Section: Etiquette of making dua

1. The one who is making dua should believe in Tawheed with regard to the divinity, Lordship, names and attributes of Allaah. His heart should be filled with Tawheed. In order for Allaah to respond to the dua, it is essential that the person should be responding to his Lord by obeying Him and not disobeying Him.2. Sincerity towards Allaah alone in making dua.3. We should ask of Allaah by His most beautiful names. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allaah, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names” [al-A’raaf 7:180]4. We should praise Allaah as He deserves before we call upon Him. Al-Tirmidhi (3476) narrated that Fadaalah ibn ‘Ubayd (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: Whilst the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) was sitting, a man came in and prayed and said, “O Allaah, forgive me and have mercy on me.” The Messenger of Allaah (S) said, “You have been too hasty, O worshipper. When you have prayed and are sitting, praise Allaah as He deserves to be praised, and send blessings upon me, then call upon Him.” According to another version (3477): “When one of you prays, let him start with praise of Allaah, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ), then let him ask whatever he likes after that.” Then another man prayed after that, and he praised Allaah and sent blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “O worshipper, ask and you will be answered.” [Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 2765, 2767]5. Sending blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Every dua is kept back until you send blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ).” [Narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Awsat, 1/220; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 4399]6. Facing towards the qiblah. Muslim (1763) narrated that The Prophet of Allaah (ﷺ) turned to face the qiblah, then he stretched forth his hands and started to cry out to his Lord: “O Allaah, grant me what You have promised me, O Allaah, give me what You have promised me. O Allaah, if this small band of Muslims perishes, You will not be worshipped on earth.”al-Nawawi (Ra) said in Sharh Muslim: This shows that it is mustahabb to face towards the qiblah when making dua, and to raise the hands.7. Raising the hands. Abu Dawood (1488) narrated that Salmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “Your Lord, may He be blessed and exalted, is Kind and Most Generous, and He is too kind to let His slave, if he raises his hands to Him, bring them back empty.” [Classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 1320]8. Having certain faith that Allaah will respond, and focusing with proper presence of mind, because the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Call upon Allaah when you are certain of a response, and remember that Allaah will not answer a dua that comes from a negligent and heedless heart.” [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3479; classed as hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 2766]9. Asking frequently. A person should ask his Lord for whatever he wants of the good things in this world and the Hereafter, and he should beseech Allaah in dua, and not seek a hasty response, because the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The slave will receive a response so long as his dua does not involve sin or severing of family ties, and so long as he is not hasty.” It was said, “What does being hasty mean?” He said: “When he says, ‘I made dua and I made dua, and I have not seen any response,’ and he gets frustrated and stops making dua.” [Narrated by al-Bukahari, 6340; Muslim, 2735]10. He should be firm in his dua, because the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “No one of you should say, ‘O Allaah, forgive me if You wish, O Allaah, have mercy on me if You wish’; he should be firm in his asking, for Allaah cannot be compelled.” [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6339; Muslim, 2679]11. Beseeching, humility, hope and fear. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret” [al-A’raaf 7:55]12. Saying duas three times. Al-Bukhaari (240) and Muslim (1794) narrated that when he made dua or asked of Allaah he would repeat it three times.13. Ensuring that one’s food and clothing are good (i.e., halaal). Muslim (1015) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “O people, Allaah is Good and does not accept anything but that which is good.14. Saying dua silently and not out loud. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret” [al-A’raaf 7:55]