The Fundamental Nature of Our Supplications

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

We have to understand the nature of du’a, supplication.  The first is that anything and everything is a du’a, even the passing thought.  That is why the Qur’an Mentions things like the evil eye.  The evil thoughts we have of others, even in unconscious envy, has consequences.  And that is why we constantly seek Refuge in Allah (s.w.t.) from that.  It was this hasad that caused the Fall of Adam (a.s.). 

The second is that every supplication is Answered.  The Qur’an States thus: 

سُوۡرَةُ المؤمن / غَافر

وَقَالَ رَبُّڪُمُ ٱدۡعُونِىٓ أَسۡتَجِبۡ لَكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِى سَيَدۡخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ (٦٠) 

And your Lord Says, “Call on Me; I will Answer your (prayer): But those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell, in humiliation!” (Surah Ghafir:60) 

Du’a is a Command, not an option.  When asked what we should ask for, the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, even the laces of shoes.  The one who thinks there are things we need not ask of God is under the mistaken impression that we are the owners of reality. 

The third is that the circumstances, the time and the manner of a supplication being Answered Belongs to the Master Alone.  So, while there is a guarantee that du’a is Answered, it is our hope in His Mercy and our cognisance of His Sovereignty that we wait. 

The fourth is that Allah (s.w.t.) is Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent.  Our God is not in need of our asking to Grant us our need.  Form the moment we were Created, long before we arrived at the moment, He already Knew our need and He Already Addressed it according to His Plan.  Our asking is a Gift, so that we recognise Him and His Generosity. 

In light of this, no man or woman should fear telling the world that God is the Granter of Supplications and the Hearer of Entreaties.  The fear is that we arrive at the belief we command, and He Answers, and that is shirk.  That is the danger.  But one whose creed is firm, and free of shirk has no such fear.