‘...and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy’

I have been thinking to write on the subject of Dua from long but laziness took over.

I think I was in grade 2 when I read in an Urdu book, ‘jooti ka tasma b toot jae to Allah se mango’ (Ask from your lord, even If your shoelace is broken). And somehow, I have been a firm believer of this statement since then. I remember when I used to ask for literally everything from Allah (SWT) from a red car to achar (pickle) in lunch.

Dua is usually perceived as asking for something from God. Recently, in Quran in Surah Maryam, I read about mother of Maryam A.S, having conversation with Allah (SWT) when she was expecting. The expressions which are used in Quran made me feel so good. She wasn’t really asking for anything but she would just go on about telling Him stuff that she’s been thinking about and what she would do once she gives birth to her child. This reminded me of the literal meaning of Dua, which is, to call upon. So what I believe is you don’t particularly need to sit down on a prayer mat or go to the mosque to ask for what you want. It is all about having conversation with the One whether you are lying on the bed having stupid thoughts or you are in class, daydreaming.

This blog may sound so lame to someone who doesn’t believe in praying, and also to someone who does have faith in it, for being so obvious. But I had to write it anyway.

In Quran, Allah says:  

أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ

 ‘I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.’ [2: 186]

This verse is so satisfying. The word أُجِيبُ has the meaning of responding and providing with what someone is asking for in it. How can one not believe in praying or lose hope that his prayers might not be answered, when it is stated this clearly in Quran.

Quran tells us about Duas of different prophets. This one from Musa A.S is my favorite. 

رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنْزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ

"My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need." [28:24]

The word فَقِيرٌ used here is translated in English as ‘in need’. This word is used for beggar when used as noun. The beauty of this word used in this particular Dua gives me so much pleasure. Think of it. How does a beggar beg? He would praise you, would tell you his problems, would tell you how beautiful everything is that you own, would tell you to give him what he is asking for because you have beautiful kids and wife, AND won’t leave until you give him what he is asking for. This encourages me to make Dua from Allah (SWT) like a beggar, praising Him, telling Him all the problems, talking about things He has created beautifully, and not leaving until I get what I am asking for.

I don’t get to whom else we can go if not Allah (SWT). We just need to have faith that we will get what we want, and ask for it knowing He is the owner of the whole universe and He owns what we want. Also, there are times when we pray with ifs and buts. What’s the point of making Dua if we have to say, O lord! Give it to me "if this is good for me". Why don’t we ask for what we need and the good in it as well? The One who has the power to provide us with what we want, also has the power to make it good for us in every aspect.

Have faith, Ask for it. May all your prayers be answered : )