Everything can go in vain but NOT Dua

عَنِ النُّعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ, قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَليْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : الدُّعَاءُ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ , ثُمَّ قَرَأَ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ : { عَنِ النُّعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ ي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ , إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ [غافر]} سنن الترمذي

Nu’man ibn Bashir رضي الله عنه narrated the Prophet ﷺ said (meaning): Dua [Supplication to Allah ] is worship. Then he ﷺ read the verse: Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation! [Surah Mu’min (or Surah Ghafir: 60)]. Tirmidhi

From the above Hadith, it is clear that Dua (supplication) itself is Ibadat (worship). Another Hadith states that Dua is the essence or core of Ibadat.

It is important to do Dua to Allah Almighty in all situations. Let the servant do dua in danger, difficulty, hardship, illness or any adversity — it is beneficial. In favourable conditions, when there are no such issues, it is still necessary to make Dua, and it is Sunnah to make Dua in all situations. If someone thinks that I don’t have any special needs, I don’t have any big problems, I don’t have any illness, I don’t have any debt, I don’t have any need for money, why should I supplicate? What could be more stupid and unfortunate than such a thought?!

Each of us is in need of Allah’s assistance at every moment and it is in all spheres of life — in countless ways. His gifts to us have never ended! Rather, it is only increasing. He has provided sustenance to us before our arrival on this earth. Till this very day, we are only enjoying the blessings of Allah Almighty, even though we are immersed in thousands of sins! No believer can deny this fact. So what amount of tribute and gratitude is required? Being well now or being on the right path now does not mean that I will be well tomorrow or I will be able to be on the right path tomorrow. Therefore, do we have any other option but to seek help from Allah Almighty with hope and fear? Indeed, there is no other way.

We have been commanded to make efforts and use all means which are permissible and we are required to seek Allah’s assistance, i.e., do Dua. In cases where the path of effort is possible, besides making efforts, to make Dua along with the effort and in the same situations, not making dua but just making an effort — are the results in these two situations same? The first is the quality of a good believer. Whereas, is the second action of a good believer? Giving a little thought reveals the truth.

If I remember Allah Almighty only when I am in trouble, then any intelligent individual understands what kind of relationship I have with Allah Almighty.

If one delays in realization, at least do not delay the action for change

If so, I am like the person mentioned above. My prayers and remembrance of Allah have been short/absent in favorable conditions and if I forget Allah due to busyness and eagerness to increase income, or some other reasons, it is necessary to repent and ask for forgiveness (to Allah) now.

Good believers continue Nafl (supererogatory) Salat (namaz, prayer), Salatul Hajjat, Salatut Tawba in all situations. They acknowledge their mistakes in obligatory prayers (none of us can accomplish an error-free Ibadat, therefore, this is important!), we are always dependent on Allah Almighty regarding all hajat or needs, sins are always committed by us – we do not always understand how and where we are committing sins. Therefore, such realizations are always keeping the remembrance of Allah afresh in all their worldly activities. Rather, if there is a decrease in Dua or other Ibadat in favorable situations, they fear it a lot!

If my relationship with Allah is not strong, my practice is to call and supplicate to Allah mainly in troubles and problems — it does not mean that my way is closed! Alhamdulillah, I am a believer! I at least believe that my Lord is one and the ONLY in all circumstances, He is none but Allah, whose bounty I enjoy, to whom I must always seek help, there is no other way, no other door to knock. So, I can correct myself. I can move forward on the path of Allah Almighty prior repentance. If I compare the lives of the good believers and my own, if I increase my efforts to advance on the path of Allah Almighty, I would increase Dua, expressing gratitude and forgiveness to Him, InshaAllah I will also see the positive consequences (just as on the good believers), i.e., how blessings would be showered on my life!

Let us not neglect, and let’s start from this very day the act (supplicating or making Dua to Allah) which never goes in vain. The reward of which is infinite wealth — beneficial in this life of the world and also after death to the enteral one!

This effort never fails

This arrow is never wasted too,

Provide me O my Lord..

Tawfeeq of seeking to You!

Aameen

Some other important relevant matters

It is very important to do Dua for all our needs and in all situations. Primarily, everyone should do dua for the self. Yes, one should also seek and do Dua for the close relatives. Sometimes we do Dua for a long time but no effect can be seen. It does not mean that our Dua has not been accepted. Dua should be carried on on a regular basis — with care and attention.  In this regard, Hakeemul Ummah Thanvi Rahimahullah has warned us: We should not consider the direct result of our supplication as the root or purpose of supplication. For instance, If a servant has prayed, s/he received the Mercy of Allah Almighty as soon as the individual prayed. This is the main achievement of Dua. Then how and when we will see the impact of Dua is the secondary issue. How beautifully the Ulama has said: Keep on asking Allah. Even if Allah hasn’t given, that is His provision and bounty! We foolishly think from our side, if we cannot see my Dua accepted, I haven’t achieved anything. This notion is completely wrong. Allah knows what is good or bad for each and every one of us.  For example, someone suffering from a terminal illness is now crying and s/he is doing Dua that Allah will grant him/her health, give complete recovery. This Dua should be done,  fine. He himself should do such Dua, so should the individual’s relatives for the sick. But apparently, the Dua was not accepted. Now suppose the person passed away from that very disease. (Think rationally:) Who knows how much loss or gain had it been for the deceased, if the individual had recovered and been alive? Maybe a trial would have come upon him which would result in the person’s loss of invaluable asset Imaan (faith on Allah)! But he passed away before that great calamity and he passed away with faith.* This is only due to Allah’ will Who knows everything. Seldom Allah shows the real consequences of our affairs — how His wisdom works. Unfortunately, we do not give deep contemplation. Therefore, by not seeing the outward effect of Dua is mere foolishness. Being satisfied and pleased with Allah’s decision is a great virtue. There are a few articles on this topic in our site:

Allah Taala is Hakeem Not unjust: Part 1

Allah Taala is Hakeem Not unjust: Part 2

The point we were discussing: Along with doing Dua for oneself, an individual should seek Dua from the pious and saintly bondsmen of Allah. Of course, in times of need and adversaries, one should pray for himself but also should ask to the pious servants to do Dua for him. Experience shows great benefits of doing so.

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*Think about a situation! Which is not only true, rather, many people have seen such circumstances in their own or in the lives of someone around them! For instance, Someone is in some grave trouble and now the individual is seeking/desiring death — he finds death is much better than the undergoing pain. He may be saying, “Alas! Let my death come before this engulfs me.” But desiring death has been forbidden. In such circumstances and conditions, our Beloved Messenger ﷺ of Allah taught us to do Dua (supplicate) in the following way:

اللَّهُمَّ أَحْيِنِي مَا كَانَتِ الْحَيَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي، وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا كَانَتِ الْوَفَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي ‏‏

The meaning of the Hadith along with the meaning of the Dua: 

None of you should wish for death because of a calamity befalling him; but if he has to wish for death, he should rather say: O Allah! Keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and let me die if death is better for me. Bukhari

Last Updated on November 23, 2023 @ 4:59 am by admin