Hadith Translation & Commentary: “Du’a is the Core of Worship”

November 6, 2020 Wardah S

Disclaimer: This hadith (“du’a is the core of worship”) is taken from زاد الطالبين (Provisions for the Seekers) originally written by Shaykh Maulana Muhammad Ashiq Ilahi al-Bulandshehri in Arabic. Provision for the Seekers is the English version translated with additional commentary by Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf. No copyright infringement intended whatsoever. All rights belong to the publisher(s).

Original & Translation

اَلدُّعَاءُ مُخُّ العِبَادَةِ

“Invocation (du’a) is the core of worship.”

Note: This is a hadith from Tirmidhi.

Sentence Analysis (Tarkeeb)

اَلدُّعَاءُ means to call or cry out.

مُخُّ refers to the core of the brain.

مُخُّ and العِبَادَةِ is mudhaaf mudhaaf ilayh respectively, forming a murakkab idhaafiyy. This murakkab makes the khabr.

اَلدُّعَاءُ is the mubtada. The English word for du’a is supplication, meaning to reach out or call someone.

Together with the mubtada and khabr, this creates a jumla ismiyyah khabariyyah.

Why is Du’a the Core of Worship?

Du’a is the core of worship for two main reasons.

First, by supplicating to Allah (SWT), a person fulfills his obligation of calling on Allah, which is understood from this verse of the Holy Qur’an: “And your Lord says, ‘Call on Me, I will answer you (your prayer)”‘ [Qur’an 40:60]. This is worship in its purest form.

Second, by invoking Allah, one realizes that only He can fulfill one’s needs. The primary purpose of du’a is to fully rely on Allah (SWT) for help. The servant who calls upon their Lord abandons hope in everything else and turns their full attention to Allah, humbling themselves in front of Him. Du’a creates humility, a state in which one reflects and accepts oneself and Allah (SWT). It is our connection to Him. The fact that we as a humble servant cry out (make du’a) to Allah (SWT), this is the essence of worship.

Another desired result of worship is to attain reward from Allah. Because there is such a great reward in supplication, it has been called the essence of worship.

What if I Don’t Make Du’a?

Sincere du’a is usually made when someone has exhausted all other options. One should have tawakkul (complete trust and reliance) in Allah (SWT) as He is the manager of all affairs and the only One who can save you. If you do not make du’a, it shows that you do not need Allah (SWT). Remember, nothing is nobler to Allah (SWT) than du’a.

[This video by respected Nouman Ali Khan beautifully answers why sometimes the acceptance of a du’a can be “delayed” and the purpose and reality of du’a. Mashallah. REALLY worth the listen. A comment copied from under this video that summarizes a point made by the speaker: “Du’a is not a cry for a want that gets answered immediately. It just an act of communication with Allah that increases your trust, faith and reliance upon Him regardless of whether you get what you wanted immediately or at all.” Du’a is not an order we place! This world is always going to be filled with trials and du’a is a means for us to help deal with our struggles.]

Adaab (Etiquettes) of Making Du’a (Best Way to Make Du’a!)

Always keep in mind to make du’a purely and exclusively for Allah (SWT).

The Sunnah method for du’a is to be in a state of wudhu and face the qibla while raising one’s hands. Keep your voice lowered.

#1: Begin with praising Allah, called the hamd of Allah. You can use His attributes. (This praise helps ourselves; it humbles us.)
#2: Recite Durood upon the Prophet (SAW)
#3: Seek forgiveness
#4: End with Durood, hamd and ameen

While making du’a…

have utmost humility; know that you are handing all problems to Allah and that no other being can change fates
reflect upon your weaknesses and deficiencies, know that you are a human being that repeatedly makes mistakes
reflect on Allah’s greatness, know that He is the Most-Merciful who forgives our mistakes and the Ever-Watchful of our hearts, mind and actions
be mindful and have the presence of your heart in du’a; do not be habitual or mechanical!
have perseverance and faith in Allah (SWT); have a positive assumption for the result (Allah says, “I am according to the assumption of My slave”) and know that Allah (SWT) discerns what is best for you
make du’a in times of ease (do shukar / give thanks) and in times of difficulties (Muhammad (SAW) said that a believer should always be in one of two states: thankfulness or patience)
try to include others in du’as (like the ummah). Allah (SWT) accepts the du’a of those who make du’a for others in their abstinence.

How to Know if Du’a is Answered

There are 3 ways to know if your du’a is answered.

-One way is that the du’a can be answered in a different form than the way you expect (a du’a can be answered in many forms!).

-Another way is that Allah gives you something better than what you yearn for, as He knows what is best for you.

-Also, Allah may respond to the du’a in the Akhirah (Hereafter) and not the Dunya (this world). Or it could in the form of turning away a calamity.

Barriers in the Acceptance of Du’a from Allah (SWT)

Repeatedly committing sins
Risk (sustenance) or clothing is haraam
Not making du’a wholeheartedly or doing so with a lack of sincerity
Haste and/or abandonment of du’a (giving up on making du’a)
You are asking for something that is wrong/sin/unlawful/not preferable
Abandoning things/faraa’idh (obligatory acts) commanded by Allah (SWT)
Lacking faith and/or are unsure beforehand whether it would be accepted (like saying inshallah while making du’a); feeling despondent about the du’a being accepted

Times of Acceptance of Du’as; preferred:

Last third of the night (factored from Maghrib to Fajr time)
Between azaan (call to prayer) and iqamah
End of salaat after asghaar?
Sitting in the state of thashadut: after durood in salaat (has to be in Arabic and from the Qur’an or Sunnah) ??
Any hour on Friday; it is not specified but some believe it is before Maghrib and between Asr AND/OR between the 2 juma khutbas
Whenever you wake up at night, then you perform wudhu and make du’a
Before drinking Zamzam (while having proper intention)
During Ramadan, especially nights, especially Laylatul Qadr
Whenever visiting sick (you or them making du’a)
When it is raining
When someone is oppressed/wronged (could be you)
Whilst you are travelling
Whenever you are in severe calamity or severe difficulty
While you are fasting, especially around suhoor (pre-fast meal) or iftar (meal for the break of the fast)
While reciting the Qur’an or after reciting
When someone is making du’a for someone else in their absence
When a just ruler (any authority figure) makes du’a

[Similar Ahadith: There are more ahadith that expand on du’a is the core of worship. Hadith #68 in Provision for the Seekers is a great one. Inshallah, will be posting soon!]

Additional Note:

In addition to the disclaimer, please note that I have not created this information. Rather, I have shared my notes on what was taught to me by my reputable teachers as I am a student of the deen (religion) Islam. All thanks to Allah, the Most High. Any mistake, misuse, or misinterpretation of the teachings would be entirely due to my lack of knowledge. If you have any questions or concerns about these notes, please feel free to leave a comment below or reach me privately through my blog here or @hadithexplained on Twitter.

A Hadith Explained