Dua in Islam

Dua is defined as any invocation or prayer addressed to Allah (SWT).
In our times, we find many reasons why people do not make Dua; we
forget, don't know how, orjust do not think it will be answered.
Fundamental tothis is the loss of dependence and trust upon Allah. As
Muslims there is something very wrong when we believe our Duas won't
be answered. We do not turn to Allah in our times of need and instead
put our trust, dependence and hopes on worldly things that we think
will help us.
Although these temporal things are the means through which our Duas
can be answered, the root of our being should be trained automatically
to turn to Allah and not anything or anyone else. Through Dua, we
strengthen our Imaan and our relationship with Allah, as well as
heighten our awareness of cause and effect that can help inspire and
motivate us to be closer to Islam in our lives.
We find many reassurances throughout the Quran for those who make Dua.
Allah the Exalted, has said: "And your Lord says: Pray untome: and I
will hear your prayer" (Quran 40:60), "Call upon your Lord Humbly and
in secret" (Quran 7:55), "When My servants question thee concerning
Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every
suppliant when hecalleth on Me" (Quran 2:186), "Is not He (best) who
listens to the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him, and who
relieves its suffering." (Quran 27:62)
Aisha radhiallaahu anha said, "No believer makes Dua and it is wasted.
Either it is granted here in this world or deposited forhim in the
Hereafter as long as he does not get frustrated."
In fact, it is even wrong to never make Dua,"Whosoever does not
supplicate to Allah, He will be angry with Him." [Saheeh
Jaami`as-Sagheer#2414]
Conditions for acceptance of Dua
1. A Hadith says "Ad-Du'aa Huwal-3ibaadah" , which means, "Dua is
worship." [Abu Dawud,at-Tirmidhi, Hasan Saheeh], Dua is Ibadah so
calling upon anyone other than Allah in one's Dua is Shirk. Thisis an
important condition of having one's Dua accepted; the Dua should be
directed to Allah alone.
2. A second condition would be sincerity or Hudoor alqalb , having the
heart present.
3. Also, one's food, drink, clothes and lifestyle should be Halal. One
should avoid unlawful, impious or forbidden sources or means of
livelihood.
4. Fourth, one cannot ask for something sinful or Haram. Dua should
not be made against family and property (i.e. to sever the ties of
kinship).
5. If one asks Allah to cursesomeone, it rises up to heaven and goes
to the person if they are deserving, if not it returns to the person
supplicating.
6. Patience is another condition. This perseverance in making Dua is
important. One should not say "Why hasn't Allah answered my Dua" or "I
have prayed and prayed so many times, but the same was not accepted"
and then become disappointed and give up praying. An example of this
is like a person who planted a seed or a sapling, and kept looking
after it and watering it and when itscomplete shape and height was
slow in coming, they left it and forgot about it.
7. Lastly one should have expectation, belief with certainty only
Allah can answer the Dua. Understanding dependence on Allah and asking
with absolute resolve and believing with certainty that one's Dua will
be answered is a also a condition of acceptance. One should not say "O
Allah do this...if you wish..." because one should appeal to Allah
with determination, for nobody can force Allah to do something against
his Will. If one fulfills these conditions, Allah will definitely
answer the Dua, avert some equivalent evil or give better in the
Hereafter.
We can and should make Dua in every condition, i.e. in hardship and in
prosperity. There are also some special times to make Dua where it is
more likely to be accepted.
Special times for dua:
1. When one is oppressed
2. Between the time of Athan and Iqama
3. At the time of the call forprayer
4. At the time of fighting when warriors are engaged with each other
5. When it is raining
6. When one is sick
7. The last third of the night
8. Ramadan (especially Lailatul Qadr)
9. After the Fard part of prayer\
10. When traveling
11. When breaking fast
12. In Sujood
13. Fridays, some say on Friday after Asr prayer
14. While drinking the water from the well of Zamzam
15. At the start of prayer (Dua of Istiftah)
16. When one begins the prayer, i.e. with "all praise be to Allah, the
Pure and the Blessed one"
17. While one recites al-Fatiha (which is a Dua)
18. When Ameen is said in the prayer (also relating to Fatiha)
19. At the time of raising the head after the Rukoo
20. In the last part of the prayer after conveying blessings unto the
Prophet (SAW)

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