Ethics of Dū’ā

From Ahsanul wī-a' lī-adābid-Du'ā:

Ethic 1

As far as possible, empty the heart of all foreign thoughts.

Rida:
The focal point of Allah Almighty’s Divine concentration is the heart.

It is stated in Hadīth:

Verily, Allah Almighty does not look at your faces and your wealth, but He looks at your
hearts and actions.1

Ethic 2

The body, clothes and place of Dū’ā must be clean, tidy and pure.

Rida:
It is stated: Allah Almighty is pure and loves purity.2

Ethic 3

Before making Dū’ā indulge in virtuous acts to attract the Mercy of Allah Almighty.

Rida:
Secret charity in this regard is rated most effective.

Ethic 4

If there are any rights of anyone upon you, fulfil them or have them pardoned from those
concerned.

Rida:
To hang a garland of demands of people around your neck and then raise your hands in Du’a is
similar to a person who goes to begin the court of a king while his creditors and victims of abuse
swamp him with demands and justice. Some say ‘he stole my money’, some say ‘he abused me’,
some say ‘he usurped my property’, etc. you be the judge! Is such a person worthy of assistance
or fit to be thrown into the gallows?

Ethic 5

Always abstain from Harām foods, drinks, clothing and transactions. Transactions refers to
business and all other work. This is so because generally the Dū’ās of one who eats and indulges
in Harām is rejected.

1 Cited in the Sahīh of Imām Muslim, Hadīth 6495, on the authority of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah.
2 Reported in the Sunan of Imām at-Tirmizī, on the authority of Sayyidunā Sa’īd bin Musayyab.
Ethic 6

Repent from all previous sins before making a Dū’ā.

Rida:
To be steadfast on disobedience and request for favours is impudence.

Ethic 7

If it is not a forbidden time of Salāh, perform two Rakāts with absolute sincerity of the heart as
this attracts Divine Mercy and such mercy produces heavenly favours.

Ethic 8

When making Dū’ā, be in [the state of] Wudhū, face the Qiblah direction and sit in the [position]
of Attahiyyāt, or the kneeling posture.

Rida:
Or with an intention of Shukr for being blessed with the Tawfīq of Dū’ā, plead to Allah Almighty
in the sajdah posture. This state is the closest to the Divine Proximity of the Real Absolute.
Regarding such sajdah, the Ulamā comment:

Therefore, it is Haram according to Imām Shâfi’î rađiyAllāhu ánhu to make a sajdah for
no reason and Imām Abū Hanīfah rađiyAllāhu ánhu says that there is no harm in it
besides, such sajdah is Mubah.