The Power of Dua
Sheikh Usama Al-Attar
وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ
And your Lord said: “Invoke Me, I will respond to your [invocation]. Indeed those who scorn My worship, they will surely enter Hell in humiliation.
[Surah Ghafir 40; Verse 60]
Brothers and Sisters, Dua is an extremely powerful tool. Imam Ali (as) says:
“Dua is the weapon of the believer.”
Many of us will undoubtedly face difficulties in life, which is part of our test in this world. To help us throughout these difficult tribulations, Allah (swt) has gifted us with the Ahlulbayt (as) who have honoured us with innumerable duas to help us cope with and overcome these difficulties. Therefore, we should use these duas regularly.
The benefit of duas is that they instil a sense of serenity and hope within us. Many people subject themselves to self-harm when they have lost all hope. With duas, it reinforces a sense of hope in Allah (swt). This is why Imam Ali (as) begins dua Kumayl by saying:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْألُكَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ الَّتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْء
‘O Allah, I ask You by Your mercy, which embraces all things’
Allah’s (swt) mercy is infinite and therefore, one of the major sins is to lose hope in the mercy of Allah (swt).
Duas also allow us to comprehend the greatness of Allah (swt) and the Ahlulbayt (as).
Imam Jaafar Al-Sadiq (as) has given us a few recommendations when invoking Allah (swt):
Perform wudu(ablution)
Face the qibla
Begin your dua by; “Bismillah, ar-Rahman, ar–Rahim”
Praise Allah (swt) for the bounties he has already provided you with
Seek repentance for your sins, because sometimes our sins may hold back the acceptance of our duas. That is why in Dua Kumayl we say:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي تَحْبِسُ الدُّعَاءَ
‘O Allah forgive me those sins which hold back supplication!’
Recite Salawat on Muhammad (saws) and his family
Then, make dua for your own needs
Imam Ali (as) in Nahjul Balagha advises us to recite salawat before our own duas because salawat is a dua in itself and is most certainly accepted by Allah (swt) at all times. And Allah (swt) is too generous to accept one dua and not the other.
Some people may feel as though their duas are still not being answered despite following these recommendations, and therefore, they may give up. Imam Ali (as) advises us to continuously ask Allah (swt) and never give up. Allah (swt) himself, out of his divine wisdom, dictates when our duas will be accepted.
Additionally, when people make dua, they may only focus on a portion of the greater picture and think that what they ask for is truly the most beneficial outcome for them. In reality, it is Allah (swt) who is well aware of what is best for us.
{The Sheikh shares a truly inspiring story between [12:40–17:40]}
One of the most important aspects which facilitates the acceptance of our duas are our ahklaq(manners). Therefore, we shouldn’t backbite or slander after we have made dua. Our duas should be recited with utmost sincerity. We should invoke Allah (swt) with a soft heart and let the tears flow from our eyes.
Within our duas it is recommended to recite ‘Ya Rabbi(O my Lord)’ 3-5 times. It is also recommended to recite salawat as much as possible at all times throughout the day, as it facilitates the acceptance of our duas.