The Dua can change our life, our outlook, and our fate. It is the most potent weapon of a believer.
OnceProphet Muhammad (SAWS) passed by a people who were suffering from someaffliction. "Why don't they make Dua (pray ) to Allah for protection,"he said. With all the suffering and disasters Muslims are facing invarious parts of the world, the question can be directed to all of ustoday.
It is not that we have forgotten Dua completely; we referto it regularly. But, our ideas and practice regarding Dua have becomedistorted. Often it is reduced to the level of a ritual. Generally itis considered when all our efforts have failed -- an act of lastresort. It is belittled through actions and sometimes even with words.Is it any wonder that today mostly a mention of Dua is meant toindicate the hopelessness of a situation.
What a tragedy, forDua is the most potent weapon of a believer. It can change fate, whileno action of ours ever can. It is the essence of ibadah ( worship). With it we can never fail; without it we can never succeed. In the proper scheme of things, Dua should be the first and the last resort of the believer, with all his plans and actions coming in between.
Duais conversation with Allah (SWT), out Creator, our Lord and Master, theAll Knowing, the All Powerful. This act in itself is of extraordinarysignificance. It is the most uplifting, liberating, empowering, andtransforming conversation a person can ever have. We turn to Himbecause we know that He alone can lift our sufferings and solve ourproblems.
We feel relieved after describing our difficultiesto our Creator. We feel empowered after having communicated with theAll Mighty. We sense His mercy all around us after talking to the MostMerciful. We get a new commitment to follow His path for that is theonly path for success. We feel blessed with such commitment.
Inevery difficulty our first action is Dua, as is our last. We ask Allah(SWT) to show us the way to handle that difficulty; we seek His help infollowing the path He shows to us; we seek His aid in making ourefforts successful. When we fall sick, we know that we cannot find theright doctor without His Will; that the best doctor may not be able todiagnose our condition without His Command; that the best treatmentplan will not succeed without His Permission. We make Dua for all ofthese. We make Dua before we seek medical help, while we arereceiving it and after it has been delivered. The same is true of allother difficulties we may encounter.
Dua is the essence ofibadah. A person engaged in Dua affirms his belief in Tawheed(monotheism) and shuns belief in all false gods. With each Dua hisbelief in Allah (SWT) grows. He beseeches Him, affirming his ownpowerlessness. A person seriously and sincerely engaged in Duaunderstands exactly the relationship between himself and the Creatorand affirms it through his actions. That is the essence of worship!Additionally, such a person can never become arrogant or proud, alogical result of true worship.
Dua is our most potent weapon inall struggles of life as well as in jihad in the battlefield. Duringthe battle of Badr, the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) stood up all night inprayer seeking Allah's help in the battle between unequal armies thatwould follow the next day.
In the decisive battles against thecrusaders, Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi was busy day and night. His dayswere devoted to Jihad. His nights were spent making Dua, crying,seeking Allah's help.
We should make it a point to make Duafor all things big and small. It is the beginning of wisdom to realizethat big and small are arbitrary labels that are totally irrelevant inthis context. Nothing is too big for Whom we are asking from; nothingis too small for the one who is asking.
That is why we havebeen taught to ask Allah (SWT) when we need something as small asshoelaces. We should ask as a beggar, as a destitute person, for thatis what we in reality are in relationship to Allah (SWT).
Atthe same time we should ask with great hope and conviction that weshall be granted our prayers. We should remember the Hadith: "There isnothing more dear to Allah than a servant making Dua to Him." On the other hand, a prayer lacking concentration and conviction is no prayer at all.
Weshould make Dua at all times, not only during times of distress. TheProphet Muhammad (SAWS) said: "Whosoever desires that Allah answers hisDuas in unfavorable and difficult conditions, he should make plentifulDua in days of ease and comfort." Also he said: "The person who does not ask from Allah, Allah becomes angry with him."
Weshould ask for all of our needs: those related to this world as well asthose related to the Hereafter. Those who only concentrate on theformer are, in effect, announcing that they don't care for their lifein the permanent abode. They should blame no body but themselves forthe total ruin in that world that Qur'an assures us awaits them.
Thosewho only concentrate on the later are also showing lack of balance, forwe need Allah's help to lead a good life here as well.
Weshould make Dua not only for ourselves but also for our parents,brothers and sisters, spouses and children, relatives and friends,teachers and other benefactors, and destitute and struggling Muslimseverywhere. We should pray for them for the good in this world as wellas in the Hereafter.
The Prophet (Saws) said: "The Dua of aMuslim for his brother (in Islam) in his absence is readily accepted.An angel is appointed to his side. Whenever he makes a beneficial Duafor his brother the appointed angel says, 'Aameen. And may you also beblessed with the same.'" (Sahih Muslim)
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
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