As Muslims, we all know the importance of making supplication (du'a) to Allah. It is a means of expressing our gratitude, seeking His forgiveness, and asking for His blessings, help, and mercy. However, have you ever wondered why some of our du'as get answered while others don't? Have you ever felt frustrated or disappointed when your du'a didn't seem to get a response from Allah?
The answer lies in the way we make our du'as. There is a hadith (Sunan Ibn Majah 3857) that tells us about the power of using Allah's most exalted names and attributes in our supplication. It is narrated from Abdullah bin Buraidah that his father said:
"The Prophet (peace be upon him) heard a man say: 'Allahumma! Inni as'aluka bi-annaka Antallahul Ahad, assamad, alladhi lam yalid wa lam yuwlud, wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad (O Allah! I ask You by virtue of Your being Allah, the One, the Self-Sufficient Master, Who begets not nor was begotten, and there is none co-equal or comparable to Him).' The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'He has asked Allah by His Greatest Name, which if He is asked thereby He gives, and if He is called upon thereby He answers."
This hadith tells us that there is a Greatest Name of Allah, which is known only to Him, and using this name in our supplication is a means of receiving His blessings and mercy. It is said that whoever calls upon Allah by His Greatest Name, Allah will answer their supplication.
So, how can we use this knowledge to improve the quality and effectiveness of our du'as? Here are some tips to help you call upon Allah in a way that will increase the likelihood of your supplication being answered:
Learn Allah's most exalted names and attributes
Allah has many names and attributes, each of which reflects a different aspect of His mercy, power, and greatness.
- Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful): This name can be used when seeking Allah's mercy and forgiveness, especially when we have committed a sin or mistake.
- Al-Qadir (The All-Powerful): This name can be used when seeking Allah's help and support in a difficult situation, or when we are facing a challenge that seems insurmountable.
- Al-Hakim (The All-Wise): This name can be used when seeking guidance and wisdom from Allah, especially when we are facing a decision or dilemma that requires careful consideration.
- Al-Mu'min (The Guardian of Faith): This name can be used when seeking protection from harm and evil, especially when we feel vulnerable or threatened.
- Al-Ghani (The Self-Sufficient): This name can be used when seeking Allah's blessings and provision, especially when we are facing financial difficulties or struggling to make ends meet.
- Al-Mujib (The Responsive): This name can be used when seeking Allah's immediate response to our supplication, especially when we are in urgent need of His help.
By learning these names and attributes, we can use them in our supplication to call upon Allah in a way that is most appropriate for our needs.
Be sincere and humble
Allah knows what is in our hearts, and He responds to those who call upon Him with sincerity and humility. Make sure that your du'a is sincere and that you are truly seeking Allah's help and guidance.
We must recognize our own limitations and weaknesses and acknowledge our complete dependence on Allah. We should approach Allah with a sense of humility and awe, acknowledging His greatness and our own insignificance. When we make our supplication with a humble heart, we show Allah that we are truly seeking His help and guidance, and we open ourselves up to receive His blessings and mercy.
One way to cultivate sincerity and humility in our supplication is to make it a habit to reflect on our own shortcomings and seek forgiveness from Allah. By recognizing our own faults and asking Allah for His forgiveness, we develop a sense of humility and gratitude towards Him, which in turn, helps us to approach Him with sincerity and humility.
Be consistent
Sometimes, our du'as are not answered right away, but that doesn't mean that Allah is not listening. Keep repeating your supplication with patience and perseverance, and trust that Allah will answer in His own time.
Sometimes, He may delay His response to test our faith and patience. Therefore, it is essential to keep repeating our supplication with consistency, patience, and perseverance. Allah loves those who are persistent in their supplication and do not lose hope, and He may respond to our supplication at a later time, in a way that is best for us.
Use the appropriate manner
There are certain things that we should observe when making supplication, such as facing the qiblah, raising our hands, and saying "Bismillah." By observing these etiquettes, we show our respect and reverence for Allah and increase the likelihood of our supplication being answered.
With these tips, may Allah make it easy for us to call upon Him and grant us our supplications in the best way possible.
- MuslimSpace
