A sister’s supplication

She began by saying: ‘May the Almighty Allah who is mindful of you continue to watch over you. He who knows all things will continue to meet your heart’s desires. An Nur (an attribute of the Almighty that means The Light) will never allow darkness to cover your glory. Your Creator, who is great in […]

She began by saying: ‘May the Almighty Allah who is mindful of you continue to watch over you. He who knows all things will continue to meet your heart’s desires. An Nur (an attribute of the Almighty that means The Light) will never allow darkness to cover your glory. Your Creator, who is great in battle, will continue to fight for you and grant you victory always.  He’ll never fail you. He will continue to wrap your life with all-around success and blessings. The Most High shall fight your battles.  Whatever has been broken, the Almighty shall restore. Whatever has been taken away shall be returned, whatever has been wasted shall be redeemed. He will uplift and bless you and your loved ones.

The words of penitence and requests to the Almighty contained in this supplicatory message were so profound that I could not help but say Aamin and repeatedly, too. But her message reminded me of an aspect of our daily obligations as believers- establishing a constant connection with our Creator and the necessity to call on him ceaselessly for the discharge of our earthly needs and desires. But how do we get our supplications accepted? How do we ensure that our supplications are accepted?

Muslim scholars have said that if you find yourself in any of the situations below, it is most likely that your supplications will be accepted.

These include people who have been wronged or oppressed; people going through severe difficulties after a calamity; travellers on journeys sanctioned by the Almighty; people who are engaged in fasting, women in labour, reciters of the glorious Qur’an, a person who makes dua for someone in their absence (when you make dua for someone in their absence, an angel says, “Ameen and to you”); a person who is in a state of remembrance of Allah frequently and a just ruler.

Now, exactly at what time are supplications accepted? Muslim jurists have offered some suggestions. They have posited that the best times for supplications include the early morning hours (the last portion of the night until the start of fajr), moments after the adhan (call to prayers), while in sujud (prostration) during salat, and before the end of salat after finishing the tashahhud. It has also been said that supplications stand a good chance of being accepted when they are offered after the obligatory prayers, when the Imam sits down between the two khutbahs on Fridays, and immediately after waking up at night for tahajjud.

Brethren, we all know that the month of Ramadan provides an unequal opportunity for supplications to be accepted (Quran 2: 186).  The month hosts the night of Majesty (Laylat al-Qadr). What better chance could the believer have for his supplications to be accepted than for such to be offered either in the Haram in Makkah or Madinah?

But we must bear in mind that for our supplications to be accepted, no matter where and when they are offered, we must endeavour to fulfill certain basic conditions. These include purity. Purification of our body, our cloth and the place of worship are preconditions for the acceptance of supplications in Islam.

The Prophet says: “Verily, Allah is pure and does not accept save what is pure. And verily Allah has commanded the believers with that which He commanded the messengers, for He, Most High, said, ‘O messengers! Eat from those things that are pure, and do righteous deeds”.

In other words, for our duas to be answered, certain prerequisites need to be met. Ensure that your income is from lawful means, that you consume foods and drinks that are pure and halal, that you are repentant for your sins, and that you are not neglectful of your prayers and other obligations.  Perhaps most importantly, have absolute conviction that the Almighty will accept your supplications. The Prophet says: “Call on the Almighty while having full conviction that He will answer, and realize that He does not answer the dua that proceeds from a heedless, inattentive heart.”