Friday Sermon - The Importance of Supplication (Du’a)

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Friday March 4, 2011

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“And when (O Messenger) My servants ask you about Me, then surely I am near: I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he prays to Me. So let them respond to My call (without hesitation), and believe and trust in Me (in the way required of them), so that they may be guided to spiritual and intellectual excellence and right conduct.” Surah Baqarah (2:186).

 

Esteemed Muslims!

The most valuable moment in human life is the time when one faces Allah and is alone with one’s Creator. Supplication is the best way to be alone with our Creator. “Supplication is the essence of worship.” (1)

Supplication is a powerful connection between Allah and His servants. Distancing one’s self from prayer will lead to the deterioration of a person’s relationship with Allah, and thus cause indolence in their religious life. Particularly in today’s world, where there is so much that can cause our hearts to harden, a devotion to prayer is of even greater importance.

Living with prayer is living as if one can see Allah. Regardless of the fact that we cannot see Him, He can see us.  Prayer is a discipline that allows a human being to be together with Allah and helps a believer develop a life that is spiritually vigorous. Time is a great blessing and trust that has been given to humanity. It is prayers that allow a believer to keep time alive. Every moment and every action of a person who lives a life immersed in prayer is laden with awareness. The mercy of Allah envelops a believer like a spring breeze. They do not forget Allah at any time of their day. No matter what they are engaged in, their heart and essence is with their Creator. Their worldly tasks and chores do not prevent them from the remembrance of Allah. Nothing, neither trade nor shopping, prevents the believer from remembering Allah (2). While gaining worldly profits on the one hand, their heart is with He Who loves them, protects and watches over them. In this state, the believer physically manifests the verse, “Remember me so that I may remember you...” (3) with their actions.

Inherent in not forgetting Allah is the fact that the believer will find it difficult to commit a sin or violate the boundaries that have been set by Allah. The believer contemplates the value that has been given to them and desires to protect the beauty of the situation in which they find themselves. They are aware that such a move will mean holding a to match to his own peace of mind.

Esteemed Muslims!

Can there be a joy greater than attaining the love and mercy of the One Who can hear us when no one else can; the One Who sees us when no one else can; the One Who knows the intentions, thoughts and secrets we have, thoughts and secrets which nobody else is aware of; the One Who can help us when no one else possibly can; the One Who takes note of us when nobody else cares for us? Prayer is turning to the source of this love and mercy. In this regard, life with prayer is life with peace of mind. It is leading a life in which one comprehends what Allah Almighty says: “Pray to me, so that I may answer you.” (4)

Allah does not look at forms or shapes; He looks into our hearts. If one’s heart is filled with evil, then He will not value it. It is for this reason that Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) said: “Allah does not accept the suppliation of an unguarded heart.” (5)

Supplication is the essence and spirit of worship. In the most comprehensive form of worship, the daily prayers, Surah Fatiha is read during each prayer cycle. Believers who perform their prayers read Surah Fatiha every day during their prayers; this is a part of the daily worship and encompasses all forms of dhikr, the remembrance of Allah. Surah Al Fatiha, which is regarded as the key to the Holy Qur’an, contains the most beautiful sentences of prayer, and thus the Muslim is constantly immersed in prayers. This is proof of how much a believer must be continuously involved with prayer.

I would like to conclude my words with a hadith: “The difference between those who remember their Creator and those who do not is like [the difference between] the living and the dead.” (6) 

Footnotes

1. Tirmidhi, Daawat, 3247.

2. Nur, 24/37.

3. Baqarah, 2/152.

4. Mü’min (Ghafir), 40/60.

5. Tirmidhi, Daawat, 64.

6. Bukhari, Daawat, 66.