Power of Dua

How to Make Dua’

Once, a ten-year-old boy was praying feverishly in prostration, “O Allah, the Most Merciful, the Magnificent, Make Faisalabad (a small city of Pakistan) the capital of Pakistan…”

 His mother overheard him and asked, “Why would you pray so, my son?” The boy answered, “Well, Mama, we had a question on our final exam which asked, 'What is the capital of Pakistan?' and I mistakenly put 'Faisalabad' as my answer!"

Although we can laugh at the innocence of a child, his trust in his supplication to Allah (swt) and his belief that his prayer will be heard is admirable; as a matter of fact, it is ideal. We also should have that kind of trust, that Allah can do anything, and that if only turn to Him our pain will be soothed and our problems given solutions.

Allah (swt) states in the Quran (Umm Muhammad translation):

And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:186)

The method and art of making dua:

Making dua in the court of Allah the Exalted is an art and has an etiquette which if considered, can result in the opening of many doors of Allah’s bliss and bounties. Some of the factors that help are listed below:

Praise Allah (swt) and call Him by His beautiful names and attributes before setting out to ask Him for favors. Indeed Allah is praiseworthy and never tires of hearing and fulfilling duas of all of His creatures. Allah (swt) states in the Quran:

Say: Call upon Allah or call upon, the Beneficent Allah; whichever you call upon, He has the best names; and do not utter your prayer with a very raised voice nor be silent with regard to it, and seek a way between these.