Masnoon Duas

[Danny Hosford]

DuaArabic: دعاء) is a word that carries immense significance in Islam. Dua means prayer or supplication, request or pleading for assistance and forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Moreover, it can also be regarded as a form of worship and Dhikr (remembrance of Allah). Duas or prayers are an important aspect of a believer's life. It serves as a conversation a Muslim can have with their creator and ask for His mercy, forgiveness, and blessings. Since Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the only one who can grant a believer what he wishes, turning to Him in time of need affirms a Muslim's belief in the oneness and supremacy of his Lord.

Muslim spirituality places great importance on the concept of prayer. Early Muslims and the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) made sure to record the prayers and supplications of the Prophet (ﷺ) himself and his family so that they could be passed down to the Muslim Ummah. These supplications were recorded, memorized, and even taught among Muslims.

It is essential for a person to believe in the oneness of Allah and to believe that He is the creator of the universe and that all Ibadah is reserved for Him alone. Moreover, it is also essential to believe in the finality of Risalat e Muhammad (ﷺ), i.e., that Muhammad (ﷺ) is Allah's last Prophet.

Islamic history also teaches the believers to supplicate to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) with sincerity rather than deeming the act of prayer as a formalized ritual or duty. The dua a believer makes must be sincere and heartfelt, and the believer must also remain patient when he has requested his Lord for something (through a prayer). Concentrate fully on your connection with Allah, and remember He is the only one who can grant you your dua.

Islam places great emphasis on purity and cleanliness; therefore, it is preferable that Muslims make wudu before offering dua. Moreover, facing the Qibla while making dua is another masnoon act that pleases Allah and increases the likelihood of your dua being accepted by the Almighty.

Start your Dua by praising Allah, thank Him for all the blessings He has bestowed upon you, and seek forgiveness for your sins. Next, send durood or salat on Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). It is masnoon to recite durood before and after the subject of the dua.

Narrated Fudalah ibn Ubayd, The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), heard a person supplicating during prayer. He did not mention the greatness of Allah, nor did he invoke blessings on the Prophet (ﷺ). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: He made haste. He then called him and said either to him or to any other person: If any of you prays, he should mention the exaltation of his Lord in the beginning and praise Him; he should then invoke blessings on the Prophet (ﷺ); thereafter he should supplicate Allah for anything he wishes. Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani), Sunan Abi Dawud 1481

When making dua, Muslims must join their hands and raise them both such that the palms of their hands are facing toward the heavens. This gesture shows humility and is a sign that we are asking Allah for His mercy and favor.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The supplication of one of you is granted if he does not grow impatient and say- I supplicated my Lord, but it was not granted. - Sahih Muslim 2735 b

Muslims should make dua frequently. One should ask Allah to bestow their favor and blessings upon them and even ask for specific hajaat repeatedly. There is no limit to making dua; in fact, it pleases Allah to see His abd, His servant, beseeching Him again and again. Secondly, be resolute in your prayer and ask what you want in clear and firm words.

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "None of you should say: 'O Allah, forgive me if You wish; O Allah, be merciful to me if You wish,' but he should always appeal to Allah with determination, for nobody can force Allah to do something against His Will." - Sahih al-Bukhari 6339

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