Etiquette of Supplicating to Allah - How To Make Dua

Adequate knowledge about the concept of duʿāʾ is vital to the life of every Muslim — not just because duʿāʾ is a way to get the things we want, but because it is a matter of ʿaqīdah (the set of beliefs that a Muslim holds onto with total conviction).

Many have strayed from the right path due to the perception that their prayers go unanswered. Some have committed shirk, seeking help from entities other than Allah in a bid to have their prayers answered. Many have also fallen prey to sheikhs who misguide them and take advantage of their desperation.

We must know that for duʿāʾ to be accepted, two conditions must be met:

1. Ikhlāṣ (sincerity)

2. Following the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

Glad Tidings from the Prophet ﷺ

The lecturer began with a ḥadīth that brings glad tidings:

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“There is no Muslim who offers supplication in which there is no sin or severing of ties of kinship, but Allah will give him one of three things in return for it: either what he asked for will be hastened for him, or (a reward) will be stored up for him in the Hereafter, or an equivalent evil will be diverted from him.”

(Narrated by Ahmad, 10749)

He went on to explain that, linguistically, the word "duʿāʾ" means to ask. In the Islamic context, however, duʿāʾ is: an act of worship, a sign of servitude to Allah, a means for the servant to seek Allah’s help, care, and mercy, and a way to fend off Allah’s wrath. It is also a means of humbling oneself completely before Allah, acknowledging that we have no might or power except by Him.

Importance of Duʿāʾ

Duʿāʾ is an act of ʿibādah (worship), just like ṣalāh, fasting, etc. It is a way to earn rewards from Allah. It was narrated from An-Nuʿmān ibn Bashīr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Duʿāʾ is worship.”

Then he recited the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

“And your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’ Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.”

(Ghafir 40:60)

(Narrated by Ahmad in Al-Musnad, 18352, and Al-Bukhārī in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)

Duʿāʾ is also an act of obedience, as demonstrated in the above verse.

Abu Hurayrah reported: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Nothing is more honorable to Allah Almighty than supplication.”

(Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī)

While making duʿāʾ, one humbles and immerses themselves in the act, thereby honoring the Creator.

Duʿāʾ distances a person from Allah’s wrath.

It repels Shayṭān.

A person who constantly supplicates is close to Allah.

Even the structure of the Qur’an highlights the importance of duʿāʾ:

It begins with duʿāʾ (in Al-Fātiḥah) and

Ends with duʿāʾ (in Al-Falaq and An-Nās).

Conditions for Making Duʿāʾ

Duʿāʾ, like any act of worship, has conditions:

We learn from the duʿāʾ of Prophet Yūnus (peace be upon him):

“There is no deity but You. Glory be to You! Verily, I have been among the wrongdoers.”

(Qur’an 21:87)

Here, Yūnus:

Begins with Tawḥīd (a statement of Allah’s Oneness),

Glorifies Allah,

Acknowledges his wrongdoing — humbling himself before Allah.

Conditions for acceptance of duʿāʾ include:

• Upholding Tawḥīd in all its forms.

•  Making duʿāʾ only for permissible things.

• Believing that only Allah can answer your duʿāʾ.

• Having yaqīn (conviction) that it will be accepted.

Allah says:

“And do not lose hope in the mercy of Allah, for no one loses hope in Allah’s mercy except those with no faith.”

(Sūrat Yūsuf, 12:87)

'Abdullāh ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"The major sins are: associating partners with Allah in worship, feeling secure from Allah's plan, despairing of Allah's mercy, and losing hope in relief coming from Allah."

Etiquette of Making Duʿāʾ

1. Start by praising Allah, glorifying Him with phrases like Subḥānallāh, Alḥamdulillāh, etc.

2. Send salutations upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). This can be done in one of three ways:

At the beginning of the duʿāʾ, after praising Allah.

At the beginning, middle, and end of the duʿāʾ.

At the beginning and end.

 The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“When any one of you makes duʿāʾ, let him start by glorifying his Lord and praising Him, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet, then let him pray for whatever he wants.”

(Narrated by al-Tirmidhī, 3477; classed as ṣaḥīḥ by al-Albānī in Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd, 1314)

3.  Practice Tawassul: Seeking closeness to Allah through deeds and names that please Him, such as:

Calling upon Him using His Beautiful Names and Attributes.

Performing good deeds like extra prayers, charity, and fasting.

Avoid invoking Allah “by the glory of” any person, object, or place.

4.  Raise your hands:

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Allah feels shy to let His slave raise his hands to Him and bring them back empty.”

However, do not raise your hands in situations where the Prophet was not reported to have done so — e.g., during the khuṭbah (Friday sermon), ṣalāh, ṭawāf, saʿī, etc.

5. Avoid distractions and don’t be in a hurry.

6. Humble yourself before Allah.

From The Things That Promote Acceptance of Duʿāʾ

• Quick repentance (tawbah) from sins

• Making duʿāʾ during times when it is more likely to be accepted, such as:

• The last third of the night

• When it’s raining

• Between the adhān and iqāmah

• Upon hearing the crowing of a rooster

• Performing ablution and facing the qiblah

• Supplicating in sujūd and after the last tashahhud

May Allah make our duʿās ones that are accepted by Him. Āmīn.

Transcribed by Zaynab Boladale