The following are excerpts from the Friday Sermon delivered on November 10, 2023, as published by the UAE Awqaf.
1. Connection Through Dua
In the diverse array of Islamic worship practices, one ritual stands out prominently — supplication (Dua) to Allah. Laden with immense rewards, Dua is a powerful form of connection with Allah. The Quran provides numerous examples of prophets invoking Allah, demonstrating the profound impact of sincere prayers.
2. impact of sincere Dua.
Noohu called upon Allah, and He answered, averting a disastrous event. Similarly, Ibrahim u and Yunus u sought Allah’s help, and their supplications were granted. The pattern continued with Zakariya u and Yunus u, emphasizing the efficacy of heartfelt prayers.
3. Importance of Dua
The Prophet t, in his wisdom, conveyed the nobility of supplication, stating,
ليس شيء أكرم على الله تعالى -أي: أفضل- من الدعاء
“Nothing is more honorable before Allah than supplication.”
4. All prayers are answered
He assured that every Muslim’s prayer is answered, either by granting the request or diverting harm, as long as it is not tainted with sin or severing family ties.
ما على الأرض مسلم يدعو الله بدعوة إلا آتاه الله إياها، أو صرف عنه من السوء مثلها؛ ما لم يدع بمأثم أو قطيعة رحم
5. Certainty and Strong belief
Crucially, the Prophet emphasized the importance of supplicating with certainty and awareness, saying,
ادعوا الله وأنتم موقنون بالإجابة، واعلموا أن الله لا يستجيب دعاء من قلب غافل لاه»
“Supplicate to Allah whilst being assured of being answered, and know that God does not answer a supplication which comes from a careless and inattentive heart.”
6. important elements of the Khutba:
- Dua, or supplication, holds a revered status in worship, symbolizing a profound connection with Allah.
- Dua is the most beloved form of worship to Allah, reflecting the sincerity and devotion of the believer.
- Allah unfailingly accepts prayers, sometimes manifesting in protective measures against similar disasters.
- Prayers should never be directed towards wrongful desires or the severance of family ties, preserving the sanctity of supplication.
- Certainty in the response from Allah is crucial when making supplications, emphasizing the importance of faith and conviction.
- Allah does not answer prayers from a neglectful heart, urging believers to approach supplication with mindfulness.
- One should consider favorable times while supplicating, such as during Sujood, the last third of the night, and between the adhan and iqama, optimizing the efficacy of prayers.
- One should begin Dua with praise for Allah, incorporating the recitation of Salat and salaam on Prophet Muhammad (t), aligning the supplication with a spirit of reverence.
- One should include prayers for family, friends, and the entire community along with oneself, fostering a sense of collective well-being in the supplication process.
- Reference to whole Khutba : Your Lord says: Call upon Me; I will respond to you. (awqaf.gov.ae)