BY HARUN RAZAQ

_The importance of du’a cannot be over emphasized in Islam because Allah says: “And your Lord said: “Invoke Me I will respond to your (invocation)” (40:60). Also, the Prophet (SAW) said: “Du’a is worship” (Tirmidhi 3372; Abu Dawud 1479; Ibn Majah 3828; authenticated by al-Albaani in Sahiih Tirmidhi 2590).

Therefore, it is essential for a person making du’a during the month of Ramadan (and other time of the year) to observe the following etiquettes: (1) Must believe and fill his/her heart with Tauhiid (Islamic Monotheism) with regard to the divinity, Lordship, Names and Attributes of Allah. (2) Must respond to Allah by obeying Him and not disobeying Him (2:186).

(3) Must direct all his/her acts of worship to Allah alone (98:5). (4) Should ask of Allah by His most beautiful names (7:180). (5) Should praise Allah (by saying: Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar etc.) before calling upon Him (Allah). (6) Should send correct Solat (blessings) to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) e.g. (Allahumah Soli ala Muhammad wa salim or Salatu Ibrahimiyyah) upon the Prophet (SAW) before and after the du’a.

(7) Should say du’a with humility and not loud because Allah says: “Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret” (7:55). (8) Should raise the hands (the palm of the hand should be raised towards heaven, in the manner of a humble beggar who hopes to be given something). (Abu Dawood 1486). According to Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimiin (may Allah have mercy on him) in al-Sharh al-Mumti’ (4/25)

“the hands should be held together”. (9) Should have certainty faith that Allah will respond, and focusing with proper presence of mind. (Tirmidhi 3479; classed as Hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh Tirmidhi, 2766) (10) Should face the Qiblah (Muslim 1763), if it is easy to do so. (11) Should ask frequently with patient and not seek a hasty response, because the Prophet (SAW) said: “The slave will receive a response so long as his du’a does not involve sin or severing of family ties, and so long as he is not hasty.”

It was said, “What does being hasty mean?” He said: “When he says, ‘I made du’a and I made du’a, and I have not seen any response,’ and he gets frustrated and stops making du’a.” (Bukahari 6340; Muslim 2735) (12) Should be firm in his du’a and not to say, ‘O Allah, forgive me if You wish, O Allah, have mercy on me if You wish’. (Bukhari, 6339; Muslim, 2679).

(13) Should beseech Him with humility, hope and fear (7:55). (14) Should say the du’a three times. (Bukhari 240; Muslim 1794). (15) Should ensure that his/her food and clothing are halaal (conforms Islam) (2:172; Muslim 1015) etc