DU‘Ā, THE ESSENCE OF WORSHIP Episode 1️⃣: Introduction

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*DU‘Ā, THE ESSENCE OF WORSHIP*

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*Episode 1️⃣: Introduction*

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The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

_*"Supplication is the essence of worship.”*_

(Tirmidhī 3371)

Du'a refers to seeking benefit, be it spiritual or worldly benefit. It is a prayer of invocation, supplication or request, even asking help or assistance from Allaah.

Allaah loves to be asked, and He encourages that in all things. In fact, He is angry with the one who does not ask of Him.

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*Excellence of du‘ā*

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The Prophet (ﷺ)  said:

_*"Nothing is more honourable to Allaah the Most High than du`a."*_

[Sahih al-Jami` no.5268]

_*"The most incapable person is the one who does not make du`a..."*_

[Sahih Al-Jami` no. 1055]

_*"If one does not ask Allaah, He will get angry with him."*_

[Sahih al-Jami` no.2414]

This is because he is either in despair of the Mercy of Allaah or is too arrogant to ask Him. And both matters cause the anger of Allaah.

The Prophet (ﷺ)  said: _*“Du’a is worship.”*_ Then he recited the verse:

"*وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ٱدْعُونِىٓ أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ..*"

“*And your Lord said: “Invoke Me [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation)...*"[Ghafir 40:60]

(Classed as sahih by al-Albani in Sahih al-Tirmidhi, 2590))

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One of the beauties of du‘ā is that there is no need for a middle man, just you and your Lord.

Allaah (ﷻ) said:

"*وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ*"

“*And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor)...*"

[al-Baqarah 2:186]

There is no limit to what a slave can ask of Allaah because no desire is too much for Allaah to grant it.

The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said, ‘When one of you calls upon Allaah, let him hope for the greatest of things. Verily, nothing has any greatness over Allaah’.

[Ibn Hibban]

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*Pre-conditions for making du‘ā*

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These are the acts that must occur before a person makes du‘ā.

1️⃣*TAWHEED*

First and foremost, the heart of the one making du‘ā should be filled with Tawhid. It is essential that the person asking his Lord is obeying Him and not disobeying Him. He must acknowledge that only Allaah is capable of responding to his du‘ā.

2️⃣ *Purity of one's sustenance.*  

The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ)  said: _*"O people, Allaah is Good and does not accept anything but that which is good..."*_

_*Then he mentioned a man who travels for a long distance and is disheveled and dusty, and he stretches forth his hands towards heaven saying, ‘O Lord, O Lord,’ but his food is haram, his drink is haram, his clothing is haram, his drink is haram, his clothing is haram, he has been nourished with haram, so how can he be responded to?*_

(Muslim (1015)

3️⃣ *Good intentions*

It is imperative that anyone who makes du‘ā intends for the outcome of the du‘ā to be good.

4️⃣ *Patience*

The Prophet (ﷺ)  said: _*“The slave will receive a response so long as his du‘ā does not involve sin or severing of family ties, and so long as he is not hasty.” It was said, “What does being hasty mean?” He said: “When he says, ‘I made du‘ā and I made du‘ā, and I have not seen any response,’ and he gets frustrated and stops making du‘ā.”*_

(Al-Bukhari, 6340)

5⃣ *Present/attentive heart*

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: _*“Call upon Allaah when you are certain of a response, and remember that Allaah will not answer a du’aa’ that comes from a negligent and heedless heart.”*_

(Al-Tirmidhi)

O Allaah, help us remember You, to be grateful to You, and to worship You in an excellent manner. Aameen

_To be continued, In'Sha'Allaah_

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