Dua

It is quite normal that in time of difficulty or distress, we think of someone who can relieve us. At that moment, several means come to mind. We think of many people and many ways. Not everyone that we think of will be able to help us. There are those who can help us but who will not want to. Similarly, there are those who want to help us but who have impediments and the majority are in the category of those who, practically do not have the ability to help. Now, when we contemplate, we see that the capacity of those who can help us is limited. It is restricted somewhere. They can neither help at all levels, nor for all problems, nor forever. At that moment, a person sees that there is only one being who can help him at all level and who has no impediment because He has power over everything. Everything is fully under His control. And this one being is Allah Ta'ala. The request that we make to Allah Ta'ala to attain something or to be protected against something harmful or to be relieved of a difficulty is called Dua. While making Dua, it is important for a person to acknowledge within himself his full incapacity and the absolute capacity of Allah Ta'ala alone. It is in relation to this state of mind that Rasulullah (Sallalaahu Alaihi Wasallam) classified Dua as 'Mukh-kh-ul Ibaadah' or the essence of Ibaadah because the essence or spirit of Ibaadah is that a person humbles himself totally in front of the greatness of Allah Ta'ala. This state of mind is best manifested when a person makes Dua and begs Allah Ta'ala for His assistance.

There are several formulas that Nabi (Sallalaahu Alaihi Wasallam) recommended to recite when making Dua and according to Nabi (Sallalaahu Alaihi Wasallam), they contain Al-Ism-ul-A'zam. Nabi (Sallalaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said that Al-Ism-ul-A'zam is the name of Allah Ta'ala that ensures the acceptance of Dua. It is hard to mention exactly what this name is. Many have tried to identify it. Thus, it is easier to recite all these formulas when making Dua.

In addition to that, what is important is our state of mind. We withdraw our trust from all things and place it solely on Allah Ta'ala. There is an extraordinary effect in making Dua with such a state of mind. Something very effective for the acceptance of Dua is to read Durud Shareef at the beginning, in the middle and before ending the Dua.

[English Version of "Dou'aa" – Al Jamiat – Vol.7 No.3]