The Importance of Dua in Islam

Many people experience many hardships and tribulations in their lives that exhaust and tire them, so they turn to Allah Almighty to save them from their suffering and relieve their distress and worry.

Allah is the only refuge from all the sorrows of this world, and He is the only refuge that can never disappoint His servants.

How many supplications have we made and received and how many times have we turned to the Creator, asking Him for mercy and forgiveness? Today, we will shed light on the Importance of Dua in Islam.

The Importance of Dua in Islam

Speaking about the Importance of Dua in Islam, Turning to Allah Almighty through supplication has great importance, benefiting Muslims in this world and the hereafter. These include the following:

Sensing the Closeness of Allah Almighty

Sensing the Closeness of Allah Almighty and His response to supplication; Allah the Almighty says: (وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ)

Al-Sa’di said about the reason for the revelation of this verse that it was revealed in response to a question from some of the Companions about Allah the Almighty.

They said to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “O Messenger of Allah, is our Lord near so that we may confide in Him, or is He far so that we may call upon Him?”

This noble verse clarifies that Allah the Almighty is near, observant, and witness. He knows what the supplicant conceals in his heart and what he declares, so He answers him and gives him what he needs.

Allah Almighty’s Response to Supplication

If the supplicant fulfills the conditions for a response, which are: achieving faith in Allah Almighty, carrying out His commands and avoiding His prohibitions, being present in the heart, and supplicating for something permissible according to Islamic law.

This is because the previous noble verse links attaining guidance and receiving a response to fulfilling these conditions.

Furthermore, a Muslim supplicates to Allah Almighty with certainty and confidence in the answer. He supplicates with resolve, desire, and hope, as the Prophet

(peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Let none of you say, ‘O Allah, forgive me if You will, O Allah, have mercy on me if You will.’ Let him be determined in his request, for there is no one who can compel Him.”

Knowing that supplication is the best form of worship

Because supplication involves invoking and seeking help from Allah Almighty, it demonstrates the servant’s need for Allah Almighty.

Furthermore, Dua in Islam enables a person to disavow his own power and strength and turn to Allah Almighty’s generosity, munificence, power, and strength.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If you ask, ask Allah, and if you seek help, seek help from Allah.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) urged his companions to ask Allah Almighty for all their needs. It was also reported from Aisha

(may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: “I said: O Messenger of Allah, Ibn Jud’an used to maintain family ties and feed the poor during the pre-Islamic period.

Will that benefit him?” He said: “It will not benefit him, for he never said, ‘O Lord, forgive my sin on the Day of Judgment.'”

In this hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) referred to supplication as a manifestation of faith and an effect of its effects.

That lift a person from the circle of disbelief to the spaciousness of faith. This enables a person’s faith to benefit from his righteous deeds.

Knowing that supplication is the most honorable act of worship to Allah

the Almighty, is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Nothing is more honorable to Allah than supplication.”

Knowing that supplication is beneficial in matters that have already been decreed and in matters that have not yet been decreed

Because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Caution does not avail against destiny, but supplication is beneficial in matters that have already been decreed and in matters that have not yet been decreed.

Indeed, calamity befalls, and supplication meets it, and they both struggle until the Day of Resurrection.” Therefore, supplication is one of the most powerful methods a Muslim can use to ward off calamity and misfortune from himself and bring about benefit.

It is the Muslim’s weapon with which he wards off calamities. A person may supplicate with a powerful supplication that overcomes the affliction, or with a weak supplication that does not overcome the affliction, but rather alleviates it. He may supplicate with a supplication that repels and treats the affliction.

Knowing that frequent supplication is one of the things the Prophet

(peace and blessings be upon him) instructed his Companions to do, as he said: “There is no Muslim who supplicates with a supplication that does not involve sin or severing family ties, except that He will give him one of three things:

Either He will hasten his supplication, or He will store it up for him in the Hereafter, or He will avert from him an equivalent amount of evil.” They said: “Then we will supplicate frequently.” He said: “Allah is more abundant.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught his Companions the Istikhara prayer, in which the servant supplicates to his Lord to make good things happen for him.

If what he wants in the future is good for him, Allah Almighty will make it easy for him, and if it is bad, He will turn it away from him.

He also made clear to them that nothing can avert fate except supplication. He said: “Nothing averts fate except supplication, and nothing increases lifespan except righteousness.”

The Ruling on Dua in Islam

When it comes to The Importance of Dua in Islam, It is recommended for Muslims to frequently supplicate, as it is, in and of itself, an act of worship through which they feel the pleasure of connection, attachment, and closeness to Allah Almighty.

Dua in Islam is the servant’s turning to his Lord to request what he needs. It is recommended at all times, as Allah Almighty has not set a specific time or limit for it.

It is divided into: supplication of praise and supplication of request. Supplication of praise is supplicating to Allah Almighty by His names and attributes to achieve what the supplicant loves or ward off what he hates.

Supplication of request is seeking benefits from Allah Almighty and seeking to ward off harm from the supplicant. Both types are considered acts of worship.

Etiquette of Dua in Islam

Since Dua in Islam is a form of worship, it naturally follows a set of etiquettes and conditions that must be followed. We will discuss these in detail below:

Conclusion

Dua in Islam is the only means to achieve our goals in life. It is a means to strengthen faith and draw closer to Allah. Much more than that, it will help Allah make your life easier and grant you forgiveness and mercy.

Muslim scholars have also spoken extensively about the Importance of Dua in Islam, emphasizing its importance and merit in the Islamic religion. Imam al-Shafi’i said, “People supplicate to Allah Almighty because they know that salvation lies in His hand alone, and that they have no other refuge.”

Imam al-Ghazali, may Allah have mercy on him, also said, “Supplication is the foundation and greatest of acts of worship. It is the closest deed to Allah Almighty and the most quickly answered.”