CAT 2 PHASE 2; Topic T0012 – Memorize Duas
Table of Contents
Introduction to Significance of Memorizing Duas
Dua means supplication, which means communicating with a deity, comes closer than invocation. It is an important part of our faith and belief. We ask from Almighty Allah for everything that we want in our life no matter its how big or small. Dua is a means of keeping in touch with Allah and due to Dua, we get closer to our Lord. So, Dua is a source of keeping the supplicant closer to the Almighty Allah. In this article we are going to emphasize on the Significance of Memorizing Duas
Dua is a form of prayer and it could be made at any time anywhere there is no fixed time and place of making Dua. It is considered as a weapon with the help of which we can change our situation by asking help from Almighty Allah. Dua can change the destiny so try to make Dua in every situation because with Dua you will always get closer to Almighty Allah. It maintained a person’s belief in One Lord and it rejects all forms of idolatry. Dua is essentially a submission to the Creator and a demonstration of a person’s need for Allah. Lets dele in to Significance of Memorizing Duas
Definition and Merits of Dua
Dua (pronounced Du‘ā) literally means a request, invocation or supplication. According to al-Khattābī, Dua is the asking of a servant for his Lord for help and for His continued support. It is a form of ‘Ibadah (worship) and Zikrullah (remembrance of Allah).
There are numerous Dua with various purposes in the Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet We are highly encouraged to recite these Dua from both sources for our benefits in both worlds.
The Qur’an says
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:“When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me.” (Quran, 2:186). So with this verse, we can say that Allah Almighty listens to us when we make Dua. We should always seek help from Allah.
Allah says in Quran: “And your Lord says, Call on Me; I will answer your (prayer). But those who are too arrogant to worship Me will surely find themselves in Hell, in humiliation.” (Quran, 40:60).
Hadith on Dua
Our beloved Prophet said: “The most excellent worship is Dua.” (Sahih Al-Jami)
Dua is a form of worship, in fact, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) said it as the best form of worship. When we make Dua in front of Almighty ALLAH for our needs and wants not only our Dua is being answered but we will be rewarded for worshiping also. While making Dua we accept the power and authority of ALLAH and our weakness in front of HIM. With Dua we can never fail; without it, we can never succeed. A person can never become arrogant or proud when he makes Dua; it is a logical result of true worship.
Prophet said: “A slave becomes nearest to his Lord when he is in prostration. So increase supplications in prostrations.” (Sahih Muslim).When making the Dua it is acceptable to ask for good in this worldly life and in the hereafter. Throughout the Quran, Our Lord encourages the believers to call on Him, He asks us to lay our dreams, hopes, fears, and uncertainties before Him and to be sure that He hears every word.
Benefits of making Dua
As we are emphasizing on the Significance of Memorizing Duas, let us consider the benefits of making duas. There are many benefits of making Dua from Almighty Allah some of them we have listed below:
- The loss of arrogance- When we make Dua we submit that Allah alone is the creator and He is The Powerful one and everything is under control Him. We are nothing in front of Him we have to ask from Him.
- The fulfillment of Dua- For the people that sometimes see that their Duas are not being accepted, there is either the option that the Dua will be accepted later on in this life or in the Hereafter or the option that the Dua will be accepted by other means. Holy Prophet said about it: “Whoever does Dua to Allah, Allah fulfills his seeking or in exchange averts misfortune until the Dua is not related to sin or breaking some relation.” (Tirmidhi). So, if we do not see our Dua being accepted immediately, we should not despair because either it will help us against some misfortune, or it might be accepted later.
- Dua has the power to change the destiny- Prophet said, “Dua turns away destiny and good deeds lengthen age.” (Tirmidhi)
- Dua opened the doors of Mercy- Holy Prophet said, “For whoever the door of Dua opened, for him the doors of mercy are opened.” (Tirmidhi)
The Blessed Times for Dua
As we earnestly hope to have our Dua answered, look out for these best times known as Sā‘at al-Ijābah or al-Istijābah (Times of answered prayers), so that Allah s.w.t. may fulfil our prayers the best way possible:
1. In the depths of the night
The Prophet said, “Our Lord, the Blessed and the Exalted, descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the latter part of the night is left and says: Who supplicates Me so that I may answer him? Who asks Me so that I may give to him? Who asks Me forgiveness so that I may forgive him?” (Sahih Muslim)
2. Before saying Salām in a prayer
According to the hadith reported by Abu Umamah r.a, It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, which Dua is heard?” He said, “In the last third of the night, and following every prescribed prayer.”
(Sunan At-Tirmizi)
3. Between the Azān and the Iqāmah
The Prophet said, “If anyone finds pleasure in receiving an answer from God in times of difficulty, he should make many supplications when times are easy.” (Sunan At-Tirmizi)
5. Between ‘Asar and Maghrib on Fridays.
The Prophet said, “Friday consists of twelve hours. There is one in which a Muslim who asks Allah for something will have it granted to him. Seek it in the last hour after ‘Asar.” (Sunan An-Nasa’i)
6. Between two khutbahs of a Friday prayer
Abu Hurairah r.a. reported that the Messenger of Allah said while talking about the merits of Friday,
“There is a time on Friday at which a Muslim, while he is performing a prayer and is supplicating, will be granted whatever he (or she) is supplicating for.” And he pointed with his hand to indicate that this period of time is very short.
(Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
7. During Sujūd in a prayer
The Prophet s.a.w said, “The nearest a slave can be to his Lord (Allāh) is while doing sujūd, so increase in supplication” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
8. While drinking the water of Zamzam
The Prophet said, “The water of Zamzam is for whatever it is drunk for.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah)
9. During Ramadan—especially before breaking fast, on the last ten days, and the Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power)
Ramadan, as the best month of all, is filled with great blessings when a servant does good deeds that include ‘ibādah in the form of Dua. The Prophet said, “There are three people whose Dua is not rejected; the fasting person until he breaks the fast, the just ruler, and the oppressed person, whose Dua Allah lifts above the clouds and opens unto it the doors of Jannah, and Allah says: “I swear by My Honour, verily I shall assist you, even though it may be after some time.” (Sunan At-Tirmizi)
10. At times of adversity
Allah s.w.t. says in the Qur’an: And (remember) Zun-Nūn (Prophet Yūnus a.s.), when he went off in anger and imagined that We shall not punish him (i.e. the calamities which had befallen him)! But he cried through the darkness (saying): None has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah), Glorified (and Exalted) are You. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers. So We answered his call and delivered him from distress. And thus We do deliver the believers (who believe in the Oneness of Allâh, abstain from evil and work righteousness). (Surah Al-Anbiya’, 21:87-88)
11. While performing hajj, on the first ten days of Zulhijjah and on the day of Arafah
The Prophet said, “There are no days during which the righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah s.w.t. than these (first ten) days (of Zulhijjah).” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
And in another hadith, he said, “The best of Dua is Dua on the day of ‘Arafah.” (Sunan At-Tirmizi)
The significance of the Parent-Child relationship
The parent-child relationship is held in such high esteem that it is mentioned over and over throughout the Quran. Allah tells us that none of our sacrifices, our pain and our efforts we put in to raising our children will be in vain. Allah reminds us that the reward is with Him. The most important thing we can do is to pray for them and trust in Allah, and we can see many example of this in the Qur’an and sunnah.
To save Prophet Musa (AS) from Firaon, his mother placed him in a basket and watched him float away. She was terrified, having just made a great sacrifice, but she placed her trust in Allah, believing that He would protect her son. It was because of this immense trust that Allah raised her ranks and the ranks of her son in this world and the hereafter, He returned Musa (AS) to her and she went on to become the mother of not one, but two Prophets.
When Prophet Yusuf (AS) was believed to be dead, his father, Prophet Yaqub (AS), grieved openly for him for a long time. He cried over his son so much that he became blind from the sorrow. He set the precedent for grief and beautiful patience for generations to come, and showed that your immense love for your children and the intensity of your grief for them is not a reflection of weak faith. Likewise, when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s son passed away in infancy, he called his tears of sorrow over him “a mercy”.
Luqman Al Hakeem (the wise) spoke words of such importance to his son that Allah revealed them as a Surah in the Quran. The dua of the mother of Maryam (AS) was so profound, that she was blessed with a pious child – the only woman to be mentioned by name in the Quran.
Then when she delivered her (child), she said: “O my Lord! I have delivered a female child,” – and Allah knew better what she delivered, – “And the male is not like the female, and I have named her Maryam, and I seek refuge with You (Allah) for her and for her offspring from Shaitan, the outcast.” (Qur’an 2:36)
Beautiful Duas for children
Children are gifts from Allah. The Quran mentions this fact in the verse: “And Allah has made for you spouses of your own kind and given you through your spouses, children and grandchildren. And He has granted you good, lawful provisions. Are they then faithful to falsehood and ungrateful for Allah’s favours?” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:72)
The Messenger of Allah said: “There are three supplications that will undoubtedly be answered: the supplication of an oppressed person, the supplication of the traveller; and the supplication of a parent over his child.” (Sunan At-Tirmizi)
Truly, the prayer of the parent for his or her child is answered. Here are some duas that we can recite for our children:
1. Dua for Children’s Protection
We seek protection from Allah s.w.t, the All-Protecting and the All-Knowing. Prophet Muhammad used to seek Allah’s protection for Al-Hasan and Al-Husain by reciting this Dua. It is also encouraged to see a prayer with Allah’s Names.
أُعِيذُكُمَا بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ، وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لاَمَّةٍ
U’izukuma bikalimatil-lahit-tammati min kulli shaytanin wa hammah, wa min kulli ‘ainin lammah.
“I seek protection for you in the Perfect Words of Allah from every devil and every beast, and from every envious blameworthy eye.” (Jami’ At-Tirmizi)
2. Dua for Children’s Health
This Dua can also be recited when children or anyone are sick and in need of a cure. The Prophet used to read this Dua whenever he visited a patient.
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ، أَذْهِبِ البَأْسَ رَبَّ النَّاسِ، اشْفِ وَأَنْتَ الشَّافِي لاَ شِفَاءَ إِلاَّ شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لاَ يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا
Allahuma Rabban-nas, azhibil-ba’sa, isyfi wa anta asy-syafi, la syifa’a illa syifa-uka, syifa-an laa yughadiru saqama.
“O Allah, Lord of the people, take away the disease. Cure him as You are the One Who cures. There is no cure but Yours, a cure that leaves behind no ailment.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
3. Dua for Children’s Upbringing
رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
Rabbana hab lana min azwajinaa wa zurriyyatina qurrata a’yunin waj-alnaa lil muttaqiina imaama.
“Our Lord! Bless us with pious spouses and offspring who will be the joy of our hearts, and make us models for the righteous.” (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:74)
4. Dua for Children’s Success
Prophet Ibrahim a.s. made this Dua, asking Allah s.w.t. to bless him with righteous offspring.
رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
Rabbi hab lii minas-solihiin.
“My Lord! Bless me with righteous offspring.”
(Surah As-Saffat, 37:100)
5. Dua for Children’s Steadfastness in Prayers
This is a Dua that we can recite for ourselves, as well as for our children to be steadfast in prayers.
رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءِ
Rabbij-’alni muqimas-solati wa min zurriyyati, Rabbana wa taqabbal du’aa.
“My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.”
(Surah Ibrahim, 14:40)
6. Dua for Children’s Exams
We can also recite this Dua for our children and even teach them to recite it, especially when facing any difficulties.
اللَّهُمَّ لَا سَهْلَ إلاَّ مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلاً، وأنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الحَزْنَ إذَا شِئْتَ سَهْلاً
Allahumma laa sahla illa ma ja’altahu sahlan, wa anta taj-alul hazna iza syi’ta sahla.
“Oh Allah! Nothing is easy except what you have made easy. If you wish, you can make the difficult easy.” (Sahih Ibn Hibban)
7. Dua for Children to be Devoted to Allah s.w.t.
As Muslim parents, it is our responsibility to instil the love of Allah s.w.t. and His Prophet in our children.
رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُسْلِمَةً لَكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
Rabbana waj-’alna muslimaini laka wa min zurriyyatina ummatan muslimatan laka wa-arina manasikana wa tub ‘alaina innaka anta at-tawwabur-rahim.
“Our Lord! Make us both (fully) submit to You and from our descendants a nation that will submit to you. Show us our rituals, and accept our repentance. You are truly the Acceptor of Repentance, Most Merciful.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:128)
8. Dua for Children to be Righteous and for us to be Grateful
رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ إِنِّي تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِين
Rabbi auzi’ni an asykura ni’matakal-lati an’amta ‘alayya wa ’alaa waalidayya wa an a’mala solihan tardhahu wa aslih lii fii zurriyyati inni tubtu ilaika wa inni minal-muslimin.
“My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favour which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims.” (Surah Al-Ahqaf, 46:15)
9. Dua for Children and for pious offspring
This dua which we can practise was recited by Prophet Zakariyya a.s., asking Allah s.w.t. to grant him a pious child.
رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ
Rabbi hab lii min ladunka zurriyyatan toyyibatan innaka samii’ud-du’aa.
“My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication.” (Surah Ali ‘Imran, 3:38)
Other than the above-mentioned Duas, you can also dua with all your heart. By His will, Allah may grant your prayers and hope for the success of your children.
For the grieving parent
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “When a person’s child dies, Allah the Most High asks His angels, ‘Have you taken out the life of the child of My slave?’ They reply in the affirmative. He then asks, ‘Have you taken the fruit of his heart?’ They reply in the affirmative. Thereupon he asks, ‘What has My slave said?’ They say: ‘He has praised You and said: Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall be returned).’ Allah says: ‘Build a house for My slave in Jannah and name it Bait-ul-Hamd (the House of Praise)’.” (Tirmidhi)
Example of the mother of Maryam (p)
Hannah, the mother of Maryam, thought of her child’s upbringing long before she gave birth like so many mother’s before her and so many more since. She wanted a pious child who would be granted Eternal Paradise…after all, a mother wants the best for her child and there is nothing better than that.So when she realized that she was pregnant, she supplicated to her Lord saying, “I have vowed to You that what is in my womb to be dedicated for your services, so accept this from me.” [Quran 3:35]
Her prayers did not stop there though. Upon the birth of her baby daughter, Hannah made another sincere prayer to Allah asking Him for what every mother has prayed for. She prayed, “I seek refuge with You for her and for her offspring from Satan, the outcast.” [Quran 3:36]
Lessons
The parent-child relationship is held in such high esteem that it is mentioned over and over throughout the Qur’an. Allah tells us that none of our sacrifices, our pain and our efforts we put in to raising our children will be in vain. Allah reminds us that the reward is with Him. The most important thing we can do is to pray for them and trust in Allah.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “There are three prayers that will undoubtedly be answered: the prayer of one who has been wronged; the prayer of the traveller; and the prayer of a father concerning his child.” (Al-Tirmidhi)
Conclusion
Raising children in this time and age can be difficult. No matter how much we try, it seems our children still go astray from the straight path. However, as parents, we must try our utmost best and pray to Allah to make our children pious and successful. It is Allah alone who guides.
Children are an amanah for us as Muslims, a responsibility as much as they are a gift. It is our job to make sure they become hard-working, productive and most importantly, God-fearing individuals who will be an asset to the Ummah.
References
- A Guide to Parenting in Islam: Cherishing Childhood Paperback by Muhammad Abdul Bari
- Nurturing Eman in Children Author – Dr Aisha Hamdan (International Islamic Publishing House)
- Meeting the Challenge of Parenting in the West – An Islamic perspective
Author – Ekram Beshir, Mohamed Rida Beshir Amana publications
- Understand Your Child’s Development: For the Muslim Parent by Jameela Ho
- Website – https://productivemuslim.com/islamic-parenting/
Hashtags
#IslamicDua #DuaForKids