Can We Write “SAW” or “PBUH” When we Mention the Prophet and Messenger of Allah?

In the Name of Allaah, may the Salaah and Salaam of Allaah be upon His Final Messenger, to proceed:

Muslims are obliged to send Allaah’s Salaah [2] and Salaam [3] upon Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) when his name is mentioned. Allaah has commanded us [4]:

( Verily Allaah and His Angels send salaah on the Prophet. O you who believe! Invoke salaah upon him, as well as a complete salaam! )

And the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:

“For each time someone invokes salaah upon me, Allaah writes for him ten good rewards because of it.” [5]

And the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) had described the one who does not sendsalaah upon him when he is mentioned as “the stingiest of people.” [6] And he exclaimed “Aameen!” to Jibreel’s supplication, “May Allaah repel the one who hears mention of you and does not invoke any salaah upon you!” [7]

So here is the issue that needs to be clarified: Many people use the abbreviation“SAW,” “SAWS,” or “PBUH” to fulfill this obligation in their writing. Is this something that fulfills the obligation of sending the salaah and salaam on the Messenger? Let us look now to some of the statements of the scholars regarding this practice.

The Committee of Major Scholars in Saudi Arabia headed by ‘Abdul-’Azeez ibn ‘Abdillaah ibn Baaz issued the following verdict when asked about the validity of abbreviating thesalaah on the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam): “The Sunnah is to write the entire phrase “sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam,” since it is a kind of supplication, and supplication is worship, (in one’s writing) just as it is in one’s speech. So to abbreviate it using the letter SAAD or the word SAAD-LAAM-’AYN-MEEM is not a supplication nor is it worship, whether it occurs in speech or writing. For this reason, this abbreviation was not used by the the first three generations, those that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) testified to their goodness.” [8]

“SAAD” and “SAAD-LAAM-’AYN-MEEM” are often used in some Arabic books. The English equivalents of these abbreviations would be: SAW, SAWS, SAAWS, PBUH, and the likes.

Al-Fayrooz-Abaadee said, “It is not appropriate to use symbols or abbreviations to refer to salaah and salaam, as some of the lazy ones do, as well as some ignorant people and even some students of knowledge – they write ‘SAAD-LAAM-’AYN-MEEM’ instead of writing ‘sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam.’” [9]

Ahmad Shaakir said, “It is the absurd tradition of some of the later generations that they abbreviate the writing of ‘sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam.’” [10]

Wasee Allaah ‘Abbaas said, “It is not permissible to abbreviate the salaams in general in one’s writing, just as it is not permissible to abbreviate the salaah and salaam on the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam). It is also not permissible to abbreviate either of these in one’s speech.” [11]

And Allaah knows best. May the most perfect and complete salaah and salaam be upon our beloved Messenger, and upon his noble family and companions.

FOOTNOTES

[1] written by Moosaa Richardson

[2] Sending salaah on the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) means that one invokes Allaah to praise him and mention his high status to the angels. See Jalaa’ Al-Afhaam(p.253) of Ibn Al-Qayyim, Fat-hul-Baaree (11/179-197) of Ibn Hajr, or Ibn Katheer’s tafseerto verse 33:56.

[3] salaam: security

[4] The meaning of Soorah Al-Ahzaab (33):56

[5] An authentic hadeeth collected by Ibn Hib-baan in his Saheeh (#906, 3/187) on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him). Al-Albaanee declared it to besaheeh in Silsilatul-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah (#3359, 7/1080).

[6] From a hasan hadeeth collected by Ibn Abee ‘Aasim in As-Salaah ‘Alan-Nabee (p.30-31) on the authority of Aboo Tharr (may Allaah be pleased with him). Hamdee As-Salafee called it hasan in his checking of the book.

[7] From an authentic hadeeth collected by At-Tabaraanee in Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabeer on the authority of Jaabir ibn Samurah (may Allaah be pleased with him). Al-Albaanee authenticated it in his checking of Al-Munthiree’s At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb (#1677, 2/298).

[8] Fatwaawee Al-Lajnatid-Daa’imah #18770 (12/208-209)

[9] From his book As-Salaatu wal-Bashar, as quoted in Mu’jam Al-Manaahee Al-Laf-thiyyah (p.351)

[10] the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad (#5088, 9/105)

[11] From a handwritten answer provided by the shaykh, file no. AAWA004, dated 1423/6/24

 REFERENCES

 As’ilah Amreekiyyah Ajaaba ‘Anhaa Shuyookh Makkah, file no. AAWA004 (not published yet).

 As-Salaah ‘Alan-Nabee (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) of Ibn Abee Ad-Dunyaa, checking by Hamdee As-Salafee, Daar Al-Ma’moon lit-Turaath in Damascus, first printing, 1415.

 Fadhlus-Salaati ‘alan-Nabee (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) of Ismaa’eel ibn Ishaaq Al-Qhaadee Al-Maalikee, with checking and comments by Al-Albaanee, Al-Maktabatul-Islaamiyyah in Beirut, third printing, 1397.

 Fataawaa Al-Lajnatid-Daa’imah lil-Buhooth wal-Iftaa’, Daar Al-Balansiyyah in Riyadh, second printing, 1421.

 Fat-hul-Baaree of Ibn Hajr, with checking by Bin Baaz, Daar Al-Hadeeth in Cairo, first printing, 1419.

 Jalaa’ Al-Afhaam fee Fadhlis-Salaati was-Salaami ‘alaa Muhammadin Khayril-Anaamof Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jowziyyah, with checking and comments by Mash-hoor Hasan Salmaan, Daar Ibn Al-Jowzee in Dammam, second printing, 1420.

 Mu’jam Al-Manaahee Al-Lafthiyyah, Daar Al-’Aasimah in Riyadh, second printing, 1417.

 Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad, Mu’assastur-Risaalah in Beirut, first printing, 1415.

 Saheeh At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb (2/288-303: The Chapter of Sending Salaah on the Prophet) of Al-Albaanee, Maktabatul-Ma’aarif in Ar-Riyaadh, first printing, 1421.

 Saheeh Ibn Hib-baan bi Tarteeb Ibn Bulbaan, Mu’as-sasatur-Risaalah, third printing, 1418.

 Silsilatul-Ahaadeethis-Saheehah of Al-Albaanee, Maktabatul-Ma’aarif in Ar-Riyaadh, first (complete) printing, 1422.

 Tafseer Al-Qur’aan Al-’Atheem (the verse 33:56) of Ibn Katheer, Daar Taybah in Ar-Riyaadh, first printing of the second edition, 1422.

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Victims of Backbiting – Take Comfort in the Wisdom of the Salaf

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon His last Messenger to all of mankind, to proceed…

It has been narrated that one of the great imaams of the early Salaf, ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Mahdee [d.198] (may Allaah have Mercy on him), said:

لولا أني أكره أن يعصى الله لتمنيت أن لا يبقى أحد في المصر إلا اغتابني!  أي شيء أهنأ من حسنة يجدها الرجل في صحيفته لم يعمل بها؟

“If I did not hate that Allaah be disobeyed, I would have wished that there was no one left in the whole city except that he has backbitten me!  What is more rewarding than a man finding a good deed (written) in his book for something he did not even do?!”

Source: Siyar A’laam An-Nubalaa’ (9/195-196), Risaalah printing

ELABORATION

“If I did not hate that Allaah be disobeyed…”

Meaning that backbiting is haraam, and to wish that the Muslims would backbite would be wishing that Allaah be disobeyed.  However, to stress the benefit of being backbitten, he goes on to say:

“…I would have wished that there was no one left in the whole city except that he has backbitten me!”

When someone is backbitten or slandered, naturally he feels disturbed and upset, and even a sense of loss.  So people need someone to point out that there is a great amount of good in being the focus of people’s backbiting.  This advice of Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Mahdee seems to be from the idea of mutually advising each other to have patience, as mentioned in Soorah Al-’Asr.

Apparently, this was in response to him hearing that some people were talking about him, or possibly someone was complaining to him about having been backbitten, and Allaah knows best.  He says that if it was permissible to wish for others to fall into disobedience, he would have wished that they all would backbite him, and then he clarifies the reason for saying this:

“…What is more rewarding than a man finding a good deed (written) in his book for something he did not even do?!”

Since the one who backbites someone (in other than the permissible, sometimes obligatory, forms of backbiting) forwards to that person his good deeds or will be made to be accountable for bad deeds of his victim, as mentioned in the hadeeth of Al-Bukhaaree:

“The bankrupt one from my nation will come on the Day of Judgement with deeds of prayer, fasting, zakaah, but he has insulted this one, maligned that one, taken the money of this one, spilled the blood of that one, or hit another one.  So some of his good deeds will be given to this one and that one.  If no good deeds remain, then it will be judged that their bad deeds be taken and cast upon him, then he will be cast into the Fire.”

And we ask Allaah for protection.

So then his statement, “…a good deed (written) in his book for something he did not even do,” seems to be referring to what is mentioned in the hadeeth that the one who is maligned will be given some of the good deeds of the one who maligned him.

And Allaah knows best.

Written by: Moosaa Richardson

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Three Points about Joking

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful…

Let us be reminded that while light-hearted, honest joking from time to time is permissible, there are indeed dangers in joking that many of us may not think about and therefore fall into, so let us be warned about them:

1) JOKES INVOLVING LIES

Indeed the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) warned us severely against using lies in our joking, with his statement:

ويل للذي يحدث بالحديث ليضحك به القوم فيكذب، ويل له، ويل له
“Woe to the one who lies to make people laugh, WOE TO HIM, WOE TO HIM!”

This is an authenitc hadeeth found in Sunan Abee Daawood (#4990), At-Tirmithee (#2315), and others.  At-Tirmithee called the hadeeth hasan, and Al-Albaanee agreed.

Someone may say, “Well, its obvious this joke is full of lies, but I’m not the one who made it up, I’m just passing it on.”

The reply: The hadeeth of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) that Imaam Muslim brings in the introduction to his Saheeh could apply here:

كفى بالمرء كذبًا أن يحدث بكل ما سمع
“It is sufficient for a man to be considered a liar when he relays everything he hears.”

Lies in general are impermissible, in joking or outside of joking.  There are three exceptions to the general prohibition of lying in Islaam:

• Between spouses
• To correct a broken relationship
• In established military operations (jihad) under a Muslim government

Even in these three cases it must only be used to bring about a benefit.

The point is that none of the scholars exempted joking as a permissible form of lying.

2) EXCESSIVE JOKING

The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:

لا تكثروا الضحك، فإن كثرة الضحك تميت القلب
“Don’t laugh too much! For verily, excessive laughter kills the heart!”

This is an authentic hadeeth found in Sunan Ibn Maajah (#4193).  Refer to Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (#506).

And he (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) also said:

والله لو تعلمون ما أعلم لضحكتم قليلا ولبكيتم كثيرا
“I swear by the One in whose hand is my soul, if you saw what I have seen, you would laugh a little, and cry a lot.” [Al-Bukhaaree & Muslim]

So the Muslim who recognizes his priorities in life does not get caught up in excessive joking, for example, joke books or comedy programs on TV or radio, since these things will only weaken his heart, keep it away from Allaah’s remembrance, or even kill it, and Allaah’s refuge is sought.

3) INSULTING PEOPLE IN JEST (Satire, Sarcasm, Roasting, etc.)

The disbelievers have a custom of intentionally insulting a person to honor him (?!), they call it a “roast.” They gather the best comedians together to humiliate their “honoree” on his 50th birthday, or his retirement party, or other big occasion. And from their customs as well is to jokingly insult a friend, out of love or respect (?!), as you may have seen.

They might say, “This is my friend, Fulaan, the fat pig,” and they all laugh, or, “My wife, the old ball and chain…” or other derogatory terms that are actually words of insult in their origin. They only spark hatred and do not achieve any goodness, so the Muslim must be the furthest away from this kind of action. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:

سباب المسلم فسوق، وقتاله كفر
“Insulting a Muslim is fusooq (sinful disobedience), and fighting him is kufr(ingratitude, a lesser kind of disbelief).” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]

Or perhaps they may say these things without that person’s presence, then it is even worse. It falls into eating your brother’s dead flesh, the dreadful sin of backbiting.

And if someone said: “But it is understood by everyone to be good, honest fun…!”

The reply: Let us be reminded of Allaah’s Verse:

الخبيثات للخبيثين والخبيثون للخبيثات والطيبات للطيبين والطيبون للطيبات
( And bad things (filthy women, bad words, etc.) are for bad people, and bad people are for bad things.  Good things (upright women, kind words, etc.) are for good people, and good people are for good things. ) [Al-Qur'aan 24:26]

And the speech of His noble Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam):

من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فليقل خيرا أو ليصمت
“Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day must speak with goodness or remain silent.” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]

With these brief and simple points, let an honest Muslim open his heart to a beautiful reminder about how his Religion gives him personal honor and upright character, raising him above the silly and shameful behavior of the disbelievers.

And Allaah knows best.

Written by: Moosaa Richardson

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A Real Eye-Opener: Upset with the Qadr of Allaah!?

In the Name of Allaah…

Most people entertain bad thoughts about Allaah regarding their own personal situations and the situations of others.  The only ones who remain safe from this are those who truly know Allaah, His Names, His Attributes, and what His Wisdom and Right to be praised really entails.

So let every sincere, sound-minded individual focus on himself regarding this, and then repent to Allaah and seek His Forgiveness from the negative notions he entertains about his Lord.

Look closely at anyone!  You will find that people become upset with Qadr and blame things on it, saying that, “It should have been this way or that way…”

Some people behave this way only rarely, others more commonly!

Inspect yourself – Are you innocent!?

If you are saved from it, you are safe from something terrible… 
But really, I doubt you are even safe!

-Ibn al-Qayyim

This is a passage from the great writings of al-’Allaamah Ibn Qayyim al-Jowziyyah, as quoted in the book, Kitaab at-Towheed, by Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Wahhaab.

This passage was an explanation of some Qur’aanic verses exposing the notions and ill assumptions of the hypocrites after the defeat suffered at the Battle of Uhud.  It is absolutely amazing how this great scholar tied the filthy beliefs of the hypocrites to our own hearts and actions, and guided us to take a an important personal lesson from the hidden enemies of Islaam and their false notions about the Wisdom of Allaah and His Qadr.

From the attributes of the hypocrites is that they do not submit to the Qadr of Allaah, instead they find fault with it, and claim that things would have been better had they been in charge of the affair!

Review Soorah Aal ‘Imraan (3:154).

Ibn al-Qayyim said, “Inspect yourself – Are you innocent?!”

I remind myself and my brothers and sisters in Islaam to sincerely think about the following statements and ponder over how distant we are from them in reality:

• “That’s just great!  This is why I hate Mondays!”
• “What is wrong with this laptop?  Another virus!!  And of course this would happen NOW, when I have all this important work to finish!!”
• “The car seems to break down every time I’m running late!”
• “My stupid cellphone keeps shutting down…!”
• “Oh great!  One more red light!  As if I’m not late enough!”
• “I stoved my toe on that stupid table!”

These small everyday trials we face and the emotions we react with are all part of our personal test.  Our reactions, beliefs, and statements are all being recorded!

With the above mentioned complaints and reactions, who are we actually displeased with?  We know that the table didn’t do anything to our toe, right?  We know that cars, cellphones, and laptops don’t actually choose to do things to harm us in reality, right?

So then, again – WHO or WHAT are we really displeased with when uttering these kinds of statements?

We desperately need our spouses, friends, and companions to remind us, quite simply, with the following question:

Are you unhappy with the Qadr of Allaah?

Let us replace the bad reactions mentioned with the very best guidance available, the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam):

وإن أصابك شيء فلا تقل لو أني فعلت كذا لكان كذا وكذا لكن قل قدر الله وما شاء فعل…
“…And if something (bad) befalls you, do not say, ‘Had I only done such-and-such, then such-and-such would have happened, rather say: Qadrullaahi, wa maa shaa’ fa’ala (This is from the Qadr of Allaah, and He does whatever He wills).” [Muslim]  

Let us affirm everything we face as the Qadr of Allaah, submit to Allaah being pleased with the trial He (and no one else) has chosen for us, and be afraid of a bad reaction that would be written against us and handed to us on the Day of Account.

And Allaah knows best.

Written by: Moosaa Richardson

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The Relationship Between Supplication and Ramadhan

Yousuf Jaafar Idris
Reprinted from Islaam.com

Making dua is a part of the month of Ramadhan. The connection between the noble practice of supplicating to Allah and the honored month of Ramadhan is shown in the following ways.

The ayah of supplication is preceded and followed by ayaat of fasting (2:183-187).

183. O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,-

184. (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.

185. Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.

186. When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way.

187. Permitted to you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your garments and ye are their garments. Allah knoweth what ye used to do secretly among yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave you; so now associate with them, and seek what Allah Hath ordained for you, and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast Till the night appears; but do not associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques. Those are Limits (set by) Allah. Approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth Allah make clear His Signs to men: that they may learn self-restraint.

The Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) said that the du’a of the fasting one is accepted.

“Indeed for the fasting person, when he brakes his fast, is a supplication that will never be rejected.”

“Three people’s supplication will not be rejected: a just ruler, a fasting person until he brakes his fast, and an oppressed person.”

It is encouraged to make du’a in laylat’ul-qadr.

Aisha asked the Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) “What should I say on Laylat’il-qadr?” And he replied, “O Allah, indeed you are a Pardoner, and you love pardon; so pardon me.”

The Prophet (s.A.w.s.) supplicated all night before the battle of badr, which occurred during Ramadhan.

Manners of Supplication

Asking Allah alone

Do not make dua to anyone alongside Allah. (70:18)

Say (O Muhammad): I make dua unto Allah only, and I ascribe unto Him no partner. (70:20)

The Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) said, “Dua is worship.” Making dua is an act of worship; and directing one’s worship to other than Allah alone is major shirk, a sin which nullifies the person’s islam altogether.

Praising Allah at the beginning of the dua

The primary example of praising Allah before beseeching Him-subhanahu wa ta’ala- is in Surah al-Fatiha,

All praise is to Allah, Lord of the Worlds

The Beneficent, The Merciful,

Owner of the Day of Judgement

You alone we worship

And You alone we ask for help

Guide us on the straight path,

The path of those You favored,

Not of the on whom is wrath, nor the astray.

The Prophet was sitting in a masjid and a man came, and prayed, “O Allah, forgive me and have mercy on me.” So the Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) told him, “You were hasty. When you pray, praise Allah and send the salah on me, then ask Allah.”Another man came and he praised Allah and he sent the salah on the Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.); so he (s.A..a.w.s.) said, “O suppliant, ask Allah and your prayer will be answered.” (Narrated by at-Tirmidhi)

Sending the salah on the Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.)

“Every supplication will be denied until the suppliant prays upon the Prophet.” (hasan) NB. Not every dua should contain the salah upon the Prophet. In fact, he (s.A.a.w.s.) instructed his companions with several dua without the salah upon him (such as the dua of istikhara).

Repenting to Allah

Telling Allah about your situation

A mention of the mercy of thy Lord unto His servant Zakhariyyah—when he cried unto his Lord a cry in secret, saying, “My Lord! Lo! The bones of me wax feeble and my head is shining with grey hair, and I have never been unblest in prayer to Thee, my Lord. Lo! I fear my kinsfolk after me, since my wife is barren. Oh, give me from Thy presence a successor who shall inherit of me and inhereit of the house of Jacob. And make him, my Lord, acceptable (unto Thee).” (Maryam:2-6)

Al-Yaqeen and full awareness (“presence of the heart”)

The Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) said, “Ask Allah with certainty that He will answer your prayers, and know that Allah will not accept the supplication from an absent heart.”(hasan, at-Tirmidhi)

Asking Allah three times

“If you ask Allah for the jannah three times, the jannah will say, ‘O Allah, make him enter jannah.’ And if you ask Allah to protect you from hellfire three times, hellfire will say, ‘O Allah, protect him from the hellfire.’”

NB. Not every supplication should be performed thrice.

Having patience

Man prayeth for evil as he prayeth for good. [Isra:11]

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (s.A.w.s.) said, “The person’s supplication will be answered unless he asks for sin or severing the ties of kinship, except if the person is hasty.” Then the Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) was asked about hastiness. So the Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) described it as, “The person says, ‘I asked, and I have not seen the answer.’ Then he leaves dua.” (Sahih Muslim)

NB. It is not considered haste in dua to ask for a speedy answer.

Asking with persistence (Al-Ilhah ala Allah)

The Prophet (s.A.w.s.) said, “When you ask Allah, ask with confidence.”

Some of the early Muslims used to say that the suppliant should be like a child when you ask Allah, crying until you are answered.

Asking in secret

An example of this lies in the dua of Zakariyyah,

“A mention of the mercy of thy Lord unto His servant Zakhariyyah—when he cried unto his Lord a cry in secret.” (19:2)

Benefits of this secrecy include sincerity and belief in Allah’s attributes (Hearing, Seeing, Closeness).

Mentioning the result you expect from the fulfillment of the du’a

As in the surah,

“(Moses) said: My Lord! Relieve my mind and ease my task for me; and loose a knot from my tongue, that they may understand my saying. Appoint for me a henchman from my folk, Aaron, my brother. Confirm my strength with him. And let him share my task, that we may glorify Thee much, and much remember Thee. Lo! Thou art ever Seeing us.” [Ta Ha:29-34]

Omitting details in the actual request

Such as in the ayah,

“Our Lord, give us good in this world, good in the hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the fire.” (2:201)

Aisha narrated that the Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) used to like comprehensive supplications, and he would leave others. (Sahih, Abu Dawud)

One of the Sahaba saw his child asking, “O Allah, give me the right palace on the right side of jannah.” So he told his child, “Do not do that. Rather, ask Allah to enter you into jannah and to protect you from the fire.”

Tahaarah

It is better to have wudu when making dua.

Facing the qiblah

The Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.), when he climbed the Saffa and the Marwa, he would face the qiblah and make du’a.

To ask Allah by His names and attributes

Allah’s are the fairest names. Invoke Him by them. (7:180)

Raising the hands

Salman narrated from the Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.), “Surely Allah is Hayyee, and He loves to conceal the shortcomings of His servants. If His servant raises his hands, He does not let him go empty handed.”

NB. It is inappropriate to raise the hands in certain occasions of dua (i.e. during Friday khutbas) and sunnah upon other occasions (i.e. the dua for rain).

Not consuming Haram

On the authority of Abu Hurairah, The Messenger of Allah said,

“Allah the Almighty is good and accepts only that which is good. Allah has commanded the faithful to do that which he commanded the messengers, and the Almighty has said: ‘O ye messengers! Eat of the good things and do right.’ And Allah the Almighty has said, ‘O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you.’”

Then he (s.A.a.w.s.) mentioned [the case of] a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky [saying] : "O Lord! O Lord!" Meanwhile, his (the traveler’s) food is unlawful, his drink unlawful, his clothing unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully; so how can he be answered!

(Related by Muslim)

Thinking well of Allah (Husnu thun bi’llah)

When the wife of Imran said, “My Lord! I have vowed unto Thee that which is in my belly as a consecrated (offering). Accept it from me, Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Hearer, the Knower!” (3:38)

And your Lord hath said: Pray unto Me and I will hear your prayer. Lo! Those who scorn My service, they will enter hell, disgraced. (40:60)

An unto Thamud their brother Salih. He said, “O my people! Serve Allah, ye have no other God save Him. He brought you forth from the earth and hath made you husband it. So ask forgiveness of Him and turn unto Him repentant. Lo, my Lord is Nigh, Responsive. (11:61)

Hadith Qudsi: “I am as my servants thinks of me, and I am with him whenever he mentions me.”

Asking Allah by one’s good deeds

Bukhari and Muslim relate the hadith of the Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) of the story of three men, who each supplicated to Allah by a good deed they had done earlier in their lives. As the story goes, “Three persons of a people before you were on a journey when they were overtaken by a storm and therefore they took shelter in a cave. A rock slipped down from the mountain and blocked the exit from the cave. One of them said, ‘The only way for deliverance left is to beseech Allah in the name of some virtuous deed.’” One of the men mentioned a good deed which they had done for Allah, and supplicated, “O Lord, if I did this thing seeking only Thy pleasure, then do Thou relieve us of the distress wrought upon us by this rock.” The rock moved, but not enough to free the men. So, the other two made similar supplications by their good deeds until the rock moved enough to free them.

Asking Allah in times of ease

The Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) said, “Whoever is pleased that Allah answers his prayers during hardships and difficulties, let him make much supplication in times of ease.”(Hasan, at-Tirmidhi)

Choosing favored places.

For example, the Saffa and Marwa in Mecca are favored places, since the Prophet (sA.a.w.s.) made dua there.

Choosing favored times

The last third of the night is a favored time because Allah descends to the lowest heaven in that time and says, “Is there anyone asking for something so that I may grant him.”

Another favored time is between the adhan and iqamah, as the Prophet (sA.a.w.s.) told Anas, “Supplication between adhan and iqamah will never be rejected. So call upon Allah at that time.” (Authentic, Ibn Khuzaimah).

Another favored time is in sujud, as the Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) said, “The servant is closest to his Lord while in sujud, so ask Allah in that time.”

Friday is also a preferred, especially in the last hour before maghrib.

Also, while the roosters crow, since the Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) said, “When you hear the crowing of the rooster ask Allah from His favors because it saw an angel. And if you hear the braying of a donkey, seek refuge with Allah because it saw a devil.”

Since the Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) said, “Two supplications will not be rejected: the supplication during adhan and under rain,” (hasan) then these two times are preferred for dua.

Supplication on Laylat’ul-Qadr, since it is a blessed and honored time. Aisha asked the Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) “What should I say on Laylat’il-qadr?” And he replied, “O Allah, indeed you are a Pardoner, and you love pardon; so pardon me.”

Umm Salamah said, the Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) entered when Abu Salamah was dying and he was looking at the heaven. So the Prophet (s.A.a.w.s.) closed his eyes and said, “When the soul is being seized, the eyes follow it.” Then some people from his relatives panicked. The Prophet (s.A.a.w.s) said, “Do not make du’a except for good. Indeed the angels will say, ‘Ameen’ for whatever you say. O Allah, fogive Abu Salamah, and raise his rank, and forgive us and forgive him, O Lord of the Universe, and expand his grave and illuminate it.”

Always remembering whom you are asking

You are asking Allah, Who loves to be asked, Who does not tire of suppliants, and He is Closest to you.

Miscellaneous Issues Related to Dua

Making dua for others

You can make dua for Others. The Prophet, sala Allahu alaihi wa salam, said“Whenever you make a supplication for another believer and he is not present, an angel will say ‘and same to you.’” One of the ethics when making dua to others is that, if you are going to make dua to yourself and others, start with yourself first, then you make dua to others. But if you are going to make dua for others only, then you don’t have to mention yourself first. An example of starting with one’s self is seen is the verse, “And those who came after them say, ‘Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who were before us in the faith…’” (59:10)

Wiping the face after making dua

It was never narrated that the Messanger of Allah, sala Allahu alaihi wa salam, wiped his honorable face during Salah, such as in Witr. If it is after Salah, the scholars of Hadith have differed in the Authenticity of the Hadiths regarding this issue, the correct opinion, inshallah, is that they are all inauthentic.Therefore it is better not to wipe the face after making dua. (There is a detailed research by the Muhaddith Sheikh Bakr Abu Zaid about this issue). And Allah knows best.

Making dua against oneself

Don’t make Dua’a against yourself or against your children.

The Prophet, sala Allahu alaihi wa salam, said, “Don’t make dua against yourselves. Don’t make dua against your children. Don’t make dua against your maids. And don’t make dua against your wealth. It might be in a time in which Allah answers the prayers.” (Authentic, Abu Dauood)

Dua for victory

When ye sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): I will help you with a thousand of the angels, rank on rank. Allah appointed it only as good tidings, and that your hearts thereby might be at rest. Victory cometh only by the help of Allah. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise. (8:9-10)

It’s from the Sunnah to make dua for the Muslims all over the world, especially in the month of victory, the month of Ramadhan. The Prophet, sala Allahu alaihi wa salam, made dua at the night before the Battle of Badr, which took place in the month of Ramadhan, until his upper garment fell. By dawn, he came with the glad tiding from Allah, tala, to the believers, concerning their enemies, “Their multitude will be put to flight, and they will show their backs. Nay but the Hour is their appointed time, and the Hour will be more grievous and more bitter.” (54:45-46)

Supplication of the Prophet, sala Allahu alaihi wa salam

The prophet, sala Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said that: “Every messenger has a Supplication that will be accepted, and I have saved my Supplication as a Shafaa Intersession for my Nation on the Day of Judgment.”

May Allah make us among those who follow and emulate His Prophet, sala Allahu alaihi wa salam, till they receive his intersession on the Day of Judgment. We beg Allah, tala, that He forgives the ones who wrote this article, and forgives the Muslims among their parents. May He benefit the readers, and guide them to the path of His beloved. We ask Allah by His most beautiful names to show mercy to those who spread guidance and stand together upon the truth. Ameen.

Subhanaka Allahumma wa behamdik. Ash’hadu a’laa ilaha illa Annt. Astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk.

Note: To contact the author, you can email him at supplication@yahoo.com

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