TAKEN FROM: http://www.masjidma.com/2012/03/17/dua-and-despair-prayer-and-supplication/ Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; “Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?.”‘ When people are sleeping and busy with worldly pleasures Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) gives the believers an opportunity, or an answer hour if they can fight sleep and invoke Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) for whatever they need. Anas (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama is not rejected.’ Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) talked about Friday and said: Jaber (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Zamzam water is for what it is drunk for.’ Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), said: Narrated Ubada Bin As-Samit that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Whomever wakes up at night and says La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shrika lahu lahulmulku, wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ala kulli shai’in qadir. Alhamdu lillahi, wa subhanallahi wa la ilaha illallahu, wallah akbir, wa la hawla wala quwata illa billah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) He is the only one who has no partners. His is the kingdom and all the praises are for Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) All the glories are for Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) is the most Great and there is neither might nor power except with Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and then says, Allahumma ighfir li (O Allah! Forgive me) or invokes Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), Narrated Abu Omamah (radiAllahu anhu): that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was asked, O Messenger of Allah, which supplication is heard (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), he said the end of the night and at the end of the obligatory Salat (prayer) This night is the greatest night of the year. This is the night which the almighty Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) said about it, “The night of Al-Qadar (Decree) is better than a thousand months.” Narrated Sahel Ibn Sa’ad (radiAllahu anhu): that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Two will not be rejected, Supplication when the Adhan (call of prayer) is being called, and at the time of the rain’. ‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’ The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said to Mua’ad Ibn Jabal (radiAllahu anhu), ‘Beware of the supplication of the unjustly treated, because there is no shelter or veil between it (the supplication of the one who is suffering injustice) and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)’ The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. Narrated Faddalah ibn Ubayd (radiAllahu anhu): that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘The best supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafat’. Ramadan is month full of many blessings, thus the du’a of Ramadan is a blessed one. This can be inferred from the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) saying: When the Muslim is facing the enemy in battle, at this critical period, the du’a of a worshipper is accepted. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: Abu Umamah (radiAllahu anhu) said, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was questioned; ‘Which du’a is heard (by Allah)?’ He answered, In a long hadith, Umm Salamah (radiAllahu anha) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, when Abu Salamah had just passed away, and had closed his eyes, The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared, The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared, It is well known in the story narrated in hadith os three men who were trapped by a huge stone in a cave. One of them who was kind to kis parents asked Allah to remove the stone, and his du’a was answered. Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: The stoning of the small Shaitan (jamrat sugra), or the middle Shaitan (jamrat wusta) pillars during Hajj. Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: The Ka’bah is a sanctuary that has no comparison in the entire world. The du’a of one who prays inside the hijr is considered as being made inside the ka’bah, as it is part of the house (Baitullah). [This is the semicircle to the right of the Ka’bah if you face the door, opposite to the Yemeni corner and the Black stone wall.] It is narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) would make long du’as at Safa and Marwah. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said that Allah the Exalted had said: After finishing the recitation of al-Fatihah, the saying of’Ameen’ in congregation. Umm Salamah narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
“Is He
Allah has also promised that as long as we are not hasty, He will answer our du`a’. The Prophet Muhammad ?said “The du`a’ of any worshiper will continue to be responded to as long as he does not ask for a sin or breaking the ties of kinship, and as long as he is not hasty.” He was then asked what being hasty meant, and he replied, “A worshipper says ‘I have prayed and prayed, and I don’t see that it will be accepted,’ so he gives up hope of being answered and leaves du`a’.’”
I know that sometimes this is extremely hard. We really want to have our needs answered at the minute that we ask for something because we think that this will be best for us, but Allah knows the reality of it. He knows not only what is best for us but also when it is best for us. Ibn Al Qayyim said something that really touches my heart, and I constantly remember it when I myself am going through distressing times. Regarding someone who gives up hope in having their du`a’ answered, he said, “His example is like that of a person who planted a seed, then guarded it, and took care of it, and watered it, but when it delayed in (giving its fruit) and reaching perfection, he left it and did not take care of it anymore!” We just need to stick by our seed and wait for it to bloom.
As for recommended times to make du`a’, alhamdu lil Lah (praise be to Allah) Allah has blessed us and given us numerous opportunities throughout the day to make du`a’ and have it be more likely to be accepted; we just need to take advantage of those times. As you mentioned, one of these times is during the last third of the night. During this time, Allah Himself comes down to His servant and opens for us the doors of mercy and forgiveness. The Prophet ? said, “The closest any worshipper can be to his Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can be amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.” Another time is when the adhaan (call to prayer) has been given. The Prophet ? said, “When the prayer is called, the doors of the skies are opened, and the du`a’ is answered.” Alhamdu lil Lah Allah has blessed us with that opportunity five times a day! In addition to that, the du`a’ between the adhaan and theiqaamah (call to stand for prayer) is also looked upon highly. The Prophet ? said, “The du`a’ between the adhaan and the iqaamah is not refused, therefore offer your du`a’ (at this time).”
Another great time to make du`a’ is during salah (prayer). We are closest to Allah during sujood (prostration), when we have our foreheads on the ground in humility. This is the position that is most beloved to Allah, and the Prophet ? said, “The closest any worshipper can be to his Lord is while he is in prostration, so increase your du`a’ in it.” While in salah, after a person has finished their tashahhud (portion of the prayer in which you kneel in the 2nd and last units of prayer) and before he says tasleem (salutation at the end of prayer) to end his salah, he can also make du`a’ at this point for anything he wishes , as this is one of the times of response as well. Du`a’ after salah is also known to be one that is most likely to be accepted . The Prophet ?was asked, “Which du`a’ is the most likely to be responded to?” He responded, “In the last part of the night, and after the obligatory prayers.” One of my favorite times to make du`a’ is actually when it starts to rain. The rain is a mercy of Allah, and the Prophet ? said, “Two are the du`a’ that are never returned: the du`a’ made when the prayer is being called, and at the time of rainfall.”
Lastly sister, if your du`a’ is not being answered, I am positive that there is wisdom behind this. There are a few reasons that one might not have their du`a’ answered immediately. We have to realize that Allah is al-Hakim (the Most Wise). Often times we may desire something that is not the best for us, thus, when we don’t see results, we think that Allah is not responding to our du`a’ whereas He is actually saving us from a calamity. Additionally, there may be other wisdoms for the delay in this response for reasons that we may not know.
Sometimes when our hearts are deeply attached to something, we cannot see any reason why we shouldn’t have that thing—yet in reality it is not what is best for us. Allah says in the Qur’an,
“But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.” (2:216)
To not have a du`a’ answered could, in fact, be one of the biggest blessings. Allah will give us that which we need, not simply that which we want. For example, say a sister really wants to marry a brother, and she makes du`a’ for this. Allah knows that in reality, this brother would make her life miserable, He may protect her from this hardship by not willing that the two get married. Hence, although her du`a’ was not answered in the way she wanted, Allah gave her a bigger blessing by saving her from something which would not be good for her. It was said that If we had perfect power like Allah to determine our destinies, and perfect vision like Allah to see the future and know what is best for us, we would chose exactly the same fate that Allah has chosen for us. A saying that beautifies this point further is:
He has not denied you, except to give you.
Another thing is that the du`a’ may have in fact been responded to, and we just don’t realize it. The acceptance of the du`a’ may be in a manner that is not obviously apparent. It is also possible that Allah will give us the reward of this du`a’ on the Day of judgment, and this reward will be more beloved to us on that Day than anything that could have been given to us in this life. It is also possible that Allah blesses us with something else that we did not ask for, but is better for us. And lastly, Allah may avert an evil that was destined for us because of the du`a’ that we made.
Whatever you do sister, do not lose hope. Sufyaan ibn Uyaynah said something that will forever be etched in my heart, and I hope that it can help you as well. He said, “Let none of you think that his du`a’ will not be answered because of (the sins) that he knows of himself. Indeed, Allah responded to the du`a’ of the worst of the creation, Iblis (the devil), may Allah curse him, when he said:
“He said, ‘My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected.’ [Allah] said, ‘So indeed, you are of those reprieved.’” [Qur’an, 15:36-37]
If Iblis’ du`a’ can be answered, surely the du`a’ of a sinner has more precedence than his!
There are certain times dua (supplication) is more likely to be accepted by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) as mentioned by Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam). These times are as follows:
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]
Amr ibn Absah narrated that the Prophet said: ‘The closest any worshipper can be to His Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can be amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.’
[at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa’i, al-Hakim – Sahih]
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘There is at night an hour, no Muslim happens to be asking Allah any matter of this world or the Hereafter, except that he will be given it, and this (occurs) every night.’
[Muslim #757]
[Ahmad, abu Dawud #521, at-Tirmidhi #212, Sahih al-Jami #3408, an-Nasai and Ibn Hibban graded it sahih (sound)]
‘There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) and asks something from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), then Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) will definitely meet his demand.’ And he (the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands.
[Sahih al-Bukhari]
Some have said that this hour is from the time the Imam (prayer’s leader) enters the mosque on Friday’s prayer until the prayer is over (ie between the two khutbahs), whereas others have said that it is the last hour of the day (ie after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib prayer).
(Note: when we say an hour here we do not mean the hour everyone knows (60 minutes) but an unspecified period of time because the time counters which we use today came after the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) had died.
[Ahmad 3: 357 and Ibn Majah #3062]
This means that when you drink Zamzam water you may ask Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) for anything you like to gain or benefit from this water such as healing from illness…. etc.
‘The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) much in it.
[Muslim, abu Dawud, an-Nasa’i and others, Sahih al-Jami #1175]
When a Muslim is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and when he prostrates he is the nearest he can be to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) so it is best to invoke Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) at this time.
It is said that while in prostration, one should not ask for worldy needs (ie a nice car, a new job, etc), but for the Hereafter.
he will be responded to and if he makes ablution and performs Salat (prayer), his Salat (prayer) will be accepted.
[Sahih al-Bukhari]
[at-Tirmidhi]
This time is after saying ‘At-tahyat’ , and before making Tasleem (finishing prayer)
[Surah al-Qadr, 97: 3]
The Night of Decree is one of the odd nights of the last ten nights of the blessed month of Ramadan. The angels descend down to the earth, and the earth is overwhelmed with peace and serenity until the break of dawn and when he doors of Paradise are opened, the worshipper is encouraged to turn to Allah to ask for his needs for this world and the Hereafter.
[Al-Hakim 2: 114, and Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah]
‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’
[reported by Imam al-Shafi’ in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]
The time of the rain is a time of mercy from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) so, one should take advantage of this time when Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) is having mercy on His slaves.
[reported by Imam al-Shafi’ in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]
In another hadith; ‘When the prayer is called, the doors of the skies are opened, and the du’a is answered’
[al-Tayalisi in his Musnad #2106, al-Sahihah #1413]
[Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared,
‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.’
[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi – Hasan]
In another hadith; The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared:
‘Three du’as are surely answered: The du’a of the oppressed, the du’a of the traveler, and the du’a of the father/mother (upon their child)’
The One who is suffering injustice is heard by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) when he invokes Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) to retain his rights from the unjust one or oppressor. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) has sworn to help the one who is suffering from injustice sooner or later as the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said.
[al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi – Sahih]
During travel supplication is heard by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) if the trip is for a good reason, but if the trip is for a bad intention or to perform illegal things (making sins) this will not apply to it.
[al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi – Sahih]
‘When anyone of you makes du’a, let him start by glorifying his Lord and praising Him, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), then let him pray for whatever he wants’
[abu Dawud #1481, at-Tirmidhi #3477]
In another hadith; Baqiy ibn Mukhallid (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
‘Every du’a is not responded to until one sends blessings upon the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)’
[al-Bayhaqi]
In another hadith; Umar (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
‘Du’a is detained between the heavens and the earth and no part of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)’
[at-Tirmidhi #486]
After a person has finished his tashahhud and before saying the ’salam’, supplication at this time is one likely to be responded to.
Ibn Mas’ud narrates: I was once praying, and the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), Abu Bakr and Umar (were all present). When I sat down (in the final tashahhud), I praised Allah, then sent salams on the Prophet, then started praying for myself. At this, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
‘Ask, and you shall be given it! Ask, and you shall be given it!’
[at-Tirmidhi #593 – hasan, Mishkat al-Misbah #931]
‘There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother in his absence where the angels do not say, ‘the same be for you”
[Muslim]
[at-Tirmidhi and Malik]
The day of Arafat is the essence and pinnacle of Hajj. On this great and momentous day, millions of worshippers gather together on one plain, from every corner of the world, with only one purpose in mind – to respone to the call of their Creator. During this auspicious day, Allah does not refuse the requests of His worshippers.
‘When Ramadan comes, the Doors of Mercy (another narration says Paradise) are opened, and the doors of Hell are closed, and the Sahitans are locked up’
Thus, it is clear that du’a during Ramadan has a greater chance of being accepted, as the Gates of Paradise and Mercy are opened.
[Sahih al-Bukhari #1899, Muslim #1079 and others]
Sahl ibn Sa’d (radiAllahu anhu) narrtaed the the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
‘Two duas are never rejected, or rarely rejected: the du’a during the call for prayer, and the du’a during the clamity when the two armies attack each other’
[abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah, al-Hakim]
In another narration: ‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’
[reported by Imam al-Shafi’ in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]
If a group of people sit together remembering Allah, the angels will circle them, mercy will shroud them, peace will descend onto them and Allah will remember them among those with Him.
[Muslim]
‘There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than during these ten days’
[Sahih al-Bukhai #969 and others]
‘At midnight and at the end of every obligatory prayer.’
[at-Tirmidhi – Hasan]
‘Do not ask for yourselves anything but good, for the angels will say ‘Ameen’ to all that you ask for. O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah, and raise his ranks among those who are guided.’
[Muslim, abu Dawud, Ahmad]
[al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi – Sahih]
‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: when a fasting person breaks fast (in another narration, the fasting person until he breaks his fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.’
[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi – Hasan]
‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.’
[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi – Hasan]
[Sahih al-Bukhari 3:36 #472]
‘There is not one of you that makes wudu, and does it perfectly, then says: I testify that there is no diety worthy of worship except Allah. he is Alone, having no partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger’, except that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him, and he can enter into it through whichever one he pleases’
[Muslim #234, abu Dawud #162, Ahmad, an-Nasa’i]
Saying what has been mentioned in the hadith that is directly related to it (ablution)
It is narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) would stone the small Jamarah (one of the three pillars that is stoned in the last days of Hajj), then face the qiblah, raise his hands, and make du’a for a long time. He would then stone the middle Jamarah and do the same. When he stoned the large Jamarah, he would depart without making any du’a.
[Sahih al-Bukhari #1753 and others]
‘When you hear a rooster crowing, then ask Allah for His bounties, for it has seen an angel, and when you hear a donkey braying, then seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan, for it has seen a Shaitan’
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, Sahih al-Jami #611]
Usamah ibn Zayd narrated, ‘When the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) entered the House (Ka’bah), he made du’a in all of its corners
[Muslim 2: 968 and others]
[Muslim #1218 and others]
‘ I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My servant has lauded Me. When he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of Judgment, He remarks: My servant has glorified Me, and sometimes He will say: My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me. When he (the worshipper) says: Thee do we worship and of Thee do we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshipper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious — not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.
[Muslim 4: 395]
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘When the Imam says ‘Ameen’, then recite it behind him (as well), because whoever’s Ameen coincides with the Ameen of the angels will have all of his sins forgiven.’
[Sahih al-Bukhari #780, Muslim #410 and others]
‘When you visit the sick, or the dead then say good, because the angels say ‘Ameen’ to whatever you say
[Muslim #2126]
Ali (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
‘When a Muslim visits his sick Muslim brother in the morning, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the evening. And when he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the morning, and he will be granted a garden for it in Jannah.’
[at-Tirmidhi, abu Dawud]
TAKEN FROM:
http://www.masjidma.com/2012/03/17/dua-and-despair-prayer-and-supplication/
Du`a’ of Despair (Prayer and Supplication)
[not best] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him and removes evil and makes you inheritors of the earth?” (Qur’an 27:62)
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