Effectively Planning Your Du`a’

the following has been written by Abu Yusuf Ismail

If I told you that I could give you whatever you wished and allowed you to have one week’s time to decide what you wanted, would you plan for it? I believe you would.

We plan for the things that are important in life, for the things we want most. From job interviews, to choosing spouses, to picking out furniture for the house, we plan for things that are important.

So what about our du`a’ (supplication)?

Is not our du`a’ a way to receive what we ask for? Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) is the One that provides everything in our lives and asking Him is the most important thing we can do, but how often do we actually plan for it? Du`a’ too often becomes only a spur of the moment thing rather than a comprehensive list of things we wish for the most.

With Ramadan upon us, now is the best time to really put our minds to what we wish to ask the Creator of the heavens and the earth. I would like to share some ways to do so most effectively from my own personal experience.

Others have playlists, Muslims have praylists

For the past 4 years, before the beginning of every Ramadan, I have made a special, organized, and comprehensive list of du`a’. The list would consist of 8 to 10 things that I desired the most, both in dunya (world) and in the akhirah (Hereafter). Every day of Ramadan, I would pray for them at the times that du`a’ are most likely to be accepted. I call these my praylists.

As Muslims, we make du`a’ to Allah (swt) everyday. We make du`a’ right when we wake up, before every meal, every time we raise our hands and recite Surah Fatiha, and so much more. Why then make a special list of du`a’? Developing a praylist helps one focus and reflect.

Focusing on a specific list of du`a’ helps remind oneself of his/her needs and ambitions. By listing and repeating the items on the list, every single day, it not only assures that one does not forget all his wishes but it reinforces the pursuit of each one. For example, if I have always wanted to improve my tajweed (recitation of the Qur’an), by asking for help from Allah to do so everyday encourages me to put my words into practice.

Reflection of du`a’s allows one to appreciate what Allah (swt) has granted them. I can personally attest to this. There have been items on my past praylists that have been answered in ways that I could never imagine. It’s incredible. I look back and cannot believe I have received so many of the things I asked so desperately for. Allah (swt) truly does not leave the hands of a believer empty when raised to Him.

The time is now

Now that Ramadan is upon us again, I am excited to develop another praylist for the blessed month and I would love to encourage you all to do the same.

As an incentive, I remind myself and others, that our Prophet ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Allah is angry with those who do not ask Him for anything” (Tirmidhi). Why make Him mad?

Here are effective ways to plan your du`a’ to make the best out of your praylist:

1. Write it all down

• Take some time to actually write out your praylist. Do so in a format which is most accessible for you to review. You can write them on a small piece of paper to place in your wallet or purse, or if you’re like me, you can type them into your phone’s notes application.
• There shouldn’t be any limit on the size of the list, as long as it is manageable. If the list is so long that it becomes a burden to repeat more than once a day, it’s then best to shorten it.
• If you are weary of writing out your praylist because you wish to keep some or all of the items private, you should still write it out but then only list keywords that remind you of each item.

2. Ask anything & everything that is good

• When choosing your items, imagine that Allah is asking you to ask Him for anything and everything you’ve ever wanted! Imagine the possibilities. From self improvement, to material things, to bettering relationships in your life, write down everything you want to ask Allah with no limitations other then keeping each item halal. Remember, you’re asking Al-Mujeeb! The One Who Responds and is the Supreme Answerer.
• Learn Prophetic and Qur’anic du`a’s to include as well.

3. Organize

• Organize items in your praylist into different categories. I use the categories: dunya, akhirah, `ibadah (worship), the ummah (Muslim community), and relationships. Once each item is sorted, you’ll notice that some categories may be lacking than others. Adjust and add du`a’s where necessary. This will ensure that your praylist is all encompassing of your needs.

4. Make du`a’ when they are most likely answered

• These times include right before breaking the fast, during your salah (prayer) in sujood (prostration), after the obligatory prayers, Qiyam ul-layl (night prayer), and the last 10 nights. At the least, everyday of Ramadan, I always make sure to make du`a’ before breaking my fast during iftaar.

5. Remember the etiquettes of du`a’

• There is a right and proper way to make du`a’. Remember that we must praise Allah (swt) first, ask for peace and blessings upon our Prophet ﷺ and then make our du`a’.

So go on, take some time to think of what things you want the most. This time next year, you’ll be surprised how many items on your list Allah has directly or indirectly granted you insha’Allah (God-willing).

If you have any tips you’d like to share, please provide them in the comments.

I pray we all have a meaningful and successful Ramadan full of barakah (blessings). May Allah (swt) preserve us all to reap the benefits of such a Holy month and bring us closer to Him. May He give us all strength, knowledge, patience and humility. Ameen.

Taken from SuhaibWebb.com

Ramadhan Break

Assalamu Alaykum,

We are taking a break during this blessed month in order to engage in our own worship respectively. Therefore we shall not be writing any articles as such during this month unless one of our authors feel an itch in their fingers. There are some nice talks and videos for you to listen to from our respected and beloved Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim sahib. Please click on the banner above to be directed towards them. May Allah 'azza wa jal reward you all. Ameen.

EXCLUSIVE: Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim - I'tikaf 2009 CD - Buy Now

Alhamdulillah by the grace of Allah Ta'ala, exclusive to Jamal ul Iman is the sale of Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim Sahib's I'tikaf programme 2009. During the last 10 days of Ramadhan, Hazrat Maulana lit up Masjid e Quba (Cazenove Road) with his passionate and enthralling Tafaseer & Islahi lectures. People from all over London would come just to listen to Hazrat. The CD is now available for purchase at the cheap price of only £10. If you would like to purchase a copy or make an enquiry, please email jamaluliman@hotmail.co.uk and we will take it from there!

Please note: SOLD OUT!


CD1 - English Tafseer

Track 1 - Day 1 – Surah Ahzab, Surah Saba, Surah Fatir
Track 2 - Day 2 – Surah Yasin, Saaffat, Surah Saad
Tract 3 - Day 3 – Surah Zumar, Surah Ghafir, Surah Haa Meem Sajdah
Track 4- Day 4 – Surah Ash Shura, Surah Zukhruf, Surah Dukhan, Surah Jathiyya
Track 5 - Day 5 – Surah Ahqaaf, Surah Muhamad, Surah Fath, Surah Hujuraat, Surah Qaaf
Track 6 - Day 6 – Surah Dhariyaat, Surah Tur, Surah Qamar, Surah Najm, Surah Rahman, Surah Waqiah, Surah Hadeed
Track 7 - Day 7 – Surah Mujadalah, Surah Hashr, Surah Mumtahanah, Surah Jummuah, Surah Munafiqun, Surah Taghabun
Track 8 - Day 8 – 29th Juz
Track 9 - Day 9 – Qur’an Khatam

CD 2 - Urdu Bayaan

Track 1 - Day 1 – Ramadhan ki fazeelat
Track 2 - Day 2 – Durud Sharif ki fazeelat aur ita’at e rasul salallahu alayhi wa salam
Track 3 - Day 3 – Qur’an parne ki fazeelat
Track 4 - Day 4 – Da’wat ki wazaahat
Track 5 - Day 5 – Dua ki ehmiyat
Track 6 - Day 6 – Dua ka tareeqa aur masnoon dua’ayein
Track 7 - Day 7 – Surah Shams ki tafseer
Track 8 - Day 8 – Mashaikh ki suhbat
Track 9 - Day 9 – Saadiqeen ke saat raho
Track 10 - Day 10 – Aakhri naseehat

CD 2 - Specials

Track 11 - Etiquettes of I’tikaf
Track 12 - Jummuah Bayaan – Jummuah ki fazeelat
Track 13 - Bayaan for Women 1 (English)
Track 14 - Bayaan for Women 2 (Urdu)
Track 15 - Bayaan for Women 3 (English)
Track 16 - Dhikr Majlis Reasoning
Track 17 - Jummuah Khutba (Arabic)
Track 18 - Special Programme for Ulama
Track 19 - Special Q&A for the Youth
Track 20 - Naat – Abd e Bekar – Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim Sahib (DB)
Track 21 - Naat – Dil badal dei - Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim Sahib (DB)
Track 22 - Naat – Ma’bood Haqeeqi - Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim Sahib (DB)
Track 23 - Naat – Jee chata hai – Rajeshtani Scholar
Track 24 - Naat – Zikr – Rajeshtani Scholar

After Ramadhan

"Imagine a plain, like a vast empty field and rain is pouring down upon this field. After a few days the soil will dry and it will seem as though it never rained at all. After a few weeks or months you will start to see plants grow on that same land due to the rain that fell. The field is us, the Muslims. The rain is Ramadhan. Our bodies soaked up the water of Ramadhan and just because the blessed month is over do not think that there is no change or benefit in our condition. The fruits and vegetables which we planted in the month of Ramadhan will be harvested in Jannah and that is when you will see the rewards for your efforts in this month." (Shaykh Maseehullah Khan)

The month of Ramadhan went as quickly as it came. Whether we will be alive for the next Ramadhan we don't know but do not think that any of your ibadat or duas that you made in this blessed month were not accepted or counted. Some people tend to go back to how they were before this month started and then they lose hope in Allah Ta'ala and think that Allah Ta'ala hates them or is angry with them and because of that their condition didn't change and that their whole month of fasting went to waste along with all their tarawih and other acts of ibadat that they did, but this is not correct. Ramadhan wasn't just for the pious people to benefit from, it was there for everyone to benefit from. No matter how small your ibadat was you will see the reward of it in the hereafter.

A muslim should always keep good thoughts of his Creator. In our minds and hearts we should say, "Allah Ta'ala is happy with me, Rasullulah sallalahu alayhi wasalam is happy with me, my parents are happy with me, the ulama are happy with me, my ustaadhs and teachers are happy with me and the mashaaikh are happy with me." Why? because if a person keeps good thoughts like these flowing in his mind it will create a desire to keep on progressing in his Deen and Islam no matter what. If you keep commit a certain sin, then make taubah, some sort of repentance and istighfar and have hope that Allah the Most Merciful has accepted your repentance each time. Even if you think you don't know how to do taubah properly then just still do your taubah whatever way possible and explain to Allah Ta'ala that you don't know how to do taubah properly and to accept your efforts. Allah Ta'ala is The Most Patient and Most Forgiving. If you have still been given time to live after commiting a sin then you have also been given the time to make taubah and stay away from that which Allah Ta'ala dislikes.

If a person commits a sin and thinks that Allah Ta'ala is angry with him and won't forgive him then he will lose hope and to him it won't make a difference if he misses his salaah or doesn't pay his zakaat because to him he will think that it won't make a difference and that Allah Ta'ala won't accept whatever he does anyway. So eventually he will lose any interest in doing good deeds of any sort because to himself he will view his bad deeds as soo great that to himself he will think, "How can Allah forgive me after all that which I have done? What difference will it make if I miss another salaah when I missed my fajr this morning?". If you actually think about it really and truly we shouldn't even be alive at this moment of time because of the amount of sins we commit on a day to day basis are soo great in number that we deserve to be destroyed or punished straight away. But no, by the Mercy and Patience of Allah we are still alive and breathing so by His Mercy we will also be forgiven. Therefore, we should try and make use of whatever time we have left and seek forgiveness from Allah Ta'ala for whatever mistakes we commited and also give thanks to Allah Ta'ala by doing good deeds for giving us the time to live and the chance to make taubah about the things which we may have done.

May Allah Ta'ala grant us all steadfastness and taufeeq to do good deeds. Ameen.

To end this post I will write a qoute that crossed my mind whilst writing this peice.

"...It is only by the Mercy of Allah that you are alive and well today,
...and it will only be by the Mercy of Allah that you will enter Jannah tommorow..."