The Weapon of the Believer: 12 Essential Etiquettes of Dua
The Holy Prophet صلی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ وآلہ وسلم has referred to Dua as the weapon of the believers. Dua is a profound method to convey one’s requests to the court of Almighty Allah, acting as a divine connection between the Creator and the creation.
Similarly, Dua has certain requirements for it to be accepted, known as the manners of Dua. While the absence of these conditions does not guarantee rejection—especially if Almighty Allah shows mercy—their presence makes the supplication more perfect and significantly increases the likelihood of acceptance. Conversely, if these manners are ignored, one cannot confidently expect an answer.
The Holy Prophet صلی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ وآلہ وسلم said:
وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَسْتَجِيبُ دُعَاءً مِنْ قَلْبٍ غَافِلٍ لاَهٍ
“And know that Allah does not respond to supplication from a heart that is heedless and occupied by play.”
(Tirmidhi)
12 Key Etiquettes of Dua
To elevate your spiritual connection, strictly observe the following etiquettes:
1. Purification of the Heart
The heart must be cleansed of thoughts concerning all else except Allah. The heart is a special vessel where the mercy of Almighty Allah descends. As stated in a blessed Hadith:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى أَجْسَادِكُمْ وَلاَ إِلَى صُوَرِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى قُلُوبِكُمْ
“Verily Allah does not look to your bodies nor to your faces but He looks to your hearts.”
2. Physical Cleanliness
Ensure that your body, clothes, and the spot where you are praying are neat and clean, because Almighty Allah is Nazif (clean) and He loves cleanliness.
3. Precede with Good Deeds
Perform a good deed before offering Dua. This focuses the blessings of the Merciful Lord upon you. The recommended good deed in this regard is a hidden charity (Sadaqah), as it highly increases the chances of the acceptance of Dua.
4. Fulfill Rights of Others
Pay those rights of the people that are due on you or seek their forgiveness and have them forgive you before offering Dua.
5. Abstain from Prohibited Sources
Take extra precautions to refrain from Haram (prohibited) foods, drinks, clothing, and earnings because the Dua of the people who consume Haram and commit forbidden acts often go unanswered.
6. Sincere Repentance
Repent of all previous sins before offering Dua. Asking for a favor while being adamantly disobedient is a shameless act.
7. Posture and Humility
While offering Dua, sit reverently on your knees in the state of Wudu with your face towards the Qiblah. Alternatively, stand on your knees or bow down in prostration to pay gratitude. A person is closest to Almighty Allah in the state of prostration, as the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ وآلہ وسلم said:
“The bondman becomes nearest to his Rab when he is in prostration. So increase supplications while prostrating."
8. Presence of Mind
Humility and humbleness should be expressed through your body, and a proper presence of mind must be there. When Bani Israel complained to their Prophet that their prayers were not being answered, it was said in reply: “How can I accept their prayers, for their tongues pray but their hearts remain drawn towards others.”
9. Lowering the Gaze
The gaze should be kept lowered; otherwise, it is feared that the eyesight might go weak. Although this warning in Hadith refers to praying during Salah, scholars have explained that it is applicable to all situations.
10. Begin and End with Praise (Hamd)
Praise Almighty Allah before and after Dua because doing Hamd (praise) pleases Almighty Allah, and He showers countless blessings in return.
11. Send Durood upon the Prophet
Before and after Dua, send Durood upon the Noble Prophet صلی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ وآلہ وسلم, his companions, and his sacred offspring. Durood is always accepted in the court of Almighty Allah, and the Merciful Lord is unlikely to accept the beginning and the end but reject the middle part (the Dua). Sayyiduna Umar رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ said:
إِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ مَوْقُوفٌ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ لاَ يَصْعَدُ مِنْهُ شَيْءٌ حَتَّى تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى نَبِيِّكَ صلى الله عليه وسلم
“Indeed the supplication stops between the heavens and the earth. Nothing of it is raised up until you send Durood upon your Prophet.”
(Tirmidhi)
12. Seek Intercession (Wasilah)
It is also recommended to put forward a Wasilah (intermediary) in the court of Almighty Allah. This includes:
- His blessed names and attributes.
- His books, especially the Quran.
- The Angels.
- The Noble Messengers, especially the best of all creation Sayyiduna Muhammad صلی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ وآلہ وسلم.
- His Auliya (friends) and chosen ones, especially Sayyiduna Ghaus-e-Azam رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہم.
Dua is accepted by presenting the Wasilah of the people beloved to Almighty Allah. Almighty Allah states in the Holy Quran:
وَابْتَغُوا إِلَيْهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ
“And seek the means towards Him”
(Maidah 5:35)
It is imperative to remember that when the Dua gets answered, one should pay thanks to Almighty Allah as it grants consistency to His favors and causes an increase in them.
May Allah enable us to supplicate in His court in the manner which is the most beloved and the most preferred to Him, and accept all our legal permissible supplications by virtue of the prayers of the Noble Prophet صلی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ وآلہ وسلم!
