What does the Quran teach us about dua? Apparently it’s not as simple as asking for a favor. The Message assumes that we approach dua with certain necessary attitudes— and that we leave it positively transformed. Let’s take a brief survey.

1- Speak Only to the One Who Will Answer

It’s difficult for we mere humans to grasp, but the idols that we can see and touch are powerless to aid us, whereas the one who responds to our supplications can’t be physically sensed. Remain true to tawheed and remember that nothing is comparable to Allah.

It is You we worship and You we ask for help. (Quran 1:5)

They said, ‘We worship idols and remain to them devoted.’ He said, ‘Do they hear you when you supplicate?’ (Quran 26:71-72)

And your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you’ . . . (Quran 40:60)

And those you call upon besides Him are unable to help you, nor can they help themselves. (Quran 7:197)

2- Be Hopeful, Reverent, Humble, and Submissive

So We responded to him, and We gave to him John, and amended for him his wife. Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive. (Quran 21:90)

And We had gripped them with suffering [as a warning], but they did not yield to their Lord, nor did they humbly supplicate, [and will continue thus]. (Quran 23:76)

Call upon your Lord in humility and privately; indeed, He does not like transgressors. (Quran 7:55)

3- Make Dua Continuously— Not Just When You’re in Trouble

Allah demands constant contact with you; He’s not to be forgotten once He’s granted your request.

And when they board a ship, they supplicate Allah, sincere to Him in religion. But when He delivers them to the land, at once they associate others with Him. (Quran 29:65)

4- Honor Others Who Make Dua

Those who appeal to Allah on a regular basis form a kind of family. Your family. Don’t ignore them!

And do not send away those who call upon their Lord morning and afternoon, seeking His countenance. Not upon you is anything of their account and not upon them is anything of your account. So were you to send them away, you would [then] be of the wrongdoers. (Quran 6:52)

5- Rest Firm in Your Belief

They will say, ‘Did there not come to you your messengers with clear proofs?’ They will say, ‘Yes.’ They will reply, ‘Then supplicate [yourselves], but the supplication of the disbelievers is not except in error.’ (Quran 40:50)

6- Give Zakah

Prayer and zakah form a strong partnership!

And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].  (Quran 2:43)

7- Be Patient— the Answer Doesn’t Always Arrive Quickly, or in the Form You Demanded

And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]. (Quran 2:45)

8- When He Grants Your Dua, Respond With Greater Righteousness

Knowing that the Compassionate responded to your dua should result in a profound gratitude and increased efforts to live your life in a way that pleases Him.

And [recall] when Moses prayed for water for his people, so We said, ‘Strike with your staff the stone.’ And there gushed forth from it twelve springs, and every people knew its watering place. ‘Eat and drink from the provision of Allah, and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.’ (Quran 2:60)

May your life be lived in such a way as to make your dua acceptable to the only one who’ll respond with an infinite love. Ameen.

Republished from Understand Quran.