Salaam!

Tis the final one ladies and gents! I knw..lets take a moment..ok moment gone!

(I didn't make a seperate blog for the conclusion even though long, cos 20's such a nice round nr, dont ya think? Anyhoo! Don't feel obliged to read it all in one go or be put of from reading it all together! That would be a shame since its a nice read and you've come this far, might as well finish it!)

September 19th: Chapter 16 - Innovations of Du'a

1. Habitually Reading Specified Du'as which are not Found in the Sunnah

So habitually reciting a certain du'a at regular times and intervals. One who performs du'a in this manner destroys the whole purpose of du'a - that of feeling poverty to Allah and showing sincerity and need to is Creator- when one parrots the same phrases hundreds of times in the course of a few days or weeks

2. Kissing One's Thumbs and Rubbing One's Eyes with them

It is common for people to do this when the prophet's(saw) name is mentioned. The basis of this act is a fabricated narration on the authority of Khidr, the Companion of Musa (as) but the chain of narrators is unknown.

3. Du'a in a Group

This is only permissible during certain occasions, such as the khutbah on Friday or during the Witr prayer

4. To Clasp One's Hands to One's Chest During Du'a

This is contrary to the proper manner of du'a as the sunnah is to ask with the palms outwards.

5. Tawassul with the Status of the Prophet(saw)

6. To Specify the Unspecified

What is meant by this is that a person specifies a certain time, place or a certain du'a that is not specified by the Shari'ah. So to make a habit of making du'a on say the 12th of Rabi al-Awal or at a certain location, is an innovation. Likwise, to specify a particular du'a before or after doing an act is also considered an innovation (unless such a specification is found in the sunnah.

Another example that is common is that during the tawaf (circumambulation around the Ka'bah) many people read specific du'as for each round, believing that this is part of the sunnah.

Other examples include making a New Year's wish or doing the same whilst blowing out candles etc.

The opposite of this principle is also true.If a specific du'a has been narrated in the sunnah for a specific occasion or a certain act, then it should not be used habitually except for the circumstance it has been narrated for. E.g. the du'a for entering the mosque should not be used every time someone enters a house or other structure etc

7. The Statment "May Allah Establish it and Preserve it"

This statement is made by many people after the statement of the mu'adhin: The prayer has been established". However, the basis of it is a weak narration

******CONCLUSION******

Du'a is a treasure that all people can possess, yet so few strive to achieve. It is a light that one can use to guide onself out of the darkest dilemma that one may be in. It is the wind that lifts the sails of one's hope and pushes one forth to one's destination. It is the sword that he can use to fight any and every enemy impeding's one path.

So ask yourself: what is the status of this affair in your life? How often do you turn to Allah? And for what matters do you turn to Him? How sincere are you in your requests? And do you ask Allah properly, conforming with the pre-requisites and etiquettes of du'a?

Or do you ask and ask, but do not care about the ways that you have blocked its response? Are you heedless of Allah, and turn to Him at times of need, only to forget Him when your du'a is answered?

Or do you despair of His infinite Mercy and Wisdom when your du'a is not responded to, forgetting and ignoring the countless other blessings that He has given you, and presuming of Allah evil thoughts?

Ponder over the answers to these questions and change your life accordingly to better the situation that you are in.

O you who does not turn to Allah at all, feeling himself to sinful to a merit a response! Are you worse than Iblis? For verily, if Allah can respond to his du'a, then surely you have more right to be responded to. Are you not aware of the vast treasures of Allah, and that He is al-Karim, the Ever-Generous?

Did He not create you out of nothing, and guide you to islam and bless you with so many blessings that you cannot even count them?

And if He gave all that you, without you even asking Him, then how much more will He give you when you raise your hands up to Him, seeking His Pleasure, believing in Him as your Rabb?

So ask Him and continue to ask Him, and the first matter that you should ask Him for is guidance, for verily it is the primary goal that you strive for.

O you who are in distress! Despair not of finding a solution to your problems. Verily, there is nothing that can overcome a sincere du'a, for Allah is capable of all things. And know that the response to the du'a will be proportionate to your sincerity to Allah.

If you desire a goal with such fervour and passion, then take the necessary precautions to obtain it. Make sure that you have asked Allah having fulfilled the conditions of du'a and ensure that you have removed any obstacles and impediments in the way of response.

O you whose du's is yet to be answered! Do not let Shaytan come between you and the response of your du'a. Be certain and have full faith that Allah will, of a surety respond to you but only if you have fulfilled the proper conditions of du'a/

Examine your own situation, and see if perhaps you have not blocked the response to your du'a by your own sins and actions. Ponder over the goal that you desire, and see whether it is possible that what you desire is in fact harmful for you, and Allah in His Infinite Wisdom and Mercy is depriving you of it for your own good.

If you fully believe with your heart that Allah is al-Mannan the One Who Gives Continously and Generously. So when you are dealing with One whose characteristics are these, then what do you fear?

O you who has had his du'a answered, and has seen the effects of his plea! Beware of forgetting your state when you were calling out to Allah, hopeful of a response, fearful of rejection. Remember your sincerity to Allah at that time and be careful not to let Shaytan cause to become heedless again.

Now that Allah has answered your du'a, it is incumbent on you to thank Him by increasing your worship of Him, and leaving the sins that you are doing. And beware of acting like the kafir, who when he needs Allah, calls out to Him in all sincerity, but when his du'a is answered, forgets the state that he was in, and leaves the worship of Allah.

Verily, your journey is long, and the perils are many. Your destination is far, and the path is treacherous. So utilise your du'a. Use it to ward off the evil of yourself and the evil of your enemies, and the evil that is destined for you. And use it to strive to reach your every goal and struggle to arrive at your desired destination.

Du'a is your sharpest sword and your strongest weapon.