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How to Make Dua According to Sunnah: Lessons from Prophet's ﷺ Supplications

 Supplication and Seeking Help from Allah in Light of Authentic Prophetic Hadiths


Introduction

Supplication (Du'a) is one of the greatest acts of worship through which a servant draws closer to their Lord. It is the essence and soul of worship, as mentioned in the authentic Prophetic traditions. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged making supplications and turning to Allah in all circumstances, highlighting its virtue and importance in a Muslim’s life. Among the greatest forms of supplication is seeking help (Istighatha) from Allah, a profound act of worship that combines acknowledging human weakness and complete reliance on the Almighty.  

In this article, we will explore the concept of supplication and seeking help from Allah through authentic Prophetic hadiths, drawing from the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ and his noble Companions on how they turned to Allah in times of ease and hardship, and how a Muslim balances taking practical means with trust in Allah.  

Chapter One: The Concept of Supplication and Seeking Help in Islam 


1. The Definition of Supplication Linguistically and Terminologically

- **Linguistically**: Supplication (Du'a) means calling upon or requesting.  

- **Terminologically**: It is the act of a servant humbly asking their Lord, acknowledging their need for Him.  


2. Seeking Help from Allah and Its Importance  

Seeking help (Istighatha) is asking Allah for assistance in all matters, closely tied to trust (Tawakkul) and faith in Allah’s power alone. Allah says:  

**{You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.}** (Quran 1:5)  

3. The Difference Between Supplication and Seeking Help 

- **Supplication (Du'a)**: More general—it can be a request for good or protection from harm.  

- **Seeking Help (Istighatha)**: A specific type of supplication—requesting aid in achieving something or overcoming difficulty.  

Chapter Two: Prophetic Evidence on the Virtue of Supplication and Seeking Help from Allah 


1. Hadiths on the Virtue of Supplication 

- Nu'man ibn Bashir (رضي الله عنهما) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:  

**"Supplication is worship."** Then he recited: **{And your Lord says: Call upon Me; I will respond to you.}** (Quran 40:60) (Tirmidhi, authenticated by Al-Albani).  

- Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:  

**"Nothing is more honorable to Allah than supplication."** (Ibn Majah, graded Hasan by Al-Albani).  

2. Hadiths on Seeking Help from Allah 

- Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) reported that the Prophet ﷺ would say:  

**"O Allah, I seek refuge in You from incapacity that cannot be remedied, from sorrow that cannot be relieved, from speech that is not heard, from a heart that does not humble itself, and from a supplication that is not answered."** (Tabarani, authenticated by Al-Albani).  

- Anas ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ would say:  

**"O Allah, I seek refuge in You from grief and sadness, from weakness and laziness, from miserliness and cowardice, from being overwhelmed by debt and overpowered by men."** (Bukhari & Muslim).  

3. Supplication and Seeking Help in Times of Hardship

- During the Battle of the Trench, when the Muslims faced severe hardship, the Prophet ﷺ supplicated:  

**"O Allah, Revealer of the Book, Swift in reckoning, defeat the confederates. O Allah, defeat them and shake them."** (Bukhari & Muslim).  

- Whenever the Prophet ﷺ faced distress, he would say:  

**"O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek help."** (Tirmidhi, graded Hasan).  

Chapter Three: Etiquettes of Supplication and Conditions for Acceptance


1. Conditions for an Accepted Supplication  

- **Sincerity to Allah**: The Prophet ﷺ said:  

**"Call upon Allah while being certain of His response."** (Tirmidhi).  

- **Repentance from sins**: Sins may prevent supplications from being answered.  

- **Avoiding haste**: The Prophet ﷺ said:  

**"A person’s supplication will be answered as long as they do not become impatient and say, ‘I supplicated but was not answered.’"** (Bukhari & Muslim).  

2. Times and Situations When Supplications Are Accepted 

- **The last third of the night**: The Prophet ﷺ said:  

**"Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven every night when the last third remains and says: ‘Who is calling upon Me that I may answer them?’"** (Bukhari & Muslim).  

- **Between the Adhan and Iqamah**: The Prophet ﷺ said:  

**"A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqamah is not rejected."** (Abu Dawud).  

- **The Day of Arafah**: The Prophet ﷺ said:  

**"The best supplication is the one made on the Day of Arafah."** (Tirmidhi).  

3. Prophetic Supplications for Seeking Help

- **Supplication for distress**:  

**"There is no god but Allah, the All-Mighty, the Forbearing. There is no god but Allah, Lord of the Magnificent Throne. There is no god but Allah, Lord of the heavens and the earth, Lord of the Noble Throne."** (Bukhari & Muslim).  

- **Supplication for anxiety and hardship**:  

**"O Allah, I am Your servant, son of Your servant, son of Your maidservant. My forelock is in Your Hand, Your command over me is forever executed, and Your decree over me is just. I ask You by every name belonging to You..."** (Ahmad, authenticated by Al-Albani).  

Chapter Four: Common Mistakes in Supplication and Seeking Help


1. Supplicating for What Displeases Allah 

Such as supplicating for sin or severing family ties. The Prophet ﷺ said:  

**"A person’s supplication will continue to be answered as long as they do not supplicate for sin or cutting family ties."** (Muslim).  

2. Despairing of the Response 

Allah says:  

**{And your Lord says: Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Verily, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell in humiliation.}** (Quran 40:60).  

3. Neglecting Means While Supplicating

A Muslim is commanded to take practical means while relying on Allah. The Prophet ﷺ told a Bedouin who left his camel untied, relying solely on Allah:  

**"Tie it and trust in Allah."** (Tirmidhi).  

Conclusion: Supplication and Seeking Help—The Path to Success

Supplication and seeking help from Allah are not mere words but a state of humility, acknowledging Allah’s power and wisdom. The Prophet ﷺ was the perfect example in this, never abandoning supplication in any situation.  

Let us strive to be among those who remember Allah abundantly, who turn to Him in times of ease and hardship, and who seek His help in all matters—so that we may attain His pleasure and mercy.  



This article combines authentic Prophetic hadiths with practical benefits regarding supplication and seeking help from Allah, ensuring reliance on trusted sources of Sunnah. May it benefit all readers.

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