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Pray
Dua is conversation with Allah (SWT), out Creator, our Lord and Master, the All
Knowing, the All Powerful. We ask Allah (SWT) to show us the way to handle that
difficulty; we seek His help in following the path He shows to us; we seek His
aid in making our efforts successful.
Dua is the essence of ibadah. A person engaged in Dua affirms his belief in Tawheed
(monotheism) and shuns belief in all false gods. With each Dua his belief in Allah (SWT)
grows. He beseeches Him, affirming his own powerlessness. A person seriously and sincerely
engaged in Dua understands exactly the relationship between himself and the Creator and
affirms it through his actions.
During the battle of Badr, the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) stood up all night in prayer seeking
Allah's help in the battle between unequal armies that would follow the next day.
In the decisive battles against the crusaders, Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi was busy day and
night. His days were devoted to Jihad. His nights were spent making Dua, crying, seeking
Allah's help.
At the same time we should ask with great hope and conviction that we shall be granted
our prayers. We should remember the Hadith: "There is nothing more dear to Allah than
a servant making Dua to Him." On the other hand, a prayer lacking concentration and
conviction is no prayer at all.
We should make Dua at all times, not only during times of distress. The Prophet Muhammad
(SAWS) said: "Whosoever desires that Allah answers his Duas in unfavorable and difficult
conditions, he should make plentiful Dua in days of ease and comfort." Also he said:
"The person who does not ask from Allah, Allah becomes angry with him."
We should ask for all of our needs: those related to this world as well as those related
to the Hereafter.
We should make Dua not only for ourselves but also for our parents, brothers and sisters,
spouses and children, relatives and friends, teachers and other benefactors, and
destitute and struggling Muslims everywhere. We should pray for them for the good in
this world as well as in the Hereafter.
The Prophet (SWAS) said: "The Dua of a Muslim for his brother (in Islam) 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, 'Aameen. And may you also be blessed with
the same.'" (Sahih Muslim)
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