He that does good for good's sake seeks neither paradise nor reward, but he is
sure of both in the end.
..............................................................................................................................................................................................
In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merficul
Supplication
And Its Manners, Times, Conditions and Mistakes
By Abdulaziz Addweesh
Proofs Of Supplication From Qur'an
All mighty Allah (SWT) said :
"And when My slaves ask you (O Mohammed) concerning Me then (answer
them), I am indeed near (to them by my knowledge) I respond to the invocations
of the supplicant when he calls on me (without any mediator or intercessor) So
let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led to the right path."
(Qur'an 2:186)
The Prophet (SAW) was asked by some of his companions: "Is Allah near so
we invoke him or is he far so we call him? so Allah revealed this verse, -
Allah (SWT) is near He can hear the supplicant anytime anywhere and respond to
him if the supplicant invokes Allah (SWT) with a sincere heart and avoid
interdictions of supplication.
Allah (SWT) also said:
"Invoke your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) with humility and in secret,
He likes not the aggressors." (Qur'an 7:55)
Supplication is of two kinds. One is worship and the other is a request.
So He commands to be invoked with humility which is insisting in request and
continuously in worship and "secretly" not loud to avoid "Ryea" (showing off)
Allah (SWT) also said:
"And your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) said: "Invoke Me (i.e. believe
in My Oneness) (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 ) they will surely enter hell in humiliation!" (Qur'an 40:60)
Allah (SWT) said:
"Invoke Me, I will respond to you" , so from His mercy for His slaves He
has promised to respond to their invocations but for those who do not invoke
Him, He has promised punishment because invocation of Allah (SWT) is an act of
worship and refusing to invoke Him ( disbelieving in Him or having doubt in His
ability to answer the invocation) is refusal to worship Him.
Proofs Of Supplication From Sunnah
Narrated An-Numan bin Bashir (Ra) (Radhiallahu anhu, meaning: may Allah
be pleased with him): The Prophet (SAW) said: "Verily, Supplication is
worship." (AI-Arbaa (The four) and AI-Tirmdhi, graded it Sahih (sound))
Narrated Anas (Ra): The Prophet (SAW) said: "Supplication is the Pith
(essence) of worship." (At-Tirmidhi with a full chain of narrators)
Narrated Abu Hurairah (Ra): The Prophet (SAW) said: "Nothing is more
honorable (most liked ) before Allah (SWT) than Supplication ."
(At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim graded it Sahih)
From all the, Hadiths above we see that Supplication is a type of worship
and it is honorable to Allah or liked by Allah (SWT).
Manners of Supplication
1. Supplication should start with , "Bismillah.In the name of Allah,
Praise is to Allah, and Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon the Messenger of
Allah and should end with (Peace and Blessing be upon the Messenger of Allah)."
2. Supplication should be performed secretly and with a present (sincere)
heart . Allah (SWT) said: "Invoke your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) with
humility and in secret, He likes not the aggressors." (Qur'an 7:55)
3. Supplicate Allah (SWT) with humility and express your need of Allah
(SWT). He said: "Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they
used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before
us." (Qur'an 21:90)
4. Insist to Allah (SWT) in your supplication by repeating it many times .
5. Invoke Allah (SWT) by His Names and Attributes. He said: "And (all)
the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so call on Him by them." (Qur'an
7:180)
6. Supplicate Allah (SWT) by mentioning the righteous deeds you have done
. Narrated Abdullah bin Umar (Ra), that he heard Allah's Messenger (SAW),
saying "Three men, amongst those who became before you set out until night came
and they reached a cave, so they entered it. A rock slithered down from a
mountain and blocked the entrance of the cave. They said: "Nothing will save
you from this except that you supplicate to Allah (SWT) by mentioning the
righteous deeds you have done, etc." (Bukhari and Muslim)
7. Admit your sins during your supplication. Allah (SWT) said: "Dhan-Nun
(Jonah), when he went off in anger, and imagined that We shall not punish him.
But he cried through the darkness (saying): La ilaha illa Anta (none has the
,right to be worshiped but You) Glorified be You, Truly, I have been of the
wrongdoers." (Qur'an 21:87)
8. Repeat each sentence of your supplication three times. From the long
Hadith narrated by Ibn Masaud (Ra), and when the Prophet (SAW) finished his
Salat, he raised his voice and supplicated on them and when he supplicated, he
supplicated three times.... " (Muslim)
9. Face the Qiblah (Mecca) during your supplication. Narrated Abdullah
bin Zaid (Ra): "Allah's Messenger (SAW) went out to his praying place to offer
the Salat of Istisqa (rain) He invoked Allah (SWT) for rain and then faced
Al-Qiblah and turned his upper garment inside out ." (Bukhari)
10. Raise your hands while supplicating Allah (SWT) as in the Hadith of
Abu Musa (Ra): when the Prophet (SAW) had finished from the battle of Hunain,
he said "the Prophet (SAW) asked for water, performed ablution and then raised
his hands saying 'O Allah forgive Ubaid Abi Amir." (Bukhari and Muslim)
11. Be in the state of Purity during your supplication . (See the
previous Hadith)
12. When making supplication for others, start with yourself first then
include others. Allah (SWT) said about Noah (AS) "My Rabb (Cherisher and
Sustainer) forgive me and my parents and him who enters my home as a believer,
and all the believing men and women.." (Qur'an 71:28)
13. Do not be aggressive when you are supplicating Allah (SWT) such as
asking Him to make you a prophet and you know there will not be a prophet after
Mohammed (SAW) or make you live for ever and you know every one will die.
14. Remember to include your parents in your supplication (if they are
Muslims only or they died on Islam but if they are alive and they are non
believers, you can not supplicate Allah (SWT) to have mercy on them or forgive
their sins, you are only allowed to ask Allah (SWT) to guide them to the right
path "Islam" )
15. Be patient. Do not expect an immediate response from Allah (SWT)
although this could happen . But if it does not, then you should be patient
and continue supplicating Allah (SWT) until you see the results. Narrated Abu
Hurairah (Ra): Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: "The invocation of anyone of you
is responded to by Allah (SWT) if he does not show impatience by saying; 'I
invoked Allah (SWT) but my request has not been granted.'" (Bukhari and
Muslim)
Times of Supplication
There are certain times supplication is more likely to be accepted by
Allah (SWT) as the Prophet (SAW) said. These times are:
1. The Last Third Of The Night :
Abu Huraira (Ra) narrated that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: In the last
third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (SWT)) descends
to the lowermost heaven and says; "Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him?
Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so
that I may forgive him?." (Bukhari)
2. Late at night, when people are sleeping and busy with worldly
pleasures Allah (SWT) gives the believers an opportunity, or an answer hour if
they can fight sleep and invoke Allah (SWT) for whatever they need.
3. Between Adhan and Iqama:
Anas (Ra) narrated that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: " A supplication
made between the Adhan and Iqama is not rejected." (An-Nasai and Ibn Hibban
graded it sahih (sound))
4. An Hour On Friday:
Narrated Abu Huraira (Ra): Allah's Messenger (SAW) talked about Friday
and said: "There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering
Salat (prayer) and asks something from Allah (SWT), then Allah (SWT) will
definitely meet his demand." And he (the Prophet (SAW) pointed out the
shortness of that time with his hands. (Bukhari)
Some said this hour is from the time the Imam (prayer's leader) enters
the mosque on Friday's prayer until the prayer is over where others have said
that it is the last hour of the day. (Note: when we say an hour here we do not
mean the hour everyone knows (60 minutes) but an unspecified period of time
because the time counters which we use today came after the Prophet (SAW) had
died
5. While Drinking Zamzam Water:
Jaber (Ra) narrated that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: " Zamzam water
is for what it is drunk for." (Ahmed and Ibn Majah)
This means that when you drink Zamzam water you may ask Allah (SWT) for
anything you like to gain or benefit from this water such as healing from
illness.... etc.
6. While Prostrating:
Abu Huraira (Ra) narrated that Allah's Messenger (SAW), said: " The
nearest a slave can be to his Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) is when he is
prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah (SWT) much . (Muslim) When a Muslim
is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allah (SWT) and when he prostrates he is
the nearest he can be to Allah (SWT) so it is best to invoke Allah (SWT) at
this time.
On The Day Of Arafa: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: The best
supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafa. (At-Tirmidhi and Malik)
7. When Waking Up at Night:
Narrated Ubada Bin As-Samit that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: "
Whomever wakes up at night and says La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shrika lahu
lahulmulku, wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ala kulli shai'in qadir. Alhamdu lillahi,
wa subhanallahi wa la ilaha illallahu, wallah akbir, wa la hawla wala quwata
illa billah" (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (SWT) He is the
only one who has no partners. His is the kingdom and all the praises are for
Allah (SWT) All the glories are for Allah(SWT) And none has the right to be
worshipped but Allah (SWT) and Allah(SWT) is the most Great and there is
neither might nor power except with Allah (SWT) and then says, Allahumma ighfir
li (O Allah! Forgive me) or invokes Allah (SWT), he will be responded to and if
he makes ablution and performs Salat (prayer), his Salat (prayer) will be
accepted. (Bukhari)
8. At The End Of The Obligatory "Salat" :
Narrated Abu Omamah (Ra): that Allah's Messenger (SAW) was asked, O
Messenger of Allah, which supplication is heard (by Allah (SWT), he said the
end of the night and at the end of the obligatory Salat (prayer) (At-Tirmidhi)
This time is after saying "At-tahyat" , and before making Tasleem
(finishing prayer)
9. The Night Of "Qadr" (Decree):
This night is the greatest night of the year. This is the night which the
almighty Allah (SWT) said about it, "The night of Al-Qadar (Decree) is better
than a thousand month." (Qur'an 97:3)
10. During The Rain:
Narrated Sahel Ibn Saad (Ra): that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: Two
will not be rejected, Supplication after the Adhan (call of prayer) and at the
time of the rain. (Al-Hakim and Abo Dawood)
The time of the rain is a time of mercy from Allah (SWT) so, one should
take advantage of this time when Allah (SWT) is having mercy on His slaves.
11. At the Adhan: (See the previous paragraph)
12. The One Who Is Suffering Injustice:
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said to Moaad Ibn Jabal (Ra), Beware of the
supplication of the unjustly treated, because there is no shelter or veil
between it (the supplication of the one who is suffering injustice) and Allah
(SWT) (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The One who is suffering injustice is heard by Allah (SWT) when he
invokes Allah (SWT) to retain his rights from the unjust one. Allah (SWT) has
sworn to help the one who is suffering from injustice sooner or later as the
Messenger of Allah (SAW) said.
13. The Traveler:
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be
rejected (by Allah (SWT)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the
supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler,.
(Al-Bayhaqi and approved by Al-Albani)
During travel supplication is heard by Allah (SWT) if the trip is for a
good reason, but if the trip is for a bad intention or to perform illegal
things (making sins) this will not apply to it.
14. The Fasting: (See the previous paragraph)
15. The Parents Supplication for His Child: (See the previous paragraph)
Conditions for Supplication
1. One must know that only Allah (SWT) can answer his supplication and He
is the only one Who can bring good to him. Allah (SWT) said: "Is not He Who
responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil,
and makes you inheritors of the earth, generation after generation. Is there
any god with Allah? Little is that you remember" (27:62)
2. One must invoke Allah (SWT) alone and no others. Allah (SWT) said:
"And the mosques are for Allah (Alone), so invoke not anyone along with Him"
(Qur'an 72:18)
3. One must be patient (see page 9)
4. One must think positively of Allah (SWT), must have faith in Him and
believe that He has the ability to do anything He wants. Narrated Abu Hurairah
(Ra): Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: "Supplicate Allah with confidence He will
answer you" (At-Tirmidhi)
Mistakes in Supplication
1. Invoking other than Allah (SWT) such as prophets, pious people, stone,
idols ... etc this is Shirk (polytheism)
2. Wishing to die. Some people when they get sick, and they do not heal
soon, or they have some personal problems they start wishing for death.
3. Asking Allah (SWT) to hurry or give his punishment in this life.
4. Asking Allah (SWT) to break the bond of kin-ship. (such as separating
one from his parents)
5. Supplicating for sins to spread in the Islamic society.
6. The "Imam" (prayer's leader) making supplication for himself without
including the followers in his supplication. (during group prayer, At-taraweh
in Ramadan)
7. Invoking Allah (SWT) to see if there is a response without a sense of
genuine purpose.
8. Raising the voice during the supplication. It should be done secretly.
9. Saying Insha-Allah, (Allah willing) after the supplication. (Ex.: O'
Allah forgive my sins if you will) Narrated Abu Huraira (Ra): the Messenger of
Allah (SAW) said, "None of you should say: O' Allah forgive me if you wish, O'
Allah be merciful to me if you wish, but he should always appeal to Allah (SWT)
with determination, for nobody can force Allah (SWT) to do something against
His will. (agreed upon)
10. Invoking Allah (SWT) aggressively, (asking Allah (SWT)) for
impossible things such as asking Him to make you a prophet or immortality)
11. Asking Allah (SWT) to harm a Muslim.
12. Asking Allah (SWT) to have a Muslim commit a sin or die as a non
believer.
Reasons for the Acceptance of Supplication
There are some reasons which cause the supplication to be accepted by
Allah (SWT) They are:
Repentance to Allah (SWT): The almighty Allah (SWT) said "I said (to
them): 'Ask forgiveness from your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) Verily, He is
Oft Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance; And give you increase in
wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers"
(Qur'an 71:10,12)
Good income: The income must be halal (good) as the Messenger of Allah
(SAW) was asked by one of His companions, How could I have my supplication
responded to? The messenger of Allah (SAW) said; "Make your income good and
your supplication will be responded to."
Perform Supererogatory Deeds: Such as voluntary prayer and voluntary
fasting.
Chose the preferred time for Supplication: (see above)
Reasons for the Rejection of Supplication
As there are reasons for acceptance of a supplication, there are also
reasons for rejection of a supplication. Here are some reasons which will cause
Allah (SWT) to reject the supplication:
Illegal Income
Committing a lot of Sins
Having doubt in Allah (SWT)
Being Aggressive When Supplicating
What Happens When Supplication is Made?
When someone invokes Allah (SWT), one of the following will happen:
Allah (SWT) will respond to the supplicant and He will give him what he
asked for.
Allah (SWT) will prevent the supplicant from being harmed.
Allah (SWT) will reward the supplicant with "Hasanat" (good reward)
which will be kept for him on the Day Of Judgment.
Selected Supplications from the Qur'an
"Rabana atina fey ad-dunia hasanah wa fey al-akhairatty hasanah waqana
addab annar." (Our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) give us in this world
that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from
the torment of the Hellfire) (Qur'an 2:201)
"Rabana atina men ladunka rahamah wa haia lana men amrina rashada."
(Our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) bestow on us mercy from Yourself, and
facilitate for us our affair in the right way) (Qur'an 18: 10)
"Rabana la tawakhidna in nasina ow akhttaana" (Our Rabb (Cherisher and
Sustainer) punish us not if we forget or fall into error) (Qur'an 2:286)
"Rabana eghfer lana wa lee ekhwa nina aladhina sabaqowna bill eaman walla
taga al fey qoolobana ghillan lil athina amanoo, Rabana ainka ra awaf on
rahaim" (Our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) forgive us and our brethren who
have preceded us in faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those
who have believed. Our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) you are indeed full of
kindness, most merciful) (Qur'an 59:10)
Selected Supplications from Sunnah
The Prophet (SAW) said; "The best supplication for seeking forgiveness is
to say, "Allahuma anta Rabi la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa ana abduka, wa
ana ala ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu A udhu bika min sharri ma sana'tu, abu'u
laka bini'matika alaiya, wa abu'u bidhanbi faghfirli fa innahu la yaghfiru adh
dhunuba illa anta." (O Allah you are my Lord! None has the right to be
worshipped but You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my
covenant and my promise as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the
evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed
upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So I entreat You to forgive my sins,
for nobody can forgive sins except You) The Prophet (SAW) added; "If somebody
recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day
before evening he will be from the people of Paradise. And if somebody recites
it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before morning, he will be from the
people of Paradise." (Al-Bukhari)
The Prophet (SAW) said; "Oh people, repent unto Allah for I repent to
Allah one hundred times every day." (Muslim)
(Repenting to Allah by saying "Atubu illa Allah" , I repent to Allah)
The Prophet (SAW) said; "If a Muslim asks Allah (SWT) with the
supplication of Prophet Yunus (Jonah), he will be responded to" (Ahmed)
The supplication is "La illaha illa anta subhanak ini kuntu mena
ad-dalimean" Means There is no God but You; Glory be to You, Verily I was one
of the transgressors.
The Prophet (SAW) heard someone Supplicating Allah (SWT) by these words,
"Allahumma iny asa aluka bi'ani as-shadu anaka anta Allah la illaha ila anta al
ahado assamad alathy lam yalid walam youlad walam yakun lahu kuffuan ahad" , (O
Allah, I ask You by my testimony that You are Allah and that there is no God
other than You. You are the Self Sufficient Who neither begets nor was begotten
and to Whom there is none equal) Then the Prophet (SAW) said; "By Him whose my
soul is in His hand, he has asked (the supplicant) Allah (SWT) by His supreme
name. Allah will surely answer when one asks Him by His supreme name."
(Ahmed and Abu Dawud) (This means, when someone is supplicating Allah (SWT), he
should ask Allah (SWT) with these words by saying the words above then say his
supplication)
Narrated Ibn Abbas (Ra): The Prophet (SAW) used to invoke Allah (SWT) at
the time of distress, saying, "La ilaha illa Allah'u alAdearn al-Halim, La
illaha illa Allah RabbulArsh il Adeem La illaha illa Allah Rabbus-samawti wa
Rabbul-ardi wa Rabbul-arshil Karim." (None has the right to be worshipped
but Allah, the Majestic, the Most Forbearing. None has the right to be
worshipped but Allah, the Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) of the Tremendous
Throne. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Rabb (Cherisher and
Sustainer) of the heaven and the Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) of the earth
and the Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) of the Honorable Throne) (Al-Bukhari)
Whenever the Prophet (SAW) paid a visit to a patient, or a patient was
brought to him, he used to invoke Allah, saying, "Ethhib al-bass Rab-Annas
eshfi wa anta a's hafy la shifa'a illa shifa'oak shfa'an la yughadiru saqama."
(Take away the disease, O the Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) of the people!
Cure him as You are the One Who cures. There is no cure but Yours, a cure that
leaves no disease) (Al-Bukhari)
Narrated Abu Huraira (Ra), Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "Whoever says,
'Subhan allahi Wa bihamdihi' (I glorify Allah's Praises) one hundred times a
day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the
sea." (Al-Bukhari)
The Prophet (SAW), made the following statement: "Allahuma iniy
a'udhubika minalbukhli. Wa a'udhubika min an uradda ila ardhalil umor. Wa
a'udhubika min fitnatid donya wa 'adhabil qobor." O Allah! I seek refuge
with You from miserliness; and I seek refuge with You from cowardice; and I
seek refuge with You from being sent back to geriatric old age; and I seek
refuge with You from fitnah (trial) of this world; and I seek refuge with You
from punishment in the grave." (Al-Bukhari)
Jazak Allah Khair
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