DU’A
Allah Ta’ala talks about fasting and Ramadan in Surah al-Baqarah. In the middle of this discussion, Allah Ta’ala mentions a very interesting verse:
If my servant asks you (O’ Muhammmad) about Me, then I (say) I am indeed near. I answer those who call whenever they call me. (Surah al-Baqarah 2:186)
The scholars explain that the significance of adding this verse in the middle of the discussion of Ramadan is to signify how Ramadan is the month of calling Allah Ta’ala and making Du’ato Him as much as possible. It’s the best time to ask for what we want.
From the verse, we learn that Allah Ta’ala does hear us whenever we call Him and He does indeed respond. Though we don’t see the response, He definitely does answer and grant us something, though it may not be what we asked for, but what’s best for us. He knows what would benefit us more: whether we get what we asked for, or whether He gives us something else which is better for us.
Therefore, our job is to keep asking throughout Ramadan for any needs we have, without expecting that we will get exactly what we ask for, but with the hope that we will surely get the best for asking.
When making Du’a, there are specific times we should choose to ask and etiquettes we should follow.
As for the times that are best to ask:
•After the Fard Salahs
•After acts of worship
•At Suhur time
•After praying Tahajjud especially
•Just before breaking your fast
•Whenever you feel the difficulty of fasting
•Whenever you experience a difficulty or need something
•Between the Adhan and Iqamah of every Salah
•In the Sajdah of Sunnah and Nafl Salahs (though the Du’as should be said using the Sunnah Du’as or verses of the Noble Qur’an)
As for the etiquettes of making Du’as:
•Be in the state of Wudu
•Do an act of worship first, such as NaflSalah, recitation of the Noble Qur’an, sending Salawat upon the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, doing Dhikr of any kind, giving some money into charity etc.
•Sit in the Tashahhud position ideally and facing the Qiblah
•Raise your hands so that the palms are facing towards you and slightly upwards.Keep your hands in line with your chest and with a slight gap between your hands with your fingers in a natural position
•Begin by praising Allah Ta’ala first with whichever phrases you know, even if it’s Surah al-Fatihah!
•Follow this with Salawat upon His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم using whichever phrases you prefer
•Ask for forgiveness using verses of the Noble Qur’an or other phrases from the Hadiths
•And now ask for your needs. As mentioned earlier, ask for yourself, your family, your education, your career, anything you need help with, pray for heaven, for salvation from hell, pray for those who are sick and those who have gone, pray for your teachers, and pray for AllahTa’ala to accept your fast and Ramadan, and to allow you to continue your change beyond Ramadan.
•When you finish, send Salawat upon the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم again and end with the following:
•And then pass your hands over your face.
•Duas are also more readily accepted if you shed some tears, even if you have to pretend to cry. Allah Ta’ala is Merciful and even shows mercy to someone who pretends to cry.
Another effective way to making Du’a is reading collections of Sunnah Duas that have been gathered for daily reading. By reading these collections, you’ll not only be asking for essential things that Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم regularly asked for, but you won’t have to memorise or remember anything for specific times—all you have to do is open the book and read!
There are many famous collections, from which two popular ones are:
•Al-Hizbu‘l-A’zam–A lengthy collection of Sunnah Duas divided into seven sections to be recited over seven days
•Munajat Maqbul–An abridgement of the above collection of Duas, still divided into seven sections for reading over seven days
You’ll also find smaller collections of Duas that can be read every morning and evening. These are mainly for asking for protection and ease throughout your day. For recommendations, ask your local Imam or scholar.
BY HUDA PRESS
Comments
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.