Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentioned, “When any one of you wishes to supplicate before Allah Ta‘ala in dua, then he should begin by glorifying Allah Ta‘ala and praising Him with praises that befit His majesty and honour. Thereafter, he should recite durood upon Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), after which he should beg Allah Ta‘ala and ask whatever he wishes. Certainly (by adhering to the etiquettes of dua) in this way, it is hoped that one will be successful (in getting his dua answered).” [2]
2. When making dua, raise your hands parallel to your chest (i.e. in line with your chest). [3]
Hazrat Salmaan Faarsi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Certainly Allah Ta‘ala is the most honourable and most kind and generous. His honour is such that He feels it against His greatness and mercy to let the one who raises his hands in dua to Him to go empty-handed.” [4]
3. When raising your hands in dua, your palms should face upwards, towards the sky.[5]
Hazrat Maalik bin Yasaar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “When making dua to Allah Ta‘ala, then beg Him with your palms facing upwards (i.e. towards the sky). Do not face your palms downwards (i.e. towards the ground).” [6]
4. Keep a slight gap between the palms. [7]
5. When making dua, express your total inability, helplessness and weakness, and beg Allah Ta‘ala in a soft tone with complete humility.
وَ اذۡکُرۡ رَّبَّکَ فِیۡ نَفۡسِکَ تَضَرُّعًا وَّ خِیۡفَۃً وَّ دُوۡنَ الۡجَہۡرِ مِنَ الۡقَوۡلِ بِالۡغُدُوِّ وَ الۡاٰصَالِ وَ لَا تَکُنۡ مِّننَ الۡغٰفِلِیۡنَ ﴿۲۰۵﴾
And call upon your Rabb within yourself in humility and in fear without raising one’s voice in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless. [8]
6. When making dua, do not adopt an approach of uncertainty. For example, do not say, “O Allah, if You wish to fulfil my need, then You may fulfil it.”
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “(When making dua,) one should not say ‘O Allah, forgive me if You wish, have mercy on me if You wish, provide me with sustenance if You wish.’ Rather, he should beg of Allah’s Ta‘ala mercy with confidence (that Allah Ta‘ala will fulfil his needs. One should not ask Allah Ta‘ala to grant one His favour if He pleases,) because Allah Ta‘ala does as He pleases, none can force and compel Him (to do anything).” [9]
7. Have complete hope in the mercy of Allah Ta‘ala while making dua. Make dua with conviction that your dua will be answered.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Supplicate to Allah Ta‘ala with conviction and certainty of your dua being answered, and remember that Allah Ta‘ala does not answer the dua made from a heart that is inattentive and unmindful.” [10]
8. Your heart and hopes should be turned towards Allah Ta‘ala alone. Do not place your hope on anything besides Allah Ta‘ala. Do not think that through a certain person or a certain thing, your need will be fulfilled. [11]
9. While making dua, your heart should be fully focused and attentive towards Allah Ta‘ala. Your heart should not be negligent and unmindful while making dua. You should not look around at people while making dua.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Supplicate to Allah Ta‘ala with conviction and certainty of your dua being answered, and remember that Allah Ta‘ala does not answer the dua made from a heart that is unmindful and heedless.” [12]
10. Ask Allah Ta‘ala for all your needs, whether big or small.
Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Each of you should turn to his Rabb, Allah Ta‘ala for his need or for all his needs (the narrator expressed a doubt whether the word of the Hadith was ‘for his need’ or ‘for all his needs’), to such an extent that he should also ask and beg Allah Ta‘ala for the strap of his sandal when it breaks, or even beg Him for salt (when he is in need of salt).” [13]
11. Do not only make dua when you are faced with difficulties. Rather, make dua at all times, whether in adversity or prosperity.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who wishes that Allah Ta‘ala answers his duas during times of difficulty and hardship should make abundant dua in times of ease and comfort.” [14]
[1] سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 3476، وقال: هذا حديث حسن وقد رواه حيوة بن شريح عن أبي هانئ الخولاني
[2] المعجم الكبير للطبراني، الرقم: 8780، وقال العلامة الهيثمي رحمه الله في مجمع الزوائد 155/10: ورجاله رجال الصحيح إلا أن أبا عبيدة لم يسمع من أبيه
[3] والمستحب أن يرفع يديه عند الدعاء بحذاء صدره كذا في القنية (الفتاوى الهندية 5/318)
[4] سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 3556، وقال: هذا حديث حسن غريب
[5] في دعاء الرغبة يجعل بطون كفيه نحو السماء (الفتاوى الهندية 5/318)
[6] سنن أبي داود، الرقم: 1488، وقال العلامة المنذري رحمه الله في مختصره 430/1: قال أبو داود: قال سليمان بن عبد الحميد شيخ أبي داود: له عندنا صحبة يعني مالك بن يسار وفي نسخة: ما له عندنا صحبة وقال أبو القاسم البغوي: ولا أعلم بهذا الإسناد غير هذا الحديث ولا أدري لمالك بن يسار صحبة أم لا هذا آخر كلامه وفي إسناده: إسماعيل بن عياش وقد تكلم فيه غير واحد وصحح بعضهم روايته عن الشاميين وفي إسناده أيضا ضمضم بن زرعة الحضرمي وهو شامي وثقه يحيى بن معين وضعفه غيره
[7] والأفضل في الدعاء أن يبسط كفيه ويكون بينهما فرجة (الفتاوى الهندية 5/318)
[8] سورة الأعراف: 205
[9] صحيح البخاري، الرقم: 7477
[10] سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 3479، وقال: هذا حديث غريب لا نعرفه إلا من هذا الوجه سمعت عباسا العنبري يقول: اكتبوا عن عبد الله بن معاوية الجمحي فإنه ثقة
[11] عن عبد الله بن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال: كنت خلف النبي صلّى الله عليه وسلّم فقال: يا غلام إني أعلّمك كلمات: احفظ الله يحفظك احفظ الله تجده تجاهك إذا سألت فاسأل الله وإذا استعنت فاستعن بالله واعلم أنَّ الأمة لو اجتمعت على أن ينفعوك بشيء لم ينفعوكَ إلا بشيء قد كتبه الله لك وإن اجتمعوا على أن يضروك بشيء لم يضروك إلا بشيء قد كتبه الله عليك رفعت الأقلام وجفت الصحف (سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 2516، وقال: هذا حديث حسن صحيح)
[12] سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 3479، وقال: هذا حديث غريب لا نعرفه إلا من هذا الوجه سمعت عباسا العنبري يقول: اكتبوا عن عبد الله بن معاوية الجمحي فإنه ثقة
[13] سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 481، مسند البزار، الرقم: 6876، وقال العلامة الهيثمي رحمه الله في مجمع الزوائد، الرقم:17221: ورجاله رجال الصحيح غير سيار بن حاتم وهو ثقة
[14] سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 3382، وقال: هذا حديث غريب