Supplicating (to Allah) * Making 'Duah'
Duah or
supplicating is to petition Allah (twt) for one’s needs and requirements, be
such needs mundane or spiritual - be they in regard to one’s worldly affairs or
Deeni affairs - whether such affairs and needs are within one’s ability
of acquisition or not. In all cases, the Muslim has to supplicate to Allah (twt)
for the fulfillment of his needs.
Duah for
unlawful desires and needs is not permissible. While making duahs, all the lawful means and agencies
for the requirement should be harnessed, e.g. the farmer while making duah for his farm to yield should at the
same time engage in the means and ways of farming; the one making duah for protection against an enemy
should at the same time engage in the ways and means of warding off the enemy;
the sick while making duah for
recovery should resort to medicine and treatment as well; one involved in
litigation should while making duah
for success in his court-case, engage the proper means of achieving the success
as well; one engaged in the acquisition of Qur’ani and Deeni
knowledge should make duah for Barakat
[blessings] and success while at the same time study properly and acquire
whatever ways are essential for the correct acquisition of knowledge; one
involved in Ibaadat [worship of Allah] should strive against the lowly
desires and the diversions of Satan and the Nafs [ego/ passion] while at
the same time make duah [supplications]
for aid from Allah (twt) for sincerity and steadfastness in his acts of worship.
In affairs in which
physical and material means and agencies have no role to play; one should in
entirety resort to only duah, e.g.
rainfall [protection against rainfall in case of too much rainfall causing
floods etc. & prayers for rainfall in case of drought], protection against
plagues, the Satan and the deception of the Nafs, protection from the
oppression of cruel persons, etc.
Duah does
not mean the mere recitation of some words and the ritual reiteration of words
after Salat. The nature of duah
consists of petitioning in the court of Allah (twt). The earnestness and
concern which people have when making appeals in the courts of the world should
at least be adopted when making duah
in the court of Allah (twt). When making duah,
one’s mind and body have to be concentrated and directed into the purpose of duah. One should never lose hope in the
event of fulfilment of the duah being
delayed or if fulfilment is not discerned. One has to submit to the Will of
Allah (twt). Duah is an appeal of His
servants. We have no right to become disillusioned and despondent if we cannot
discern acceptance of our duah.