Ramadan_E

I feel like I don’t know what to ask . . .”
What’s the point of asking? I’ve sinned too much anyway . . .”
I kept asking, but nothing changed so I stopped asking . . .”

These are some things I’ve heard when people spoke about their image of making dua. The solution is very simple: knowledge.

The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: Dua is the essence (or the backbone) of worship. [Sunan Tirmidhi Hadith 3371]

Where do you stand in making dua?  Do you feel uninspired? Do you wonder if your dua will be accepted or are you of those for whom making dua is the sweetest thing in life?

Let’s take a fresh look into this extremely powerful weapon Allah ‘azza wajal gave you and learn how you can raise your standards to ask for a dream life!

 How are you going to maximize your dua’s in the blessed month of Ramadhan?

Allah, the answerer of supplications, gives us an example of an eye-watering dua in this week’s central ayah: Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], ‘Believe in your Lord,’ and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous. [Quran, 3:193]

Making dua is one of the greatest acts of worship!

This Ramadhan is your chance to get back strong and reshape your image of making dua (plural: ad’iyah) forever!  The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, In the court of Allah, there is no greater thing than duaa. [Ibn Majah] SubhanAllah, what a mercy!

So let’s get started and look at some tips for you and I to fully benefit from this super-beautiful gift of Allah to us, His slaves. First are a set of tips to inspire you with knowledge about dua. The second set of tips are practical to do’s to super-benefit from your dua-making in Ramadhan!

Tips to fully understand the power and wisdom of dua

Get motivated!
The Prophet said: Verily your Lord is Generous and Shy. If His servant raises his hands to Him (in supplication) He becomes shy to return them empty. [Ahmad, Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhi]

Don’t be hasty!
It was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what does it mean to be hasty?” The Prophet responded A worshipper says, ‘I have prayed and prayed , and I don’t yet see that it will be accepted; so he gives up hope of being answered, and leaves dua.” (Muslim)

Be positive and firm.
Be totally convinced Allah will accept your dua. The Prophet said: “Make dua to Allah in a state that you are certain that your dua will be responded to, and know that Allah does not respond to a dua that originates from a negligent, inattentive heart“( At-Tirmidhi, al-Hakim). And he said:, “When anyone of you does Dua then don’t say “Oh Allah! Forgive me if you want“, “Have mercy on me if you want“, “Give me subsistence if you wish” rather believe completely that He will do whatever He wishes. Nobody can force Him.” (Bukhari) Not thinking positively of Allah might cause your ad’iyah to be unanswered, Allay says: ‘I am as My slave thinks I am.’” [al-Bukhari, Muslim]

Know that you will get what is best for you.
Have you ever kept making dua, but it seemed that your dua was not answered? This is Allah’s way of giving you what is best for you. The Prophet said: “There is no Muslim who does not offer any dua in which there is no sin or severing of family ties but Allah will give him one of three things in return: either He will answer his dua sooner, or he will store it up for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an equivalent evil away from him because of it.” They said: “We will say a lot of dua.” The Prophet  said: “Allah is more generous.” (Ahmad) So even though you did not get a ‘quick’ reply, keep praying!
Dua do’s this Ramadhan!

Here is a selection of to do’s which I personally really needed to remind myself of – so here you go!

1. Pick 5 ultimate dua’s and use them all day, every day!

Take a moment one of these days to look into your heart and think what you really, really want this year.
– Pick a selection of 5 (or a bit more) main dua’s and make them every day in Ramadhan when you break your fast.
– Then also pick minimum one other time(s) you will stick every day to making these dua’s, like in sujood, at the end of your salah, throughout the day of fasting, immediately after wudu.
– Per dua select a Name(s) of Allah which relates to you dua and use it while you ask!

2. Make a dua list.
These coming days, make a dua list and write down as many things as you can think of, big or small, long-term or short, dunya or akhirah. Even share thoughts with your family which is a beautiful, intimate experience. Start reading your list each day so you get familiar with the dua’s and you never get a moment in taraweeh prayers you don’t know what to ask!

3. Don’t keep making the same old dua you think you have to make.
Sometimes we make dua’s because we know we ‘have to make them’, like the asking for Jannah and protection from the Fire. These are essential dua but also ask for things which are very personal to the person you are, your dua can be for the simplest thing, this way you stay connected to your dua’s. Nobody has to know what you ask for except Allah.

4. Also set short-term dua goals.
Set dua goals for this year or even for six months ahead and you will see how quick Allah ‘azza wajal will answer them so you can set new goals!

5. Visualize your dua’s
Go to google, type in some key words related to your dua, find and image and print it off so you can keep looking at it. This will greatly help you visualize your goals and make your dua’s (and your longing) much stronger! (This is one of the tips Muhammad al-Shareef revealed introducing a retreat focused on dua– www.visionaireonline.com)

6. Look after the physical parts of dua.
If you want the best then also study the physical actions that make your dua accepted more. Like making wudu before you make dua, face the qibla and raising your hands.
(For great tips on the external etiquettes of dua you can read this article by Yasir Qadhi: http://muslimmatters.org/2012/07/20/ramadan-reminder-yasir-qadhi-surah-ghaafir-external-etiquettes-of/)

7. Make dua for the Prophet!
The first thing rolling from your lips when you start a dua should be the praise for Allah (using His Names is highly recommended!). Many forget this and dive straight into their wishes. There’s another thing a lot of us forget! The Prophet said: “When any one of you has finished praying (and makes Dua), let him start by praising Allah, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon Him), then after that let him ask for whatever he wants.” (At-Tirmidhi)

8. If you want something, make dua for others!
The Prophet said: “The supplication of a Muslim for his brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Everytime he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this particular task says: `Ameen! May it be for you, too’.” [Muslim].

Dear brothers and sisters, I ask you to please make dua’ for me and my family this Ramadhan and I pray we will all be reunited in the Highest Jannah without reckoning!  The Weekly Jumuah Specials will be back after Ramadhan insha’Allah, Ramadhan kareem!
Praying you will benefit,

Khawlah bint Yahya ~ United Kingdom

THE AYAH JOURNAL, Qur’an & Productivity is a global project with the exciting goal to inspire every Muslim worldwide to open the Qur’an every day, pick one ayah, and apply it to your own life by making acting on the ayah your mission for the day. Let’s bring back the message of the Qur’an to our daily lives! Check www.ayahjournal.com and follow us on www.facebook.com/ayahjournal for vibrant Qur’an and productivity tips.

Connect Us on WhatsApp
//
Understand Al-Quran Academy
Customer Support -1
//
Understand Al-Quran Academy
Customer Support - 2
How can we help?