleasing to Allāh. Let’s explore twelve essential tips for getting your Du'ās answered.
1. Sincerity
Be sincere in Du'ās, and ensure your intention is solely for Allah, without associating any partners with Him. Avoid any form of shirk by seeking help directly from Allah.
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)
Acknowledge that Allah alone holds ultimate power and authority. Place your complete trust in Allah, without depending solely on worldly means. This sincerity deepens your connection with Allah and brings you closer to having your Du'ās answered.
- In a hadith, the Prophet Muhammad 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
For a supplication to be answered, it is essential that the person prays with a present heart, humble before Allah, knowing that He answers supplications and is capable of everything.
One must not supplicate with a heedless or distracted heart but should turn to Allah with full sincerity, hoping for His response. They must recognise that He is the Rich, the Praiseworthy, the Wise, and the All-Knowing.
3. Beware of Consuming What Is Forbidden
A person should be mindful of their 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.
4. Start by Praising Allāh and Sending Salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ
Before making any request to Allāh, begin by praising Him and sending salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ.
- The Prophet ﷺ once overheard a man making Du'ā without sending salutations and said:
"إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَبْدَأْ بِتَحْمِيدِ اللَّهِ وَالثَّنَاءِ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ لِيُصَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ لِيَدْعُ بَعْدُ بِمَا شَاءَ"
“When one of you wants to supplicate, let him begin by expressing gratitude to Allāh and praising Him. Then, let him send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ, then let him supplicate after that, whatever he wishes.” (Jami’ al-Tirmidhī 3477)
It shows the need to start our prayers with the right tone and respect before asking for anything.
5. Make Du'ā in Times of Ease and Hardship
Don't reserve Du'ā for moments of desperation. 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)
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)
6. Avoid Supplicating Against Yourself or Others
Never make Du'ā against yourself, your family, 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, 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 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)
8. Humble Yourself Before Allāh
Humility is key in Du'ā. Approach Allāh with humility and reverence, acknowledging your shortcomings.
- Allāh says:
فَأَخَذْنَاهُم بِالْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ - فَلَوْلَا إِذْ جَاءَهُم بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوا
“Then We seized them with poverty and hardship that perhaps they might humble themselves [to Us]. Then why, when Our punishment came to them, did they not humble themselves?” (Qur'ān 6:42 - 43)
- 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)
9. Crying in Du'ā
When making Du'ā, try to cry out of humility and submission to Allāh. The Prophet ﷺ would weep when making Du'ā, and he mentioned that previous prophets, such as Ibrāhīm عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and ‘Īsā عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, also cried when asking for mercy for their people.
- 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 .
Verily the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) recited the words of Allah, the Great and Glorious, that Ibrahim uttered. My Lord! lo! They have led many of mankind astray:" But whoso followeth me, he verily is of me" (al-Qur'an, xiv. 35) and Jesus (peace be upon him) said:" If thou punisheth them, lo! they are Thy slaves, and if Thou forgiveth them-verily Thou art the Mighty, the Wise" (al-Qur'an, v 117).
Then he raised his hands and said: O Lord, my Ummah, my Ummah, and wept; so Allah the High and the Exalted said: O Gabriel, go to Muhammad (though your Lord knows it fully well) and ask him: What makes thee weep?
So Gabriel (peace be upon him) came to him and asked him, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) informed him what he had said (though Allah knew it fully well). Upon this Allah said: O Gabriel, go to Muhammad and say: Verily We will please thee with regard to your Ummah and would not displease thee. (Sahih Muslim 202)
10. Be Consistent in Your Supplications
Persistence is essential in Du'ā. Don't give up after making Du'ā once—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)
11. Acknowledge Your Sins
Recognising your sins is crucial in Du'ā.
- 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
You can make your Du'ā more effective by invoking Allāh through His names and attributes, or by asking through your righteous deeds.
- An example of this is in the Aayah:
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)
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
The Prophet ﷺ would repeat his Du'ā three times.
- Ibn Mas’ūd رضي الله عنه reported:
بَيْنَمَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي عِنْدَ الْبَيْتِ وَأَبُو جَهْلٍ وَأَصْحَابٌ لَهُ جُلُوسٌ وَقَدْ نُحِرَتْ جَزُورٌ بِالأَمْسِ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَهْلٍ أَيُّكُمْ يَقُومُ إِلَى سَلاَ جَزُورِ بَنِي فُلاَنٍ فَيَأْخُذُهُ فَيَضَعُهُ فِي كَتِفَىْ مُحَمَّدٍ إِذَا سَجَدَ فَانْبَعَثَ أَشْقَى الْقَوْمِ فَأَخَذَهُ فَلَمَّا سَجَدَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَضَعَهُ بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ قَالَ فَاسْتَضْحَكُوا وَجَعَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ يَمِيلُ عَلَى بَعْضٍ وَأَنَا قَائِمٌ أَنْظُرُ . لَوْ كَانَتْ لِي مَنَعَةٌ طَرَحْتُهُ عَنْ ظَهْرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَالنَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم سَاجِدٌ مَا يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ حَتَّى انْطَلَقَ إِنْسَانٌ فَأَخْبَرَ فَاطِمَةَ فَجَاءَتْ وَهِيَ جُوَيْرِيَةُ فَطَرَحَتْهُ عَنْهُ . ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ تَشْتِمُهُمْ فَلَمَّا قَضَى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلاَتَهُ رَفَعَ صَوْتَهُ ثُمَّ دَعَا عَلَيْهِمْ وَكَانَ إِذَا دَعَا دَعَا ثَلاَثًا . وَإِذَا سَأَلَ سَأَلَ ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ قَالَ " اللَّهُمَّ عَلَيْكَ بِقُرَيْشٍ " . ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَلَمَّا سَمِعُوا صَوْتَهُ ذَهَبَ عَنْهُمُ الضِّحْكُ وَخَافُوا دَعْوَتَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ " اللَّهُمَّ عَلَيْكَ بِأَبِي جَهْلِ بْنِ هِشَامٍ وَعُتْبَةَ بْنِ رَبِيعَةَ وَشَيْبَةَ بْنِ رَبِيعَةَ وَالْوَلِيدِ بْنِ عُقْبَةَ وَأُمَيَّةَ بْنِ خَلَفٍ وَعُقْبَةَ بْنِ أَبِي مُعَيْطٍ " . وَذَكَرَ السَّابِعَ وَلَمْ أَحْفَظْهُ فَوَالَّذِي بَعَثَ مُحَمَّدًا صلى الله عليه وسلم بِالْحَقِّ لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ الَّذِينَ سَمَّى صَرْعَى يَوْمَ بَدْرٍ ثُمَّ سُحِبُوا إِلَى الْقَلِيبِ قَلِيبِ بَدْرٍ
While the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was saying his prayer near the Ka'ba and Abu Jahl with his companions was sitting (near by), Abu Jahl said, referring to the she-camel that had been slaughtered the previous day: Who will rise to fetch the foetus of the she-camel of so and so, and place it between the shoulders of Muhammad when he goes down in prostration (a posture in prayer).
The one most accursed among the people got up, brought the foetus and, when the Prophet (ﷺ) went down in prostration, placed it between his shoulders. Then they laughed at him and some of them leaned upon the others with laughter. And I stood looking. If I had the power, I would have thrown it away from the back of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).
The Prophet (ﷺ) had bent down his head in prostration and did not raise it, until a man went (to his house) and informed (his daughter) Fatima, who was a young girl (at that time) (about this ugly incident). She came and removed (the filthy thing) from him. Then she turned towards them rebuking them (the mischief-mongers).
When the Prophet (ﷺ) had finished his prayer, he invoked God's imprecations upon them in a loud voice. When he prayed, he prayed thrice, and when he asked for God's blessings, he asked thrice.
Then he said thrice: O Allah, it is for Thee to deal with the Quraish. When they heard his voice, laughter vanished from them and they feared his malediction. Then he said: O God, it is for Thee to deal with Abu Jahl b. Hisham, 'Utba b. Rabi'a, Shaiba b. Rabi'a. Walid b. Uqba, Umayya b. Khalaf, Uqba b. Abu Mu'ait (and he mentioned the name of the seventh person. which I did not remember).
By One Who sent Muhammad with truth, I saw (all) those he had named lying slain on the Day of Badr. Their dead bodies were dragged to be thrown into a pit near the battlefield. (Sahih Muslim 1794a)
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, you ensure your Du'ā aligns with the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ, and thus, it is more likely to be accepted by Allāh. May Allāh grant us sincerity, humility, and consistency in our supplications.
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