Secret Whispers – Du’a

Alhamdulillahi Wahdahu Wassalatu Wassalam ‘Ala Man Laa Nabiyya Ba’dah.

As we traverse rapidly through the days and nights of Ramadan – we often find that during the middle stage of this glorious month we suffer burnout. Our enthusiasm that we once had wavers and we are no longer energetic in our ‘ibadaat (May Allah have mercy upon us). Consequently, our communication with our lord becomes halfhearted. The month of Ramadan is an amazing opportunity for us to gain closeness and proximity with Allah and thus, it is incumbent that during periods of stagnation we take the necessary steps to bring ourselves upon the right route again – that is the route towards Allahs pleasure.

I hope this article will allow us to become enthusiastic about making du’a to Allah so, that we genuinely are excited when we raise our hands to him.

Allah mentions in the Qur’an:

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖفَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ

“And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.” (Surat Al-Baqarah Verse 186)

Allah is hastening us to call unto him and thus, emphasising to us that he hears our calls and not only, that but, he responds to us aswell. My dear brother and sister, is it not shameful upon us when we count the favours of our lord upon us (and never will we be able to truly enumerate the blessings Allah has conferred upon us) that we do not respond back to Allah by showing gratefulness and increasing our worship? Granted, we will never be able to repay him for all the favours he has bestowed upon us for indeed, he is Al-Ghani (Free of all need) but, we ought to try and do the best we can. And what a better way than to make du’a – to communicate our needs to the one who is free of all needs – to communicate to the one that holds the key towards all that which lays within the heavens and earth. Allah loves it when we ask – no matter how small or big – for Allah’s generosity knows no bounds.

Allah is Al-Mujeeb – the one who ‘responds’. Imam Ahmad and Al-Bukhari in ‘Adab Al-Mufrad’ narrate that Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri RA reports that the prophet SAW:

“There is no Muslim that supplicates with words containing in it no sin nor, the cutting of ties of kinship except, Allah will grant this person one of 3 things:

a) Either Allah will hasten to grant this person what he has supplicated for
b) Or Allah will reserve it for him in the hereafter
c) Or he will deflect harm/evil away from him that will be equivalent to what he has asked for

The Sahabah then responded “Thus, we should ask him abundantly”. The prophet responded “Allah is greater (i.e. has more than enough resources)”.

Ponder upon the enthusiasm of the Sahabah – how delighted were they in hearing this hadeeth? They had conviction that in Allah’s hands lies control of everything. Whatever he wills, in whatever era he wills it to happen; it shall occur in a manner that he intends. His Will shall take effect without any changes – no additions nor, any subtractions. Nor, shall his Will be delayed nor brought forth. His judgement/verdict is penetrative throughout the heavens and all its regions, it penetrates through the earth and that which is over it and that which is under it. It penetrates through the seas and the atmosphere between the heavens and earth. It penetrates through every place in the world. To him belongs all of creation and commandment. To him belongs the dominion and all praise. To him belongs the Dunya and the Aakhirah.

يَسْأَلُهُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ هُوَ فِي شَأْنٍ

“Whosoever is in the heavens and on earth begs of Him (its needs from Him). Every day He has a matter to bring forth (such as giving honour to some, disgrace to some, life to some, death to some, etc.)!” (Surat Al-Rahman Verse 29)

Let us now ponder upon the statements of the righteous before us re. Dua:

‘Umar Bin Al-Khattab RA: “I do not concern myself about the response (to a du’a) but, i concern myself with making Du’a. So, if i make effort in Du’a then no doubt, the response corresponds with it”

‘Umar Bin Al-Khattab RA: “Upon being scrupulous about that which Allah has proscribed does Allah accept Du’a and tasbeeh”

‘Abdullah Bin Mas’ood: “Indeed, Allah does not accept Du’a except from one who is sincere. He does not accept it from the conceited, nor the deceitful one, nor one who is not serious nor the one who is heedless. He only accepts from the one with a firm heart”

Abu Al-Darda: “Supplicate to Allah in the days of your ease/happiness. Perhaps, he will answer you in the days of your hardship/harm”

Abu Al-Darda: “Persist in making du’a! For indeed, the one who persists in knocking on a door – it is only a matter of time before it gets opened for hm”

Abu Dharr: “Dutifulness suffices Du’a just like how salt suffices food” *i.e. they go hand-in hand*

Abu Bakr Ash-Shibly says regarding the statement of Allah “Call upon me and I will respond to you (40:60)”.This means call upon me without any ghaflah (heedlessness) and I shall respond to you without any Mahlah (delay)”

Yahya Bin Mu’adh Ar-Razi: “My lord, i ask (call upon) you in a state of humility so, grant me favourably”

Abu Bakr Bin ‘Abdillah Al-Muzani visited an ill person who asked him “Pray to Allah for me”. He responded “Call upon him yourself, for he responds to the call of the distressed”

Yahya Bin Mu’adh Ar-Razi:“The response is not delayed if you supplicate (to Allah) even if the pathway is blocked by sins”

Al-Hasan said regarding the statement of Allah “Call upon me and I will respond to you (40:60)” – “Make (Du’a) and rejoice – for indeed it is a right upon Allah that he responds to those who believe, work righteous deeds and he increases them in his bounty”

Muhammad Bin Hamid asked Abu Bakr Al-Warraq “Teach me a thing that will make me closer to Allah and also, to the people”. He responded “As for gaining closeness to Allah – upon you is to ask him. As for gaining closeness to the people – then abandon asking them”

Al-Awzaa’i: “The most potent form of Du’a is one where a person insists upon Allah”

May Allah accept our deeds – our standing and fasting and may he make us amongst those who call upon him in a beautiful way.

Our lord, accept from us – Indeed you are the All-hearing, All-knowing.