The Manners Of Supplication
1) Supplication Is Worship
2) The Superiority Of Supplication
3) Dutifulness To Parents Is One Of The Ways That Lead To One’s Supplications Being Answered
4) It Is Recommended To Perform Good Deeds Prior To Supplicating
5) Performing Voluntary Acts Of Worship After Obligatory Ones Is One Of The Causes That Lead To A Person’s Supplications Being Answered
6) It Is Recommended To Face The Qiblah When Supplicating
7) It Is Recommended To Raise Your Hands While You Are Supplicating
8) It Is Recommended To Supplicate To Allah In Secret
9) To Supplicate With An Alert And Attentive Heart Leads To A Person’s Supplications Being Answered
10) It Is Recommended To Invoke Allah Persistently And Repeatedly
11) To Ask With Determination And Resolve
12) It Is Recommended To Preface One’s Supplications With Praises For Allah (Swt) And Then The Sending Of prayers Upon His Messenger (Pbuh)
13) Asking For One’s Supplications To Be Answered By Dint Of Previously Performed Good Deeds
14) It Is Recommended To Invoke Allah it With Supplications Whose Meanings Are Comprehensive Of All That Is Good
15) It Is Recommended To End One’s Supplication With That Which Corresponds To What lie Asked For
16) Supplicating After The Last Tashahud Of prayer And Before The Tasleem (The End Of The prayer)
17) It Is Recommended To Supplicate When A Rooster Crows
18) Transgression In One’s Supplication Is Forbidden
19) When One Is Supplicating, It Is Disliked For Him To Think Up An Invocation Of Rhyming Words
20) Asking Help For Sinning Or Breaking Off Ties Of Relation, Or Being Impatient For The Answer To One’s Supplications — These Actions Prevent One’s Supplications From Being Answered
21) Eating From Unlawfully Derived Wealth Prevents One’s Suppli¬cations From Being Answered
22) Times, Places, And Situations Wherein One’s Supplications Are Most-Likely To Be Answered
23) Situations Wherein One Can Reasonably Hope For His Supplica¬tions To Be Answered

The Manners Of Supplication

Allah (Swt) said: “And your Lord said: “Invoke Me, [i.e., believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [ie., do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!” (Qur’an 40:60)

And Allah (Swt) said: “Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil.” (Qur’an 27:62)

And Allah (Swt) said: “Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors.” (Qur’an 7:55)

And the Prophet (Pbuh) said, “Nothing drives back Al-Qadaa (a Decree) except for supplication, and nothing increases a [person’s] lifespan except for Al- Birr (dutifulness to one’s parents)” [ At-Tirmidhee, 2139]

1) Supplication Is Worship

Allah (Swt) said: “And your Lord said: “Invoke Me, [i.e., believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e., do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!” (Qur’an 40:60)

This verse clearly proves that supplication (Du’aa) may be directed to none but Allah (Swt) and in explaining this verse, the Prophet (Pbuh) made it clear that supplication is in fact worship of Allah (Swt). In a Hadeeth related by An-No’maan Ibn Basheer (R.A), the Prophet (Pbuh) said, “Ad-Du’aa (Supplication) is worship.”

He (Pbuh) then recited, “And your Lord said: “Invoke Me, [i.e., believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation).,”

until Allah’s saying, “…in humiliation!”. [At-Tirmidhee, 2669]

It becomes clear, then, that anyone who does not supplicate to Allah (Swt) or who supplicates to other than Him in matters that only He is capable of, then that person has — according to the above-mentioned verse — scorned His worship.

2) The Superiority Of Supplication

Ultimate safety and success hinge upon one’s realization of At-Tawheed – Islamic Monotheism, and one of the ways of realizing At-Tawheed in one’s life is to supplicate to Allah (Swt) only. This is because, as we said, supplication is worship, and worship is for Allah (Swt) alone.

There are many virtues and benefits of supplication; we will mention only a few of them here. First, when you supplicate to Allah (Swt) you will taste the spiritual sweetness of invoking Allah and of humbling yourself before Him. Breaking down before Allah it and invoking Him for one’s needs – accompanying these is a spiritual delight that cannot be described. Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “A knowledgeable person said: When I need something from Allah (Swt) and then ask Him for it, He (Swt) opens [such delights] of invoking Him, of becoming acquainted with Him (through His Beautiful Names and Attributes), of humbling myself before Him, and of praising Him, that I want the fulfillment of my need to be delayed, so that I can remain upon that [spiritually pleasing] state.”

Second, supplication drives back Divine Preordainment, for in an authentic Hadeeth, the Prophet (Pbuh) said, “Nothing drives back Al-Qadaa (a Decree) except for supplication, and nothing increases a (person’s] lifespan except for Al-Birr (dutifulness to one’s parents).” [At-Tirmidhee, 2139]

How does this mean that supplication drives back Divine Preordainment? Through contemplation of the matter, one will find that the answer is in Divine Preordainment itself. When a person becomes sick, he might supplicate to his Lord, and then become cured because of his supplication. It was Allah (Swt) Who decreed that he was to become sick, and then it was Allah (Swt) Who guided him and decreed for him to invoke Him for the removal of his sickness; and then Allah (Swt) cured him. So in the beginning and end, it is Allah’s Divine Preordainment that is at work, and only in appearance does supplication drive back Divine Preordainment.

3) Dutifulness To Parents Is One Of The Ways That Lead To One’s Supplications Being Answered

One of the greatest of good deeds is dutifulness to one’s parents, a fact that is mentioned over and over again throughout the Qur’an and Sunnah. A person who is dutiful to his parents or to one of them will always be guided to goodness; Allah (Swt) will put love for him into the hearts of people; and he becomes more likely to have his supplications answered. ‘Umar Ibn Al- Khattaab (R.A) related that he heard the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) say, “Uwais Ibn ‘Aamir, from the Amdaad (group of fighters who help Muslims in battle) of the people of Yemen, first from Muraad, then from Qarn – is going to come to you. He was afflicted by leprosy, but then became cured, except for a part [of his body] that is equal to a Dirham (in size (a Dirham is a kind of coin)]. He has a mother to whom he is dutiful. If he swears by Allah (that something should happen, or when making a supplication), Allah (Swt) will make his oath become fulfilled (i.e., He (Swt) will answer his supplication; such is Uwais’s status with Allah (Swt)). So if you are able to have him ask for forgiveness for you, then do so…” [Muslim, 2542]

Ibn ‘Umar (R.A) related a Hadeeth in which an account is given of the three people that were stuck in a cave when a large rock blocked their way. Each one of them mentioned a good deed he did for Allah (Swt) after which a small opening was made; when the last of them mentioned his deed, enough space was made for all of them to leave. One of them said, “0 Allah, I indeed had two very old parents, and I have young children. I would take care of them. When I would go to them and milk (an animal), I would begin with my parents, giving them to drink, before [giving drink to] my children. I was [once] made to stay far because of trees (because of work), and so I didn’t return until the night, and I found that they both had already fallen asleep. I milked [the animal], as I customarily did, and I brought the milk. I stood over their heads and disliked to wake them up from their sleep, but I also did not want to begin with the children before them, and the children were…[gathered] at my feet. We all remained upon that state until the break of dawn. [0 Allah,] if You know that I did that, seeking Your Face, then make for us an opening, through which we can see the sky.” The Prophet (Pbuh) then said, “So Allah made an opening for them, until through it, they were able to see the sky…” [Bukhaaree, 5974]

4) It Is Recommended To Perform Good Deeds Prior To Supplicating

Prior to supplicating, you should perform deeds that bring you closer to Allah (Swt) and that bring about His love for you – deeds such as prayer, Zakaat, charity, and fasting. Allah’s love for one of His slaves means His being pleased with him, His help, His support, and His answering that slave’s supplications. Allah’s anger for one of His slaves means His wrath upon that slave, His forsaking of that slave, and His rejection of that slave’s supplications. Therefore, if you pray and then supplicate; fast and then supplicate; treat your relatives with kindness and then supplicate – you are more likely to have your supplication accepted and answered. And Allah (Swt) knows best.

5) Performing Voluntary Acts Of Worship After Obligatory Ones Is One Of The Causes That Lead To A Person’s Supplications Being Answered

When you perform voluntary acts of worship – such as voluntary charity, fasting, and prayer – over and above the obligatory acts of worship you perform, you pave the way to having your supplications answered. Abu Hurairah (R.A) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “Verily, Allah (Swt) said: Whoever shows enmity to a Walee (close, obedient slave, who worships Allah alone without associating partners with Him in worship, performs good deeds, and avoids sins) of mine, then I declare war upon him. No slave seeks closeness to Me with anything that is more beloved to Me than that which I have made obligatory upon him. And My slave continues to seek closeness to Me through voluntary acts [of worship] until I love him. And when I love him, I become his hearing that he hears with, his sight that he sees with, his hand that he strikes with, and his leg that he walks with. If he asks Me, I give him; if he seeks refuge with Me, I give him refuge. And I have never hesitated about something I do the way I hesitate to take the soul of a believer; he dislikes death, and I dislike his being distressed (or harmed).” [Bukhaaree, 6502]

6) It Is Recommended To Face The Qiblah When Supplicating

The Ka’bah is the most honorable place to turn towards on the entire earth. Worshippers face its direction when they pray; some of them also turn towards it when they supplicate, a practice that is taken from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) for on some occasions, he (Pbuh) supplicated, facing the Ka’bah. Here are two examples: Ibn Mas’ood (R.A) said, “The Prophet (Pbuh) faced the Ka’bah and supplicated against a group of people from the Quraish: Shaibah Ibn Rabee’ah, ‘Utbah Ibn Rabee’ah, Al-Waleed Ibn ‘Utbah, and Abu Jahl Ibn Hishaam. I make Allah bear witness that I saw them struck down; the sun had changed them (perhaps meaning that their bodies already began to decompose), and it was a hot day.’ [Muslim, 1794]

And in the second example, the Prophet (Pbuh) faced the Ka’bah when he (Pbuh) supplicated on the day of Badr. ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (R.A) said, “When the day of Badr came to pass, the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) looked at the disbelievers, who were 1000 in number, while his companions were 319 men. The Prophet of Allah (Pbuh) then faced the Qiblah (towards the Ka’bah), extended his hands, and then began to call out to his Lord: 0 Allah, carry out for me that which You promised me…”

7) It Is Recommended To Raise Your Hands While You Are Supplicating

The above-mentioned Hadeeth of ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (R.A) indicates that it is recommended for a Muslim to raise his hands while he is supplicating; particularly, this part of the Hadeeth:

“He (Pbuh) then extended his hands.” The same is related from Ibn ‘Umar (R.A). During Hajj, after pelting the smaller and middle Jamaraat, Ibn ‘Umar (R.A) would face the Qiblah, raise his hands, and supplicate. He (R.A) would then pelt the Dhaat Al-Aqabah Jamarah, after which he wouldn’t stand to supplicate, but would instead leave. Describing this practice of his, Ibn ‘Umar (R.A) said, “This is what I saw the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) do.” [Ahmad, 6368]

Question: What has hitherto been mentioned doesn’t seem to correspond with what Anas (R.A) related; he said that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) would not raise his hands for any of his supplications except for Al-Istisqaa (the rain prayer), for he would raise his hands [then], to the degree that the whiteness of his armpits could be seen. [Muslim, 895] How, then, can we find harmony between Anas’s sayings and the fact that the Prophet (Pbuh) raised his hands to supplicate on various occasions?

Answer: Ibn Hajr said: “Anas’s saying, ‘Except for Al-Istisqaa’ apparently negates the practice of raising hands for all supplica-tions other than the Al-Istisqaa. Yet this is contrary to established Ahadeeth, in which the Prophet (Pbuh) raised his hands for other than Al-Istisqaa…Some [scholars] maintain that it is better to apply those Ahadeeth, and to understand from Anas’s narration that he wasn’t denying that the Prophet (Pbuh) raised his hands for other than Al-Istisqaa, but that he himself never saw the Prophet (Pbuh) raise his hands on other occasions. This does not mean that others didn’t see him raise his hands on other occasions. To find harmony between the conflicting narrations, others interpret Anas’s narration in a different way; they say that Anas (R.A) was explaining that the Prophet (Pbuh) raised his hands in a certain way for Al-Istisqaa only; on other occasions, then, he might have raised his hands, but not in that same manner.”

8) It Is Recommended To Supplicate To Allah In Secret

Allah (Swt) said: “Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret.”

Allah (Swt) exhorted His slaves to invoke Him in secret and without raising their voices. To supplicate in secret is at once good manners and a sign of sincerity, both of which make it more likely for a person’s supplications to be answered. Ibn Taymiyyah said, “Muslims (referring to the early generations of Muslims) would ardently supplicate, yet their voices would not be heard by those around them; they would whisper, keeping their supplications between them and their Lord (Swt). Allah (Swt) said: “Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret.”

And Allah (Swt) mentioned a righteous slave of His, with whose actions He (Swt) was pleased: “When he called out his Lord (Allah) – a call in secret” (Qur’an 19:3).”

Related Note: There are many reasons why a Muslim should invoke Allah (Swt) in secret; Shaikh Al-Islam mentioned a number of them, and we will relate some of them here:

1) Supplicating in secret involves a higher level of Eemaan (faith). When one supplicates in secret, he knows that Allah (Swt) hears a quiet, secret supplication.

2) Supplicating in secret involves a higher level of manners and veneration. No one raises his voice in the presence of a king, and if one were to raise his voice, the king would despise him. I mention this example not to draw a parallel – which is not possible, for Allah is the greatest and to Him belongs the highest example – but simply to make the matter clear. Since Allah (Swt) hears a supplication made in secret, it is not appropriate manners for one to supplicate with other than a low voice.

3) Supplicating in secret is more conducive to sincerity and to invoking Allah (Swt) with a heart that is alive and awake.

4) When one supplicates quietly and in secret, he is more likely to feel concentrated, with his heart fully preoccupied in thoughts of supplication and humility. On the other hand, when one raises his voice, his heart is likely to become distracted.

5) When a person speaks quietly, he shows that he feels a sense of closeness to the one he is communicating with, as opposed to a person calling out in a loud voice to someone who is at a distance. This is why Allah (Swt) praised His slave Zakariyyah (A.S), with His saying: “When he called out his Lord (Allah) – a call in secret” (Qur’an 19:3)

6) A person who supplicates quietly and in secret is likely to supplicate for a longer period of time than a person who supplicates out loud; the latter might get bored of talking out loud, he might feel dryness in his mouth and stop, or his tongue might get tired quickly, and so he will stop.

7) Sometimes, it is necessary to keep certain blessings hidden, because for every blessing there is a jealous person, whose jealousy corresponds in degree to the greatness of the blessing. And one of the greatest of blessings is being guided to supplicate to Allah (Swt); hence it is better to invoke Allah (Swt) in secret.

9) To Supplicate With An Alert And Attentive Heart Leads To A Person’s Supplications Being Answered

When one invokes Allah (Swt) with a heart that is awake and alert, he is more likely to have his supplications answered. This means that one should read invocations with, among other things, a sense of fear, hope, and humility. Allah (Swt) said: “Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret.”

And Allah (Swt) said: “And invoke Him with fear and hope” (Qur’an 7:56)

And the Prophet (Pbuh) said, “When you invoke Allah, you should believe with certainty that your supplication will be answered. And know that Allah does not answer a supplication from a heart that is inattentive and heedless.” [At-Tirmidhee, 3479]

10) It Is Recommended To Invoke Allah Persistently And Repeatedly

Again, one should take the necessary steps to improve the likelihood of his supplications being answered. One such step is to invoke Allah (Swt) with persistence, repeatedly making the same supplication over and over again, showing one’s humility and complete dependence upon his Lord. It is said that whoever knocks a door often enough will sooner or later be let inside.

‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (R.A) said, “When the day of Badr came to pass, the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) looked at the disbelievers, who were 1000 in number, while his companions were 319 men. The Prophet of Allah (Pbuh) then faced the Qiblah, extended his hands, and then began to call out to his Lord: ‘0 Allah, carry out for me that which You promised me. 0 Allah, bring to pass that which You promised me. 0 Allah, if You destroy this group from the people of Islam, You will not be worshipped on earth.’ He (Pbuh) continued to call out to his Lord, facing the Qiblah, and with his hands extended, until his robe fell down from his shoulders. Then Abu Bakr (R.A) went to him, took his robe, and flung it back onto his shoulders. Abu Bakr (R.A) then hugged him from behind and said, ‘0 Prophet of Allah, sufficient for you is your supplicating and calling out to your Lord, for He will complete for you that which He promised you. Then Allah ‘Azza Wa-Jall (Mighty and Majestic is He!) revealed: {(Remember) when you sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): “I will help you with a thousand of the angels each behind the other (following one another) in succession.”}. So Allah helped him with the angels…” [Muslim, 1763]

Abu Hurairah (R.A) related that At-Tufail Ibn ‘Amr Ad-Dausee (R.A) went to the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) and said, “Verily, the Daus (tribe) has disobeyed and refused (to accept Islam), so invoke Allah against them.” The Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) then faced the Qiblah and raised his hands; meanwhile the people were saying, “The people (referring to the Daus tribe) are surely destroyed.” But the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) made this supplication: “0 Allah, guide the (people of the] Daus (tribe] and bring them. 0 Allah, guide Daus and bring them (to the Messenger of Allah and to Islam).” [Muslim, 2524]

11) To Ask With Determination And Resolve

When one invokes Allah (Swt) he should show a sense of determination and resolve, which means that he should not make the answer of his supplication hinge upon Allah’s will, by saying, “0 Allah, grant me such and such if you will.” Instead one should show resolve, being sure that Allah (Swt) will answer his supplication. By being determined and sure in one’s supplications, one shows that he places his trust with Allah (Swt) that he is invoking the All-Seeing and the All-Hearing, that His Lord is upon all things able, and that nothing in the heavens and earth can weaken, thwart, or defeat Allah (Swt).

Anas (R.A) related that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “When you invoke Allah, then be determined in your supplication. And do not let one of you say, ‘If You will, then give me,’ for indeed, none can coerce Allah.”

Muslim related the Hadeeth with this wording: “…But let him be determined in asking and let him ask for something great (such as Paradise), for nothing that Allah it gives is much or great for Him.” [Muslim, 2678]

“Then be determined in your supplication” can mean, “Be resolved and do not hesitate”; some scholars say that it means, “Be resolved and do not be weak in asking”; and yet others say that it means, “Think well of Allah, being sure that He will answer your supplications.” By saying, “0 Allah, give me such and such if you will,” one seems to say that he doesn’t really need either Allah to help him or the thing he is asking for.

12) It Is Recommended To Preface One’s Supplications With Praises For Allah (Swt) And Then The Sending Of prayers Upon His Messenger (Pbuh)

Scholars unanimously agree that it is recommended to first praise and extol Allah (Swt) and send prayers upon the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) before and after one supplicates. Fudaalah Ibn ‘Abeed (R.A) said, “The Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) heard a man supplicate in his prayer, without glorifying Allah and without sending prayers upon the Prophet (Pbuh). The Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) then said [to him], ‘You have rushed (your supplication], 0 worshipper.’…

And the Prophet (Pbuh) heard a man pray; the man glorified Allah, praised Him, and sent prayers upon the Prophet (Pbuh). The Messenger of Allah (Pbuh), said [to him], ‘supplicate, you will be answered; ask, you will be given.”‘

At-Tirmidhee related the same Hadeeth with this wording: “While the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) was seated, a man entered and prayed. He said, ‘0 Allah, forgive me and have mercy on him.’ The Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) then said, “You have rushed [your supplication], 0 worshipper. When you pray and then sit, praise Allah with praises He is deserving of and send prayers upon me; then invoke Him.’

Then another man prayed after that; he praised Allah and sent prayers upon the Prophet (Pbuh). The Prophet (Pbuh) said, “0 worshipper, supplicate, you will be answered. “‘ [At-Tirmidhee, 3476]

Ibn Mas’ood (R.A) related a similar narration, in which he (R.A) said, “I was once praying while Abu Bala and ‘Umar (R.A) were with the Prophet (Pbuh). When I sat down, I began by praising Allah and then sending prayers upon the Prophet (Pbuh). I then supplicated for myself. The Prophet (Pbuh) then said, “Ask, you will be given; ask, you will be given. [At-Tirmidhee, 593]

13) Asking For One’s Supplications To Be Answered By Dint Of Previously Performed Good Deeds

One increases the chances of his supplication being answered when one mentions a previously performed good deed prior to supplicating. The Prophet (Pbuh) related the story of three men, who were stuck in a cave when a large rock blocked off its entrance. They said to one another, “Think over the righteous deeds you performed for Allah, and then invoke Allah by them; perhaps Allah will [then] make an opening for us [to leave].” Ahmad related the narration with this wording: “Then let each man invoke by the best deed he performed; perhaps Allah will save us from this [predicament].” [Muslim, 2743] Next, one of them mentioned the best deed he performed, after which he invoked Allah (Swt); the other two followed suit, and then Allah (Swt) answered their supplications and saved them from destruction.

14) It Is Recommended To Invoke Allah it With Supplications Whose Meanings Are Comprehensive Of All That Is Good

Supplications that are most comprehensive in their meanings of goodness are those supplications that are found in the Qur’an and Sunnah. The Qur’an is Allah’s speech – the highest and most noble speech. And the Sunnah too is revelation, which Allah (Swt) inspired the Prophet (Pbuh) with. Not only in supplications, but in general, the Prophet (Pbuh) was blessed with epigrammatic speech -speech that consisted of few words but many, profound meanings. Therefore, we do not doubt that a person who invokes Allah (Swt) with supplications taken from the Qur’an and Sunnah is more likely to have his supplications answered than a person who uses other supplications. Both the Qur’an and Sunnah contain many supplications, and though we cannot present all of them in this book since they are so many, we will now mention a few of them. You should notice that each of the following examples comprehends many good meanings.

Allah (Swt) said: “Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!” (Qur’an 2:201)

And Allah (Swt) said: “Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and makes us leaders for the Muttaqoon [pious and righteous persons who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)].” (Qur’an 25:74)

And Allah (Swt) said: “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If you forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.” (Qur’an 7:23)

In a Hadeeth related by ‘Aaisha (R.A), the Prophet (Pbuh) said, “…0 the One Who turns hearts over (guiding some and leaving some astray), strengthen my heart upon Your religion. ” [Ahmad, 24083]

Abu Bakr (R.A) related that he asked the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh), “Teach me a supplication which I can supplicate with in my prayer.” The Prophet (Pbuh) said, “Say: 0 Allah, I indeed wronged myself with a great deal of wrong, and none forgives sins except for You, so forgive me with a forgiveness from You; and have mercy on me. Indeed, you are Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Muslim, 2705]

15) It Is Recommended To End One’s Supplication With That Which Corresponds To What lie Asked For

Allah (Swt) said: “Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. You are the Bestower.” (Qur’an 3:8)

Because the suppliant is asking Allah (Swt) to bestow His mercy upon him, it is appropriate for him to finish his supplication by mentioning a corresponding quality of Allah (Swt): that He (Swt) is the Bestower. Here is another example; Allah (Swt) said: “Our Lord! Grant us what You promised unto us through Your Messengers and disgrace us not on the Day of Resurrection, for You never break (Your) Promise.” (Qur’an 3:194)

Because the believers are asking their Lord to grant them what He promised them upon the tongues of His Messengers, it is appropriate that they complete the supplication by describing Allah (Swt) as being always true to His promise: “For You never break (Your) Promise.” And in yet another example, Allah (Swt) related what ‘Eesa mil said when he asked Allah (Swt) to send a table spread from heaven: “Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryum (Mary), said: “0 Allah, our Lord! Send us from heaven a table spread (with food) that there may be for us – for the first and the last of us – a festival and a sign from You; and provide us sustenance, for You are the Best of sustainers.” (Qur’an 5:114)

Having asked for sustenance, ‘Eesa (A.S) appropriately finished his supplication by saying that Allah (Swt) is “the Best of sustainers.”

These are examples that can be applied for any supplication. If you ask Allah (Swt) to bless you with a child, you can finish your supplication by saying, for example, that Allah is the Bestower or the Provider. If you ask Allah (Swt) to forgive you your sins, you can finish yours supplication by saying that He it is Oft-Forgiving, the Most-Merciful. And if you ask for wealth, you can finish your supplication by saying that He (Swt) is the Provider and that He (Swt) is Most Generous.

16) Supplicating After The Last Tashahud Of prayer And Before The Tasleem (The End Of The prayer)

‘Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood (R.A) related a Hadeeth in which the Messenger of Allah #t taught the Tashaahud of the prayer (what one says during the sitting down phase of the prayer) to his Companions (R.A). Then explaining what one should do after that and before making Tasleem (before ending the prayer), the Prophet (Pbuh) said, “Then one may choose the supplication he likes most and [then] invoke [with it].”

Muslim related it thus: “Then he may choose to ask for whatever he wants.” [Muslim, 402]

We mentioned earlier that one should perform a good deed prior to supplicating, for that will increase the likelihood of his supplication being answered. prayer is one of the best deeds that a person can perform; it is one of the most beloved of deeds to Allah (Swt) During prayer, a worshipper speaks privately to his Lord, praising Him, invoking Him, and prostrating to Him. Then, at the end of the prayer, if the worshipper supplicates to his Lord, the likelihood of his supplication being answered increases. And the Prophet (Pbuh) exhorted the people of his Nation to supplicate after the Tashahud, just before the end of the prayer. This further points to the superiority of supplicating at that time.

Related Issue: An-Nawawee said, “Know that this supplication (the one that is performed after the final Tashaahud) is recommended and not compulsory. Unless one is leading the prayer, it is recommended to prolong this supplication. In performing this supplication, one may use any invocation, and one may ask for anything he wants from the affairs of the Hereafter or of this world. One may use invocations that are related from the Sunnah, or one may say whatever invocation comes to his mind, but the former kind of invocations are better. Also, invocations related from the Sunnah that are specific for this occasion are better than those that are specific to other occasions or those that are general.”

17) It Is Recommended To Supplicate When A Rooster Crows

In an authentic Hadeeth, the Prophets (Pbuh) said, “When you hear the crowing of a rooster, then ask Allah from His Favor, for it [means that (the rooster)] has [just] seen an angel. And when you hear the braying of a donkey, then seek refuge in Allah from the Shaitaan, for it [means that (the donkey)] has [just] seen a devil (a Shaitaan).” [Muslim, 2729]

An-Nawawee related that Al-Qaadee gave the following explanation for the first part of the Hadeeth: “One supplicates on this occasion in the hope that the angels will say Aameen to one’s supplication and that the angels will ask Allah (Swt) for his forgiveness…”

18) Transgression In One’s Supplication Is Forbidden

Allah (Swt) said: “Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors.” (Qur’an 7:55)

A transgressor of any kind is a person who is not loved by his Lord; furthermore, a transgressor is far away from having his supplications answered. A murderer is a transgressor, a tyrant is a transgressor, a thief is a transgressor – but how does one become a transgressor in his supplications? Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said, “Transgression in supplication occurs in different ways. A person becomes a transgressor in his supplications if he does one of the following: he asks Allah (Swt) to help him in something that is Haram (for example, he asks Allah (Swt) to help him steal); he asks for something that Allah (Swt) does not do, by asking, for instance, that he be made to live until the Day of Resurrection; he asks Allah (Swt)  to make him no longer require things that are necessary to human life, such as food and drink; he asks Allah (Swt) to grant him the ability to see matters from the unseen world; he asks Allah (Swt) to make him infallible; he asks Allah (Swt) to provide him with a child, but through means other than lawful sexual intercourse with his wife (or with what his right hand owns); or he asks for anything else that is deemed a transgression, that Allah (Swt) does not love, and that will result in Allah (Swt) not loving the suppliant who asks for that thing. Transgression in supplication is also interpreted to mean raising one’s voice as one is supplicating…” ‘

Abdullah Ibn Mughaffal (R.A) heard his son say, “0 Allah, for when I enter it (Paradise), I ask You for the White Castle that is to the right of Paradise.” ‘Abdullah said, “My son, ask Allah for Paradise, and take refuge with him from the Hellfire, for indeed, I heard the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) say, “Verily, there will be a people in this Nation who will transgress in [their] purification and supplication.” [Ahmad, 16359]

19) When One Is Supplicating, It Is Disliked For Him To Think Up An Invocation Of Rhyming Words

One should not be extravagant or affected when he invokes Allah (Swt) and concocting an invocation of rhyming words is a form of affectation. True, some of the Prophet’s supplications contain a sequence of phrases whose endings rhyme, but his supplications were free from all affectation, and when rhyming did occur, it was not intentional, but rather came from the eloquence of the Prophet (Pbuh) Ibn Hajr said, “This ruling is not overruled by what occurred in certain authentic Ahadeeth, for that (the Prophet’s supplication containing rhyming) occurred unintentionally…for example, speaking about Jihad, the Prophet (Pbuh) said, ‘Alldhummah Munizzalal-Kitaab, Sar’ee’ul-Hisaab, Haazimil-Ahzaab (0 Allah (Swt), Who has revealed the Book, Who is quick in reckoning, Who has defeated the (conspiring) parties. “[Fathul-Baaree, 11/143]

And Ibn ‘Abbaas (R.A) said to ‘Ikrimah, “Watch out for rhymed supplications and avoid them, for I know that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) and his Companions (R.A) would do exactly that (i.e., they would avoid rhymed supplications).” [Bukhaaree, 6337]

20) Asking Help For Sinning Or Breaking Off Ties Of Relation, Or Being Impatient For The Answer To One’s Supplications — These Actions Prevent One’s Supplications From Being Answered

The following prevent one’s supplications from being answered: One invokes Allah (Swt) to help him perform an unlawful act, one invokes Allah (Swt) to help him sever ties with his relatives, or one becomes impatient in waiting for his supplications to be answered. Abu Hurairah (R.A) related that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “A slave will continue to be answered (in his supplications], as long as he doesn’t invoke for a sin [to be carried out] or for breaking off ties of the womb (breaking off ties from relatives), and as long as he does not rush.”

It was said, “0 Messenger of Allah, and what is rushing?” He (Pbuh) said, “He (the slave of Allah) says, ‘I supplicated and I supplicated, but I did not see my [supplications] answered; at that point he becomes weary and forsakes supplication.” [Muslim, 2735]

Related Issue: Abu Sa’eed (R.A) reported that the Prophet (Pbuh) said, “No Muslim invokes with a supplication that doesn’t contain sin or the severing of ties with relatives, except that Allah gives him one of three things for it: either He will quicken [the answer] of his supplication, or He will save it for him in the Hereafter, or He will ward off from him an evil that is equal to it.” The Companions (R.A) said, “Then we will [invoke] even more.” He (Pbuh) said, “Allah [answers] more [than you invoke] (This is another possible meaning: What Allah (Swt) gives you from His favor and generosity and kindness is more than what He (Swt) gives you in return for your supplications. Scholars have mentioned other possible meanings as well).” [Ahmad, 10794]

Second Related Issue: The answer to one’s supplication might be delayed due to some wisdom that is hidden to him, but that Allah (Swt) knows. Every slave of Allah (Swt) should therefore realize that Allah’s choice for him is better than his choice for his own self. If one invokes his Lord, if one continues to persistently invoke Him, if one invokes with humility, and if one avoids those matters that prevent his supplications from being answered, then he should not become impatient when the answer to his supplication is delayed.

Even when a suppliant does all that is required of him for his supplication to be answered, he still might not get what he asked for. This does not mean that Allah (Swt) does not love him. Ibraaheem (A.S) asked for his father to be forgiven, and Nooh (A.S) asked for his son to be saved; yet the supplications of these two noble Messengers were not answered. Allah (Swt) willed for something else to happen, and because of a wisdom that He (Swt) knows, He (Swt) didn’t give them what they asked for. Allah (Swt) is the Creator of all creation; all of creation is under His dominion and control. That being the case, one should not become impatient or forsake invoking Allah (Swt); rather, he should continue and persist in his supplications, knowing that the act of supplication is worship, for which he will be rewarded.

21) Eating From Unlawfully Derived Wealth Prevents One’s Suppli¬cations From Being Answered

Abu Hurairah (R.A) related that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “0 people, verily Allah is Tayyib (Good, Pure), and He accepts only that which is Tayyib (good and pure). And Allah gave the believers the same command that He (Swt) ordered the Messengers with: “0 (you) Messengers! Eat of the Tayibaat [all kinds of Halal (legal) foods which Allah has made legal (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables, fruits, etc.], and do righteous deeds. Verily! I am Well-Acquainted with what you do.” (Qur’an 23:51)

And Allah said, “0 you who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism)! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with.” (Qur’an 2:172) The Prophet, then mentioned the man who was on a long journey, whose hair was disheveled, and who was dust-covered. That man extended his hands to the sky [and said], “0 my Lord, 0 my Lord,” but his food was Haram (unlawful), his drink was Haram, and his clothing was Haram: “So then how could his [supplications] have been answered.” [Ahmad, 8148]

“So then how could his supplications have been answered,” means, how could a person of that description hope for his supplications to be answered.

Consider his outward description: he had endured the hardship of a long journey; his hair was disheveled; his feet and body were dust-covered; and he raised his hands, asking of his Lord. A person of that description should be very hopeful of having his supplications answered. Yet the suppliant in question had an added element to his description, one that was not visibly perceivable on his person: he ate from Haram (unlawful) sources, and from the evil effects of eating from unlawful sources is being prevented from having one’s supplications answered.

22) Times, Places, And Situations Wherein One’s Supplications Are Most-Likely To Be Answered

a) During the last third of the night: Among the authentic narrations that prove this point, is the Hadeeth of Abu Hurairah (R.A) who related that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “Our Lord, Tabaaraka Wa-Ta’aalah (Blessed and Exalted is He!), descends every night to the lowest heaven, when the last third of the night remains. He says, ‘Who will invoke Me, so that I will answer him. Who will ask Me, so that I will give him. And who will ask forgiveness from me, so that I will forgive him.” [Muslim, 758]

b) While one is prostrating: Abu Hurairah (R.A) related that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “The closest a slave is to his Lord occurs when he is prostrating; so supplicate much [while you are prostrating]. [Muslim, 482]

A slave of Allah is closest to his Lord while he is prostrating perhaps because of the servitude, the submission, the humility, and the poverty that are all implied by the position of prostration, meanings that are not found to the same degree in any other position. A person who prostrates places his forehead on the same ground that people walk on, yet that does not bother him. In that position of humility and lowness, he verbally acknowledges the perfection of Allah (Swt) saying, “Subhaana Rabbiyal ‘Aalaa (How perfect Allah is, the Most-High!).” Being in such a position, the suppliant is the closest he becomes to his Lord, and is therefore likely to have his supplications answered. And Allah (Swt) knows best.

c) Between the Adhaan and the Iqaamah: Anas Ibn Maalik reported that the Prophet (Pbuh) said,

“Between the Adhaan and the Iqaamah, supplication is not rejected. ” [At-Tirmidhee, 212]

d) On Friday, during an hour wherein supplications are answered: Abu Hurairah (R.A) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) mentioned Friday and then said, “During it there is an hour – no Muslim is in harmony with it as he stands, praying and asking Allah, the Exalted, for something, except that He (Allah) gives it to him.”

The Prophet (Pbuh) then signaled with his hand, indicated how short that [special] period of time is. [Muslim, 852]

Related Issue: “An hour” does not necessarily mean ‘hour’ in the commonly used sense – sixty minutes. In fact, scholars greatly disagree about when exactly the aforementioned hour is; Ibn Hajr enumerated 42 different opinions. Two of those views stand out as being strongest and best supported by proofs. According to the first view, the hour begins when the Imam sits down (for the Friday sermon) until the time that the Friday (Jumu’ah) prayer ends. Abu Burdah, the son of Abu Moosa Al-Ash’aree (R.A) said, “‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (R.A) said to me, ‘Did you hear your father relate anything from the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) about the hour of Jumu’ah (Friday).’ I said, ‘Yes, I heard him say: I heard the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) say: “It is from when the Imam sits down until the prayer (i.e., the Jumu’ah prayer) ends.'” [Muslim, 853]

And according to the second view, it is the last hour of Friday (meaning, the hour before sunset on Friday; what follows sunset on Friday, according to the Islamic meaning, is referred to as the night of Saturday). Jaabir Ibn ‘Abdullah (R.A) related that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “The day of Friday is 12 – he (Pbuh) means one of those hours – and there is no Muslim who asks Allah (during that hour) ‘Azza Wa-Jall (The Possessor of Might and Majesty) for something, except that Allah ‘Azza Wa-Jall gives to him, so search out for it in the last hour after Al2Asr.” [Abu Daawood, 1048]

Ibn Al-Qayyim combined the two views when he said: “Both (both during the Jumu’ah prayer – from when the Imam sits until the prayer is over – and the last hour of the day) are hours wherein supplications are answered, even though the specified hour is the hour after ‘Asr, for it is a specific time during the day that does not vary. Conversely, the hour of the [Jumu’ah] prayer varies in its time, yet it too is an hour wherein supplications are answered. Muslims gather, pray, and beseech Allah (Swt) with humility, and all of that makes it more likely that their supplications will be answered. Hence, the different Ahadeeth are in harmony with one another; the Prophet (Pbuh) exhorted his Nation to supplicate and sincerely beseech Allah (Swt) during the aforesaid two hours.”

Ibn Hajr said, “This is similar to the saying of Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr: one should strive to supplicate during the said two times. And before him, Imam Ahmad said the same. This view is best because it combines the meanings [of different Ahadeeth, as opposed to ruling by one and disregarding the others]. Ibn Al-Muneer said, ‘It becomes known, then, that the benefit of not specifying the exact hour is so that people will pray and supplicate often [in the hope of finding that hour]. If the hour were specified, then people would rely on it and forsake supplicating at other times. With this understanding in mind, it is surprising to see people who want to know precisely when the hour is.”

e) When a fasting person breaks his fast: Abu Hurairah related that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “Three [people] do not have their supplications rejected: the fasting person until he breaks his fast…” [Ibn Maajah, 1752]

f) The supplication of a person who is wronged, of the traveler, and of a father against his son: Ibn ‘Abbaas (R.A) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said the following words to Mu’aadh Ibn Jabal (R.A) upon sending him to Yemen: “Verily, you are going to a people from the People of the Book. When you reach them, then invite them to bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah…”

And he (Pbuh) went on to say, “And protect yourself from the supplication of the wronged person, for indeed, there is no veil between him and Allah. ” [Muslim, 19]

And Abu Hurairah (R.A) related that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “Three supplications that are answered and about which there is no doubt (i.e., no doubt that they will be answered): the supplication of the person who is wronged, the supplication of the traveler, and the supplication of the father against his son.”

The person who wrongs others should desist from his wrong-doing, for there is no veil between Allah and the people he wronged; their supplications are quickly answered. The traveler should take advantage of his time by invoking Allah (Swt) for his supplications are answered. And parents should be careful not invoke Allah (Swt) against their children; a father’s supplication is answered, and in the heat of his anger, he may say words that he will later regret.

g) During battle and when the call to prayer is made: Sahl Ibn Sa’ad (R.A) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “Two [supplications] are not rejected or are rarely rejected: supplication at the time of the call [to prayer] and when the battle becomes intense, when they [the fighting armies] clash and fight intensely.” [Abu Daawood, 2540]

h) During times of affliction, or when one has a specific need, one may supplicate with the invocation of Dheen-Noon: Sa’ad Ibn Abee Waqqaas (R.A) related that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “This is the invocation of Dheen-Noon which he supplicated with when he was inside the belly of the whale: ‘None has the right to be worshipped but You (0 Allah); how perfect You are! Verily, I was from the wrongdoers.’ No Muslim man supplicates with it concerning anything except that Allah answers [his supplication] for him. “[At-Tirmidhee, 3505]

i) When it is raining: The following is related in a Hadeeth: “Seek to supplicate when armies meet, when the Iqaamah for prayer is made, and when it is raining.’ [Al-Umm, 2/223-224]

23) Situations Wherein One Can Reasonably Hope For His Supplica¬tions To Be Answered

a) The night of ‘Arafah, for those that are there at the Mawqif (those that are performing Hajj): The Prophet (Pbuh) legislated that, on the Day of ‘Arafah, pilgrims should combine the Dhuhr and ‘Asr prayer and perform them during the time for Dhuhr, so that each pilgrim can then free himself to supplicate to Allah (Swt). During Hajj and on the Day of ‘Arafah, when the Prophet (Pbuh) finished performing the two prayers, he went to Al-Mawqif, beneath the mountain. There he stopped, remained on his mount, and supplicated to his Lord, continuing to do so until the setting of the sun. [Saheeh Muslim, 1218] Allah (Swt) loves the throng of people that gather there to supplicate; in fact, He (Swt) displays them to the angels. The Day of ‘Arafah is a day wherein many people are freed from the Hellfire. ‘Aaisha (R.A) the Mother of the Believers, related (her father (R.A) related the same) that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “On no day does Allah (Swt) free more slaves from the Hellfire than on the Day of ‘Arafah. He (Swt) indeed draws near, displays them (the pilgrims) to the angels, and then says, ‘What do these want? “‘ [Muslim, 1348]

b) When one is at As-Safa and Al-Marwa: When the Prophet (Pbuh) came near As-Safa during the Farewell Pilgrimage, he (Pbuh) recited, “Verily! As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allah”,

after which he (Pbuh) said, “I begin with what Allah began with,”

and so he (Pbuh) began with As-Safa, climbing it until he saw the House (the Ka’bah). He (Pbuh) then faced the Qiblah, mentioned the phrase of Tawheed, and magnified Allah (Swt) And he (Pbuh) said, “None has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, aided His servant, and single-handedly defeated the allies.”

He (Pbuh) said the same three times; and during the interval between each time, he (Pbuh) supplicated. Next, he (Pbuh) descended and proceeded to Al-Marwah; he (Pbuh) did the same at Al-Marwah as he did (Pbuh) As-Safa. [Muslim, 1218]

c) During Hajj, After A Pilgrim Pelts The Smaller And Middle Jamarah: Saalim Ibn ‘Abdullah related that ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (R.A) would pelt the closest Jamarah with seven pebbles, making Takbeer (i.e., saying, ‘Allcihuakbar,’ Allah is the Greatest) after [the throwing of] each pebble. Then he would proceed, going to low ground, where he would stand, face the Qiblah, and remain standing for a long time. While standing, he would supplicate and raise his hands. Then he would pelt the middle Jamarah in the same manner, after which he would head to his left, to low ground, where he would stand for a long time, facing the Qiblah, supplicating, and raising his hands. Then he would pelt the Dhaat Al¬’Aqabah Jamarah from the inside of the valley, and he would not stand afterwards. [Explaining these actions,] he (R.A) said, “This is what I saw the Messenger of Allah do.” [Ahmad, 6368]

This work was completed on Monday night, the 27th of Rabee’ul-Awwal, 1420 years after the blessed Hijrah (Migration) of the Prophet (Pbuh) praise is to Allah, and it is by His Grace and Kindness [that good deeds are performed].