Many muslims still see Ramadan as the month of fasting rituals, they take the suhoor, break in the evening, observe taraweeh and then walk away from the mosque.
They do this believing they are praying and fasting for Allah forgetting that the same Allah asks us to ask for our provisions whenever we worship him.
Why don’t you seize the golden moments in Ramadan to supplicate fervently and see if Allah won’t grant you that desire you’ve been worrying about for long?
I assure you, you will end up saying Alhamdulillah endlessly.
Dua or supplication is a form of communication between Allah and his servants. Allah has promised to answer our questions when we supplicate to him. This is why making dua is as important as offering daily prayers in the lives of Muslims.
Allah says: “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.”
Supplications are more likely to be accepted when we do it the right way and at the right time. If you have been fasting and not asking since the beginning of Ramadan, you aren’t doing yourself any good.
Instead of fasting and jets out of the mosques to chase vanity, it is better to watch out for the times Allah is likely to accept our supplications. Irrespective of religious affiliation, everyone seems to believe fasting and praying are two fantastic vessels that directly convey our requests to Allah.
There are so many special times in Islam to invoke Allah, but this piece will consider seven times we can seize to make dua in the holy month of Ramadan.
1. The last third of the night; The period between 2am to 5am is one of the best time to observe voluntary prayers and then sit down to supplicate to Allah. But most people are lazy to do this because this is when we seem to enjoy the sleep the most and waking up to perform any act of Ibaadah often seems difficult.
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: ‘In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (SWT)) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; “Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?.”‘ [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]
2. Between Adhan and Iqamah: Adhan and Iqamah mark the beginning of the five times prayers. In between these time is a significant moment to supplicate. According to Anas bn Malik, Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: ‘A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama is not rejected.’
3. An hour on Friday: There is a moment in every Friday when Allah accepts the supplications of believers. This moment is not specifically mentioned by the prophet (SAW) but there is a consensus among scholars that the hour is the period after Asr prayer and before Maghrib (sunset) prayer.
Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA): Allah’s Messenger (SAW) talked about Friday and said: ‘There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) and asks something from Allah (SWT), then Allah (SWT) will definitely meet his demand.’ And he (the Prophet (SAW) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands.[Sahih al-Bukhari]
4. While prostrating: It is also recommended by prophet Muhammad that the sujood (prostration) position in prayers get us closer to Allah and we can take advantage of it to ask.
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW), said: ‘The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah (SWT) much in it.
5. The night of ‘Qadr’ (Decree): The night of Majesty is one of the blessings of Ramadan. It is a night every Muslim is expected to seek in the last 10 days of Ramadan and pray fervently to Allah to positively change his life. This night is the greatest night of the year. This is the night which the almighty Allah (SWT) said about it, “The night of Al-Qadar (Decree) is better than a thousand months.” [Surah al-Qadr, 97: 3]
6. Dua of the one fasting at the time of breaking fast: When we fast, we do it to obey Allah’s commandment and the reward for fasting won’t come from no one but Allah. So keeping Allah’s commandment and asking for his favour is like an obedient child asking his parents for his needs.
The prophet (SAW) declared, ‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: when a fasting person breaks fast (in another narration, the fasting person until he breaks his fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.'[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi – Hasan]
7. At the end of the obligatory salat: It is permissible for us to supplicate while observing the five daily prayers. This is mentioned in the hadith of the prophet narrated by Abu Umamah (RA): that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) was asked, O Messenger of Allah, which supplication is heard (by Allah (SWT), he said the end of the night and at the end of the obligatory Salat (prayer) [at-Tirmidhi]. This time is after saying ‘At-tahyat’ , and before making Tasleem (finishing prayer)
These are moment we are all familiar with but refuse to maximize their advantages. Now that you know, never let these moments slip away again.
Prophet Muhammad says “Verily your Lord is Generous and Shy. If His servant raises his hands to Him (in supplication) He becomes shy to return them empty”
So, take advantage of these special moments and pray to your Lord, your prayers shall be accepted. In shaa Allah !
