Sunnats and Aadaab of Duaa – Part 1

Duaa is a means through which a servant draws from the treasures of Allah Ta’ala. Duaa is the essence of all ibaadat. Allah Ta’ala becomes pleased with those servants who continuously and repeatedly turn to Him in duaa and becomes displeased with those servants who do not beg of Him through duaa. Duaa is described in the Mubaarak Ahaadith as being the weapon of a believer. Hence it is extremely essential for a believer to make duaa part of his daily routine thereby seeking the divine grace of Allah Ta’ala in all his affairs and seeking solutions for all his problems. However, just as there are certain sunnats and etiquettes for all ibaadaat, similarly there are sunnats and etiquettes for duaa. ^[1]
1. One should commence the du`aa with praising Allah Ta`ala followed by reciting durood upon Hadhrat Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Thereafter in all humility and respect one should present his needs before Allah Ta’ala.

عن فضالة بن عبيد قال : بينا رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم قاعدا إذ دخل رجل فصلى فقال اللهم اغفر لي وارحمني فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم عجلت أيها المصلي إذا صليت فقعدت فاحمد الله بما هو أهله وصل علي ثم ادعه قال ثم صلى رجل آخر بعد ذلك فحمد الله وصلى على النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم فقال له النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم أيها المصلي ادع تجب (ترمذي رقم 3476)

Hadhrat Fadhaala bin Ubaid (Radhiyallahu Anhu) reports that on one occasion Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was seated in the Musjid when a person entered the Musjid and performed salaah. He then made duaa saying ‘O Allah, forgive me and have mercy on me.’ Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) addressed him saying: “O musalli, you have hastened (in your duaa). After performing salaah when you sit (to engage in duaa), then (first) praise Allah Ta’ala with praises that are befitting His majesty and honour. Thereafter recite durood upon me, and then call upon Allah Ta’ala and ask Him of your needs. Subsequently Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had seen another person perform salaah. After performing salaah he engaged in duaa. He first praised Allah Ta’ala and thereafter recited durood upon Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) addressed him saying: “O musalli, call upon Allah Ta’ala and ask Him of your needs, your duaa will be answered (as you have abided by the aadaab of duaa).”

 عن عبد الله رضي الله عنه قال : إذا أراد أحدكم أن يسأل فليبدأ بالمدحة والثناء على الله بما هو أهله ثم ليصل على النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم ثم ليسأل بعد فإنه أجدر أن ينجح (المعجم الكبير رقم 8780)

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports: “When any one of you wishes to supplicate before Allah Ta’ala in duaa, then he should begin by first glorifying Allah Ta’ala and praising Him with praises that are befitting His majesty and honour. Thereafter he should recite durood upon Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), after which he should beg Allah Ta’ala and ask whatever he wishes. Certainly (by adhering to the aadaab of duaa), in this way it is hoped that one will be successful (in getting his duaa answered).