“When My servants ask you (the Prophet) about Me; I am
near. I answer the call of the one who calls upon Me when he calls upon Me.” (Al-Baqara 2: 187)
This verse shows Allah’s closeness to the one who seeks Him and His help in all circumstances of life. Allah loves when His servants invoke Him and ask Him for all that they need. Here, in this verse, He answers His believing servants directly. Thus, Allah loves when His believing servants invoke Him alone, seek His help, and especially when they thank Him. Allah loves those who are grateful. Therefore, the Duahs (invocations) of a person must be sincere, and these Duahs must be invoked with certainty (Yaqeen) and trust (Tawwakul) in Allah that He will answer their invocations.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Duah
(Invocation) is the essence of worship” (Tirmidhi). Duahs can be recited
individually or collectively, and also either silently or aloud. When I say
aloud, I do not mean in a voice so loud that it disturbs others, but in a
moderate voice. In a Hadith Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “You must be moderate
in your invocations; for you are not calling upon One who is deaf or absent,
but One Who is near and Who hears.” (Bukhari)
This shows that recitation aloud
must be done with respect, not with excess, but with sincerity and moderation. There
are benefits in reciting Duahs aloud (especially in congregation, among
Jamaat), because it is a means for people to learn Duahs, it strengthens their
bond of brotherhood, and it attracts divine blessing.
For example, before eating, we must
say: Bismillah, or Bismillah wa ala Barakatillah. And if someone
forgets to say ‘Bismillah’ at the beginning, before starting his meal,
when he remembers his omission, he must say: Bismillah awwalahu wa aakhirahu
(In the name of Allah, at the beginning and at the end). Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh)
explained that as long as a person forget to say “Bismillah”, Shaytan eats
with him, but the moment he remembers Allah and says “at the beginning and
at the end”, Shaytan vomits all the food he had consumed (Abu Dawud,
An-Nasaï). This shows the importance of saying “Bismillah” audibly in
gatherings, as it serves as a reminder and even a form of Dawa.
Another example: Allah and His Messenger (pbuh) taught us to respond
to Salaam with an equal or better Salaam. If a Muslim says Salaam aloud to his
brother or sister, it is imperative that the other responds audibly, so that
the greeting is heard. Salaam is meant to be spread openly, not secretly, as a
blessing of Allah among Muslims, increasing friendship and Islamic brotherhood.
Similarly, if someone sneezes and says “Alhamdulillah” aloud, it becomes
obligatory for another Muslim who hears him to respond: “Yarhamuk Allah”
(May Allah have mercy on you).
In public Islamic life, believers
are encouraged to recite their invocations in a moderate voice, especially when
invoking Allah and praising Him. Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra) reported that Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Allah has groups of angels who search for gatherings
where Allah is remembered; when they find a circle where Allah is remembered, they
surround it with their wings until the space between earth and heaven is
filled.” (Muslim)
This Hadith proves the value of
collective Duahs and Zikr, showing how angels descend to surround Muslims
engaged in remembrance of Allah. Reciting Duahs aloud in Islamic gatherings has
many benefits: it helps those who do not know Duahs to learn them, it
strengthens inner conviction, and it reminds us that Islam is a living
testimony, not a hidden practice. The Prophet (pbuh) taught his companions to
recite Duahs together, glorify Allah in the mosque, during travel, and even in
battle. In Ramadan, especially in its last ten nights, collective recitation of
Duahs has special value, as Allah’s mercy is open without limit. It is
recommended that an Imam recites Duahs and the congregation responds “Ameen”.
This practice reassures unity among believers.
Allah says in the Qur’an: “Call upon Me; I will answer you.” (Al-Mumin
40: 61). Allah emphasises this: call upon Him alone. He suffices for us. He can
change situations, destinies, forgive, and remove difficulties. But the person
must be sincere, having no doubt in him/ her (them) that Allah will answer his/
her (their) call. Faith, discipline, and respect for others are integral to
Islam. A Muslim engaged in Zikr and Duah must embody these qualities. The Holy Prophet
(pbuh) said: “The best among you is the one with the best character”
(Tirmidhi). To deserve the blessing of a thousand months, a believer must
purify his character.
Thus, whether young or old, all
must observe the etiquettes of Duahs and Zikr. They must be recited with
humility, not arrogance. Avoid shouting without reason or disturbing others.
Collective recitation must be balanced. Duah is a dialogue with Allah, and must
be recited with sincerity, humility, and respect. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said:
“The one who remembers Allah and the one who does not are like the living
and the dead.” (Bukhari)
This shows that Duah and Zikr keep
the heart alive. Alone, one may recite softly, but in Jamaat, one must keep a
moderate voice and follow the Imam. Blessed are those in this age of Divine
Manifestation who have received a Messenger of Allah among them. Benefit from
the guidance sent through the Ruh’il Quddus, and do not exceed limits.
Aim for the middle path, performing worship correctly and moderately, without
disturbing anyone. Verily, collective Zikr and Duahs under divine guidance are
far superior to normal Duahs. This is Laylatul Qadr for you in this age.
Know its true value, remain on the straight path, and follow the guidance
revealed through Divine Revelation. By Allah’s grace, through His Revelation,
He is showing true spiritual life in the Muslim community through the descent
of His Messenger, this humble servant who has come among you in this age.
Therefore, prepare your soul for
true Islam, true submission. What is coming ahead will be difficult, but faith (Iman),
prayer (Salat), invocations (Duahs), and remembrance of Allah (Zikrullah)
will save Muslims from the traps of Shaytan. Victory will come when Muslims
unite, and with one voice call upon Allah for His help.
We must make our lives a Battle of
Badr, not of Uhud. Obedience to Allah and to His humble Messenger of this age
is essential. Without spiritual and physical discipline, Muslims will continue
to suffer, because they hold different ideas of the Mahdi and Messiah. But the
Mahdi and Messiah is not the bloody saviour they expect. Islam means Peace and
Submission to Allah. Weapons are used only when the security of the Ummah is
threatened. But let me tell you: the best weapon is Duah.
When your soul is filled with Allah, He will manifest Himself in ways you do
not expect, to establish justice on earth. Shaytan’s reign is temporary; it
cannot last long. Its time is counted, for Allah has decreed: “I will
certainly prevail, I and My Messengers.” (Al-Mujadila 58: 22) –
Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of 13 March 2026~ 23 Ramadan 1447 AH delivered by Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.