In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
The Power of Du'a
(Islamweb) By: Khalid Baig
Dua
is so powerful that Dua has the power to create and alter
fate!!
The Dua can change our life,
our outlook, and our
fate. It is the most
potent weapon of a believer.
Once Prophet
Muhammad (SAWS) passed by a people who were
suffering from some affliction. "Why
don't they make Dua (pray ) to Allah for protection,"
he said. With all the suffering and disasters Muslims are facing
in various parts of the world, the question can be directed to all
of us today.
Generally Dua
is considered when all our efforts have failed --
an act of last resort!!
Dua
is conversation with Allah (SWT), our Creator,
our Lord and Master,
the All Knowing, the
All Powerful. We
turn to Him because we know that Allah
alone can lift our sufferings and solve our problems. Allah
(SWT) listens and already knows what is in your heart, but He
wants you to ask Him for what you want. The Prophet said:
Allah is angry with those who do not ask Him for anything
(Tirmidhi).
We feel relieved after
describing our difficulties to our Creator. We
sense His mercy all around us after talking to the Most Merciful.
When we fall sick, we know that we cannot find the right doctor without His Will; that the best doctor may not be able to diagnose our condition without His Command; that the best treatment plan will not succeed without His Permission. We make Dua for all of these.
A
person engaged in Dua affirms his belief in Tawheed
(monotheism) and shuns belief in all false gods. With
each Dua his belief in Allah (SWT) grows. Additionally,
such a person can never become arrogant or proud, a
logical result of true worship.
During the
battle of Badr, the Prophet Muhammad
(SAWS) stood up
all night in prayer seeking Allah's help in the battle between
unequal armies that would follow the next day.
In
the decisive battles against the crusaders, Sultan Salahuddin
Ayyubi was busy day and night. His days were devoted to Jihad. His
nights were spent making Dua, crying, seeking Allah's help.
That
is why we have been taught to ask Allah (SWT) when we need
something as small as shoelaces. We should ask as a
beggar, as a destitute person, for that is what
we in reality are in relationship to Allah (SWT).
We
should remember the Hadith: "There
is nothing 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.
We
should make Dua at all times, not only during times of distress.
The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said: "Whosoever
desires that Allah answers his Duas in unfavorable and difficult
conditions, he should make plentiful Dua in days of ease and
comfort." Also he said: "The
person who does not ask from Allah, Allah becomes angry with
him."
We
should 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
Muslims everywhere. We should pray for them for the good
in this world as well as in the Hereafter.
A believer who makes Dua receives one of three things:
1. Either he will quickly have his Dua answered
2. or he will get in the Hereafter
3.
or something bad will be prevented from him equal to the
value of his Dua.
The
Prophet (SWAS) said: "The
Dua of a Muslim for his brother (in Islam) in his absence is
readily accepted. An angel is appointed to his side. Whenever he
makes a beneficial Dua for his brother the appointed angel says,
'Aameen. And may you also
be blessed with the same.'" (Sahih Muslim)
Praying for others connects you with them and helps you understand their suffering. This in itself has a healing component to it. The Prophet has said that praying for someone who is not present increases love.