Making duas or supplications is a very high and important form of worship for a believer. The Arabic word dua literally means to “call upon”. Basically dua is asking Allah (s.w.t) for help or for the fulfillment of a particular need. Making duas is a beautiful form of expressing your helplessness and dependency on Allah the All-Powerful and most Merciful. According to the hadiths dua is a form of worship and it is the essence of worship (Tirmizi). Also, dua is the only act of worship that provides us with the opportunity to communicate with Allah (s.w.t) in the manner we wish. Making duas can change our life, our outlook, and our fate. It is the most potent weapon of a believer. Here are some proofs from the Holy Quran and Hadiths on the importance of duas:
From the Holy Quran:
“Say: my Lord would not care for you were it not for your prayer” (Furqan, verse 77)
“And your Lord says: call upon Me, I will answer you; surely those are too proud for My service shall soon enter hell abased.”
“And call on Him fearing and hoping” (Araf, verse 56)
“And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he calls on Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way.” (Baqarah, verse 186)
From the Hadith:
Rasulullah (saws) Said, “Dua is Ibadah (worship).” (Tirmidhi, Nisai)
Rasulullah (saws) Said, “The one amongst you who has been granted the Taufeeq (ability) to make dua, then the doors of acceptance has been opened for him.” (Ibn-e-Abi Shaiba)
Rasulullah (saws) Said, “There is nothing superior in the eyes of Allah (SWT) then dua”. (Tirmidhi, Hakim)
Rasulullah (saws) Said, “Allah (SWT) gets angry on the person that doesn’t make dua.” (Ibn-e-Abi Shaiba)
Rasulullah (saws) Said, “The ones who wants his duas to accepted in the time of difficulty and hardship, should make frequent duas in the time of prosperity and peace.” (Tirmidhi)
Rasulullah (saws) Said, “Dua is the weapon of a Muslim, a pillar for the Deen (religion) and Noor (light) of the heavens and the Earth.” (Hakim)
Since making duas is such a beautiful form of worship then during the blessed month of Ramadan we should try to increase the quantity and quality of our duas. Here are some special duas for Ramadan:
When beginning the fast - Suhur
Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan
"I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan."
[Abu Dawud]
When breaking the fast - Iftar
Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu [wa 'alayka tawakkaltu] wa 'ala rizq-ika aftarthu
"O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You [and I put my trust in You] and I break my fast with Your sustenance"
["wa 'alayka tawakkaltu" is quoted in some books of knowledge - but not all, hence it is in brackets]
[Abu Dawud]
dhahabadh-dhama'u wab-tallatil 'urūūqi, wa thabatal arju inshaAllah
"The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is confirmed, if Allah [Ta'ala] Wills"
[Abu Dawud 2:306]
Allaahumma inni as'aluka birahmatika al-lati wasi'at kulli shay'in an taghfira li
"O Allah, I ask You by Your mercy which envelopes all things, that You forgive me."
[A du'a that Abdullah ibn Amar (radiAllahu anhu) used to say when breaking his fast -as reported by Ibn Abi Mulaykah (radiAllahu anhu)]
Recited at intervals of taraweeh prayers
Subhana dhil Mulki wal Malakuti, Subhana dhil izzati wal aDhmati wal haybati wal Qudrati, wal kibriyaa'i wal jabaroot Subhanal Malikil hayyil ladhi, la yunaamu wa la yamūtu, Subbuhun, Quddusun, Rabbul malaa'ikati war-rooh
La ilaha illal lahu, nustugfirullahi
nas 'alukul jannati, wa na udhubika min an-naar
"Glorified is the Owner of the Kingdom of the earth and the heavens; Glorified is the Possessor of Honour and Magnificence and Awe, and Power and Greatness and Omnipotence
Glorified is the Sovereign, the Living, Who does neither sleep nor die
O all Glorious, All Holy one, Our lord and the Lord of the Angels, And the soul.
There is no God but You, Forgive us, Grant us Paradise, and save us from (hell) fire."
Upon breaking the fast in someone's home
Aftara 'indakumus saa'imuna, wa akala ta'aamakumul-abraaru, wasallat 'alaikumul mala'ikat
"May those who are fasting break their fast in your home, and may the dutiful and pious eat your food and may the angels send prayers upon you."
[Abu Dawud 3:367, ibn Majah 1:556, an Nasa'i]
On Lailatul Qadr - the Night of Power
Aishah (radhiya Allahu Ta'ala anha), that she said: "O Messenger of Allah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?" He said 'Say
Allahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni' "
"O Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me."
[at Tirmidhi]
Sources:
