By Shaykh Muhammed Saleem Dhorat
Dua is asking Allah for help or for the fulfilment of a particular need. It expresses a slave's helplessness and dependence on Allah, the All-Powerful and Merciful. It is the channel through which one gets directly in touch with one's Creator.
The purpose of man's creation is worship and according to a Hadeeth, 'dua is the essence of worship'. (Tirmizi) And according to another Hadeeth, 'dua is the worship'. (Tirmizi)
Just as Salãh, Sawm, Zakãh, Hajj etc. are acts of worship, supplication too is an act of worship. Therefore just as one takes out time to pray Salãh or to recite the Qur'ãn or make zikr, similarly, according equal importance to supplication, one should also take out sufficient time for the sake of dua.
The objective behind every act of worship is the Recognition of Allah as the Creator and the All-Powerful, and that one acts according to His Will and not as one likes. A Servant of Allah accepts his weaknesses and recognises his need for Allah. Out of all devotions, this humbleness and total submission is best expressed in supplicating. Furthermore, other acts of worship can become a source of pride whilst supplication is an act which is usually free from any trace of pride.
Nowadays, supplication has become a mere ritual. It has become a routine practice which one is accustomed to perform at certain times of the day. People raise their hands for a few moments at the time of prayer, uttering a few words, some consciously, and some without even realising what they are asking for. more