Usman Rabiu
The Importance of Dua’
The Power and Essence of Duʿā’ (Supplication)
Delivered By: Mr. Usman Rabiu
Opening
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. Al-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalá Rasūlillāh – may salutations and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. I bear witness that none is worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and final messenger.
Dear believers, I again remind myself and all of you to fear Allah and be steadfast upon His deen.
Duʿā’ is the Essence of Worship
In this second part of the khutbah, I want to talk about a crucial act of worship that is especially powerful in these days before Ramadan: Duʿā’, calling upon Allah. Duʿā’ is the essence of ʿibādah. Our beloved Prophet ﷺ said:
“Supplication (duʿā’) is itself worship.”
In another narration, after saying “Duʿā’ is worship,” the Prophet ﷺ recited the verse:
“And your Lord says: Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell utterly humbled.”
— Surah Ghāfir (40:60)
Allāhu akbar – Allah commands us to call on Him, and guarantees a response. If we ever needed encouragement to make duʿā’, here it is! To neglect duʿā’ is not only foolish – it is a kind of pride and arrogance, as Allah says in this verse. Those who are too arrogant to supplicate will be among the losers. In contrast, those who humbly and persistently invoke Allah for their needs, Allah loves them and will answer in the best way.
Especially as Ramadan approaches, dear Muslims, now is the time to engage in duʿā’ with vigor. We are seeking Allah’s help to reach Ramadan and excel in it. We are seeking forgiveness for our sins, seeking strength to fast and pray, seeking guidance, mercy, and salvation from Hellfire. All of these goals require duʿā’.
Ramadan itself is “the month of duʿā'” – in the Qur’an, right after commanding fasting, Allah says “When My servants ask you about Me, I am indeed near; I respond to the supplicant’s prayer when he calls upon Me” (Al-Baqarah 2:186). So we must begin the habit of heartfelt duʿā’ now, in Shaʿbān, and carry it through Ramadan.
Examples from the Prophets
To inspire us further, Allah ﷻ has given us beautiful examples of duʿā’ in the Qur’an – especially the duʿās of the Prophets. These show us how to call upon Allah with humility, desperation, and hope. Let us reflect on a few notable examples:
Ayyūb was tested with immense suffering: loss of health, wealth, and family. After years of patience, he finally cried out to Allah in a humble, heartfelt duʿā’. The Qur’an says:
“And (remember) Job, when he cried out to his Lord, ‘Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.'” — Qur’an 21:83
In this short duʿā’, Ayyūb did not even explicitly ask for anything; he simply described his pain and glorified Allah’s mercy. This adab (etiquette) of duʿā’ is a lesson for us. And how did Allah respond?
“So We answered his prayer and removed his adversity, and We restored his family to him, and the like thereof along with them – as a mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers.”
Yūnus found himself in a situation we can hardly fathom: swallowed alive by a whale, enveloped by layers of darkness. In that desperate moment, utterly helpless, Yūnus turned to Allah with one of the most powerful duʿās ever uttered:
“And he cried out in the darknesses, ‘There is no deity except You; Glory be to You! Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.'” — Qur’an 21:87
This duʿā’ of Yūnus (known as Ayat al-Karīm) is extraordinary. In it, Yūnus affirms tawḥīd (“No god but You”), declares Allah’s perfection (“Subḥānaka”), and admits his own sin (“I was among the wrongdoers”). This comprehensive repentance and praise made his duʿā’ instantly effective.
Allah immediately answered: “So We answered him and rescued him from distress. And thus do We save the believers.”
Brothers and sisters, note well: Allah says “Thus do We save the believers.” The miraculous rescue of Yūnus is not just a story of the past – it is a promise for all believers who call upon Allah with sincerity. No matter how deep a darkness you may find yourself in, if you call on Allah with the duʿā’ of Yūnus, full of faith and repentance, Allah will deliver you.
Zakariyyā was an elderly prophet who had no children and whose wife was barren. Despite his advanced age, his heart burned with a duʿā’ for a righteous child. He never lost hope in Allah’s power:
“And (remember) Zakariyyā, when he cried out to his Lord, ‘O my Lord, do not leave me childless (alone), though You are the Best of inheritors.'” — Qur’an 21:89
He appealed to Allah’s bounty (“You are the Best of inheritors”). How did Allah respond?
“So We answered his prayer, and We granted him Yahyā (John), and made his wife fit to bear a child. Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were humble before Us.”
Allahu Akbar – from a barren elderly couple, Allah brought forth Yahyā, a noble prophet. The mention that “they used to hasten in good deeds and call upon Us with hope and fear” teaches us: Zakariyyā and his wife combined righteous action with heartfelt duʿā’. We should do the same.
Lessons from These Examples
Dear brothers and sisters, these examples illuminate for us the proper approach to duʿā’: with absolute trust, patience, persistence, humility, and certainty in Allah’s power. None of these prophets doubted Allah’s ability to help them – even though to a human mind, their situations would seem hopeless. But nothing is impossible for Allah.
So never say, “It’s too late” or “my problem is too big”. Rather, turn to Allah with your burden – tonight, and every night. Shed tears before Him and beg for His grace. As we near Ramadan, now is the ideal time to make a lot of duʿā’ for everything we need: Guidance, forgiveness, strong faith, success in dunya and ākhirah, protection from trials, Paradise, etc.
Special Times for Duʿā’
Remember the special times and conditions where duʿā’ is accepted:
- At the time of Ifṭār: The duʿā’ of a fasting person when breaking fast is not rejected
- Last third of the night: When Allah descends and calls, “Is there anyone calling on Me, that I may answer?”
- Between adhān and iqāmah: A time when duʿās are accepted
- In sujūd: You are closest to your Lord, so make plentiful duʿā’ in that state
- On Jumuʿah: There is an hour when whatever the believer asks is granted (many say it’s the last hour before Maghrib)
- In times of hardship: When you call upon Allah with sincerity and need
Most importantly, when you make duʿā’, do so with an attentive heart and firm faith that Allah will respond in the best way. The Prophet ﷺ said:
So focus your heart, and be confident that Allah hears you. The answer may come in a form you don’t expect – sometimes Allah gives you what you need rather than exactly what you asked for. But every sincere duʿā’ of the believer is answered in one of three ways:
1. Allah gives what you asked immediately
2. He stores it for you as a reward in the Hereafter
3. He diverts an equivalent harm away from you
In all cases, you win. No duʿā’ is ever wasted!
Make Duʿā’ for Others
Finally, let us not forget to make duʿā’ for others in our Ummah – as the Prophet ﷺ said, the duʿā’ of a Muslim for his brother or sister in their absence is answered, and an angel says “Āmīn, and for you as well.”
So pray for our suffering brothers and sisters around the world – those facing oppression, poverty, war, illness. Pray for the guidance of humanity, for peace and justice, for our communities and our children to be safe and on the straight path. These prayers benefit us and them, and bring us together in compassion.
O Allah, teach us to truly turn to You in duʿā’. Make us among those who remember You constantly and call upon You in hope and fear. O Allah, accept all of our supplications, forgive our sins, and shower Your mercy upon us.
Ṣalāh upon the Prophet ﷺ
As we conclude this khutbah, we follow the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ in sending ṣalāh and salām upon him. Allah Himself commands in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet; O you who believe, send your blessings and peace upon him as well.”
— Surah Al-Aḥzāb (33:56)
O Allah, send Your peace, blessings and grace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions.
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