This is a question that many people ask. The answer is that supplication (Dua) is the expression of one’s desires, tears, and humble pleas before the Lord. The Almighty does not require eloquence, rhetoric, or a loud voice from you. Rather, what He seeks is sincerity, attentiveness, weeping, and heartfelt pleading.
It is narrated that a person once asked a sheikh: “O Sheikh! How can a supplication be accepted? How should we pray, and what should we say? Show us the correct and proper way!”
The sheikh replied: “Pray in a simple and heartfelt manner and say to your Lord: ‘O Lord! We have no one but You.’ Then He will accept and answer you.”
Allah, the Almighty, does not require eloquence or a loud voice in supplication. What holds value in His presence is a pure heart, sincerity, a truthful gaze, humility, and inner closeness to Him. As He Himself has said: «ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ» Translation: “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.”
Conditions for the Acceptance of Supplication:
Dear fasting believers, supplication has certain conditions that must be observed for it to be accepted by Allah:
A) Firm belief that only Allah has the power to answer prayers.
B) Directing supplications solely to Allah, as invoking anyone other than Him is considered shirk (associating partners with Allah).
C) Seeking means of approach to Allah through legitimate ways, such as invoking His beautiful names, His attributes, righteous deeds, or requesting a pious living person to pray for you.
D) Avoiding impatience in expecting the prayer to be answered.
E) Making positive supplications and having good expectations of Allah.
F) Being fully present and attentive during supplication.
G) Consuming only halal sustenance and refraining from oppression and unlawful earnings.
H) Avoiding improper or undesirable supplications.
These are some of the essential conditions for the acceptance of supplication.
Etiquettes of Supplication:
There are certain etiquettes of supplication that enhance its acceptance. These include:
1. Praising and glorifying Allah before making a supplication.
2. Sending salutations upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
3. Acknowledging one’s sins before supplicating.
4. Praying with humility, submission, and sincerity.
5. Making supplication with a pure intention and full concentration.
6. Facing the Qibla while supplicating, if possible.
7. Raising one’s hands towards the sky during supplication.
8. Performing miswak (tooth cleaning) and ablution before supplicating.
9. Mentioning a suitable name or attribute of Allah while calling upon Him, such as saying: “Ya Rahman, have mercy on me” or “By Your mercy, I seek help.”
10. Avoiding artificiality and forced expressions in supplication.
11. Making supplication with urgency and earnestness.
12. Repeating the supplication three times.
By observing these etiquettes, one can hope for their supplication to be accepted by Allah.
