Watch your attitude in du’a

Apart from supplications recommended to accompany the daily prayers, and those in the ayats, Muslims are encouraged to call upon Allah (SWT) to forgive and protect them, their families, parents and the ummah generally; to guide them and give them strength, throughout their lives.“And do bring Thy Lord to remembrance in your soul, with humility, […]

Apart from supplications recommended to accompany the daily prayers, and those in the ayats, Muslims are encouraged to call upon Allah (SWT) to forgive and protect them, their families, parents and the ummah generally; to guide them and give them strength, throughout their lives.
“And do bring Thy Lord to remembrance in your soul, with humility, and remember without loudness in words, in the morning and ‘Asãl and be not of those who are unheedful.” (Al-’A`rãf).
Although there are recommended du’as in the Qur’an and Sunnah, Muslims can make their personal supplications or prayers (du’a) in their own language or words, bearing in mind the requisite dispositions as demanded by the Shariah and contained in various hadith.
Allah (SWT) says: O thou folded In garments! Stand [to prayer] by night less some of it. Half of it, or a little less, or a little more; And recite the Qur’an in slow, measured rhythmic tones. Soon we shall launch down unto thee a heavy Statement. Truly the rising by night is a time when impression is more keen and speech more upright. (Al-Muzammil (73) Vs. 1-6).
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Shall I not tell you the most in goodness of your deeds, the nicest to Your Owner, the highest in your ranks, better for you than spending gold and silver, and better for you than meeting your enemy whereupon you strike their necks and they strike your necks?” They said “Yes O’ Messenger of Allah.” He said: “Remembrance of Allah.” -At-Tirmithi, Al-Bukhãri, Ibn Mãjah, and Al-Hãkim.
In recent times, there have been reechoing calls by religious, political and leaders of industry, other concerned groups and individuals for du’a for change in the direction of affairs in our dear country, Nigeria.  But, despite the tragedies that have been visited on the country and most of the Muslim world and societies worldwide, we as Muslims must not allow emotions – helplessness and sadness – get the better of us.
Allah and His Prophet have called on the ummah to repose their trust in Ar-Rahmanir-Rahim, the Sublime, rather than despair or give in to hopelessness. We must persevere in abiding by the injunctions of our Creator and Sustainer; we must put our trust in Allah, do good deeds and always strive to stand up for justice and truth in order that our du’as to Him (SWT) will continue to be answered.
Some of the etiquettes of du’a as narrated in the Hadith have been summarised by Faraz al- Mahmudi to include the following:
Abstain from food that is haram, clothing and earnings. (Muslim, Tirmidhi)
Make Du’a with sincerity. In other words, one should firmly believe that nobody but Allah Ta’ala will fulfill his objectives. (Hakim)
Perform a good deed prior to making the du’a and mention this during the course of the du’a.
Make du’a whilst one is pure and clean. (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Nasai, Ibn Hibban, Mustadrak).
Face the Qiblah (All six major hadith collections)
Sit as in the Tashahhud position (Abu Awanah)
Praise Allah Ta’ala at the beginning as well as at the end of du’a (All six major hadith collections)
Convey salawat upon Rasulullah (SAW) at the beginning as well as the end. (Abu Dawud, Musnad Ahmad)
Raise both the hands up to the shoulders (Abu Dawud, Musnad Ahmad)
Sit with humility and respect. (Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud)
Mention ones helplessness and dependence. (Tirmidhi)
Abstain from raising the eyes towards the sky whilst making dua (Muslim)
Mention the Asmal-Husna (the names of Allah Ta’ala ) and the sublime qualities of Allah Ta’ala. (Ibn Hibban and Mustadrak)
Abstain from ceremonies rhyming of the dua phrases (Bukhari)
Abstain from saying the du’a in a “sing-song” tone if the du’a is in a poetic form (Hisn)
Make the du’a in a soft voice (All six major hadith collections on the authority if Abu Musa)
Utter the du’a phrases transcribed from Rasulullah (SAW) because Rasulullah didn’t leave out a single need of the deen nor of the dunya whilst teaching us how to make du’a (Abu Dawud/Nasai)
Make a dua that encompasses most of the needs of deen and the dunya. (Abu Dawud)
Make dua in favour of oneself first, thereafter ones parents and to include the other Muslims in the Du’a as well (Muslim). Abu Dawud (RA) narrates that Rasulullah (SAW) said that the Imam who makes du’a for himself only, has betrayed the people.” In other words, the Imam should not make a du’a that is restricted to him alone. For e.g. He should not say, “O Allah! cure my son.” or “O Allah! Return my lost item.” etc. but he should make a du’a that includes all the congregation for e.g. He may say “O Allah! Forgive us and have mercy upon us.”
To make dua with firm conviction (for e.g. he should not say: “O Allah! If you wish fulfil so and so task of mine.” (All six major hadith collections)
As far as possible endeavour to bring about a “presence of heart and mind” and cherish a high hope of the du’a being accepted. (Hakim)
Avoid making duas of pre-determined and fixed things (for e.g. woman should not make a du’a of being transformed into a man or a tall person shouldn’t make Dua thus: “O Allah! Make me short.” etc) (Nasai).Don’t Make dua for impossible things. (Bukhari)
Ask only Allah Ta’ala alone for all your needs. Do not depend upon His creation. (Tirmidhi/Ibn Hibban)
The one making the du’a as well as the person listening to it, both should say ‘Amen’ at the end. (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasai)
Rub both hands over the face at the termination of the du’a (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban, Majah, Hakim)
Don’t be impatient over the acceptance of duas. In other words, don’t say: “I’ve made du’a repeatedly but to no avail.” (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasai, Ibn Majah).