What is the etiquette of supplication (duʿāʾ)?
The classical scholars wrote manuals on how to call upon Allah — when, where, with what words, and with what heart. These passages sit at the root of that tradition.
10 passages from 9 books in the library
The classical scholars taught that duʿāʾ is the essence of worship, made with humility, confidence, and patience. Al-Ghazali relates that the best supplication is that of the Day of ʿArafah, and he records the prayer of the lowly servant who calls upon Allah 'with the supplication of the blind, the afraid.' He cautions, on the authority of the Prophet, against hastening the response, for a servant is answered so long as he does not grow impatient. Gathering many people whose prayers are answered is recommended, and a believer trusts he is never left unhappy in calling upon his Lord.
Drawn from the classical sources below — in the scholars' own words.
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 9 books by Ibn Kathir and Imam al-Ghazali — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
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"supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafah and the best thing I and the prophets before me have said is"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"sinful servile, and I call upon You with the supplication of the blind, afraid, the supplication"
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"The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, The best supplication is the supplication"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"He advised against hastening the response to supplication, saying that a person's supplication"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"from Abdullah ibn Amr, stating, The fastest supplication to be answered is a supplication"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"It is recommended to have a large gathering for the blessing of many supplications and the presence of someone whose supplication is answered."
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
-
"He explained the invalidity of worshiping idols that do not hear the supplication of their worshiper nor see his place"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"He said these are asking Allah, and if he wills he will give them and if he wills he will withhold from them as"
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
-
"will say, Then call as you wish, but the supplication of the unbelievers is only an error. Then they will"
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
-
"This saying, And I have never been in my supplication to you, my Lord, unhappy, reflects his confidence"
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