About Us - Doors of Mercy

Dua Guide

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“Verily, your Lord is generous and shy.If His servant raises his hands to Him (in supplication), He becomes shy to return them empty.”

(Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi)

When I began preparing for Hajj, it was the first time I sat down and organised my duas. Making a lengthy dua can be overwhelming, and we often don’t know where to start. Through research, attending classes, and speaking with others, I realised that I could truly enhance my dua-making experience and connect with Allah SWT on a deeper level. I feel compelled to share this with you, and hope that it helps you as much as it continuously helps me.

Before Making Dua

Purify Yourself – Be in a state of wudu.
While not obligatory, performing wudu cleanses you physically and spiritually, preparing you to connect with Allah. This purification helps you focus and approach Allah with a clean heart and mind.

Give Sadaqah – Charity before starting your dua can bring blessings.
Giving sadaqah, even if it’s a small amount, opens doors of mercy and blessings. The act of charity purifies your wealth and pleases Allah, making your duas more likely to be accepted.

Face the Qibla – Direct yourself towards the Kaaba.
Facing the Qibla, the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah, aligns you with millions of Muslims around the world. It symbolises unity and devotion.

Raise Your Hands – A gesture of supplication and humility.
Raising your hands while making dua signifies humility and earnestness. It shows you are seeking Allah’s mercy and blessings. Keep your palms open and raised to the level of your chest or higher.

Express Emotion – Try to cry and beg Allah.
He is waiting for you to connect deeply. Let your emotions flow. Crying while making dua is a sign of sincerity and humility. It reflects your deep yearning for Allah’s mercy and acceptance. If tears don’t come naturally, try to reflect on your sins, needs, and Allah’s greatness to evoke genuine emotion.

Have Tawfeeq – Believe fully that Allah will accept your prayers.
Tawfeeq is the conviction that Allah will hear and accept your prayers. Approach your dua with complete faith and trust in Allah’s mercy and power. Remember, Allah’s timing is perfect, and His wisdom is infinite.

Forgive Others – Cleanse your heart of grudges.
Before you begin, make a conscious effort to forgive anyone who has wronged you. Holding grudges can weigh heavy on your heart and affect your spiritual connection. Ask Allah to help you let go of any bitterness and fill your heart with peace.

Begin your Dua

Send blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH)

Begin your dua by sending blessings upon Prophet Muhammed (PBUH). This act of salawat is beloved to Allah and serves as a gateway for your dua to be accepted.

للَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ

O Allah, we ask for your peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Call Allah by His Names

Reflect on the meanings of His names and invoke them sincerely. Use the 99 names of Allah in your dua, understanding their meanings. Read them all at the start and/or throughout your duas.

For example, say, “Ya Rahman (O Most Merciful), have mercy on me,” or “Ya Shifa (O Healer), heal me from my ailments.” This adds depth and reverence to your supplications.

Recite Surah Fatiha

Understand its profound meanings as a supplication. Surah Al-Fatiha is a powerful prayer in itself. Recite it with understanding and sincerity. It covers praise, worship, guidance, and seeking Allah’s help. Reflect on its meanings as you recite.

اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ

Guide us to the straight path

Sayyidul Istighfar

Recite the most powerful dua for seeking forgiveness. Sayyidul Istighfar is the master supplication for forgiveness. This dua acknowledges Allah’s lordship, your servitude, and your sincere repentance.

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَىَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ

O Allah, You are my Lord, none has the right to be worshipped except You, You created me and I am Your servant, and I abide by Your covenant and promise [to honor it] as best I can, I take refuge in You from the evil of which I committed, I acknowledge Your favor upon me and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for verily none can forgive sins except You

Praise Allah

Begin by praising Allah’s attributes and expressing your gratitude

Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah)
We praise You, O Allah, for Your countless blessings and mercy. Your generosity knows no bounds.

SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah)
Glory be to You, O Allah, for Your perfect and magnificent creation. Every part of the universe reflects Your greatness.

Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)
You are the King of all kings, the Sovereign of the Day of Judgment. To You belongs all praise and glory, and in Your hands rests all power..

Example of praises:

Ya Allah, thank You for the gift of health. The ability to walk, talk, and live independently is a blessing we often take for granted.
Please continue to bestow upon us good health and strength.

Ya Allah, thank You for granting me the ability to read and write. These skills enable me to engage with Your holy Quran,
to read its sacred verses, and to pray with sincerity.
The Quran is our guide, our healer, and our protector. Thank You for its wisdom and its light.

Ya Allah, thank You for the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Without the Sunnah, we would be lost and
uncertain of how to earn Your pleasure. The Prophet’s life is a perfect example for us to follow,
and we are grateful for this divine guidance.

Ya Allah, thank You for the Rizq (provision) You have granted me and my family.
Your sustenance nourishes us, and we acknowledge that our gratitude can never match Your generosity.
Nevertheless, we thank You from the depths of our hearts.

O Allah, our praises are limited, but Your blessings and mercy upon us are endless.
We acknowledge that we can never fully enumerate Your praises or comprehend Your infinite mercy.
Despite our shortcomings, we are deeply grateful for all that You have bestowed upon us.

Seek Forgiveness

Confess your sins to Allah and seek His forgiveness with a sincere heart. Say, “Astaghfirullah (I seek Allah’s forgiveness)” repeatedly, and be specific about your wrongdoings. Resolve not to repeat them and ask for strength to overcome weaknesses

Examples of seeking forgiveness:

O Allah, You are the most merciful and the most forgiving. With hearts full of humility and remorse, we turn to You, seeking Your boundless mercy and forgiveness.

Oh Allah, forgive us for all our sins, those we committed knowingly and unknowingly, those we did openly and in secret. Forgive the sins we committed in ignorance and those we committed with full awareness.

Oh Allah, forgive the major and minor sins, the past and present sins, the first and the last of our sins. We ask You to cleanse us from the sins that are apparent and those that are hidden deep within us.

Oh Allah, replace our sins with good deeds, and guide us to the straight path. Strengthen our faith and resolve, so that we may avoid sinning in the future. Fill our hearts with Your love and fear, and make us among those who are constantly seeking Your forgiveness

Personal Duas

Present your heartfelt requests, as many as you have.

Make a detailed list of your personal needs and desires. Nothing is too big or too small for Allah. Include your spiritual, emotional, physical, and material needs.
Open your heart wide to Allah, for He listens to every whisper of your soul. Dive deep into the depths of your desires and lay them bare before Him.

Example:

“O Allah, grant me strength and clarity of mind as I navigate the challenges of my career. Guide me towards opportunities that align with my passions and values, and bless my efforts with success and fulfillment. Allow me to make an income that is completely halal and that you are pleased with”

Express your needs with clarity and specificity. Whether it’s seeking guidance in your career path, finding solace in times of distress, or experiencing healing from emotional wounds, articulate your desires with sincerity and detail. .

Pray for others

When you pray, think about others too.

Pray for those who shared their hopes and challenges with you.
Remember, a single prayer from anyone can make a big difference in someone’s life.

Example:

“O Allah, shower Your mercy upon my dear friend Sanaa, as she embarks on her journey towards healing.
Grant her patience, strength, and inner peace to overcome her trials, and surround her
with Your comforting embrace.”

However, sometimes this is not possible. When many people ask
to be included in your prayers, it can be overwhelming to remember everyone individually.
One effective approach is to create a collective dua, where you ask for blessings, guidance, and
protection for all those who have requested your prayers.

You can simply say something like:

“O Allah, please accept the heartfelt prayers of all those who have asked for my dua.
Grant them what is best for them in this life and the hereafter, protect them from harm,
and shower them with Your mercy and blessings”

By making a collective dua, you encompass everyone’s needs and intentions without having
to mention each person’s name individually

Pray for the Ummah

To make a dua for the Ummah, one can start by acknowledging the collective struggles and challenges faced by Muslims worldwide.
Then, earnestly ask Allah for mercy, guidance,protection, and relief for the entire Muslim community.

Example Dua for the Ummah:

“O Allah, the most Compassionate and merciful, we turn to You with heavy hearts, mindful of the trials and
tribulations faced by our brothers and sisters in the Ummah. We witness the suffering of our fellow Muslims
in Palestine, enduring oppression and injustice daily. We see the plight of the Uighur Muslims, facing persecution
and cultural erasure. Our hearts ache for the people of Sudan and Congo, grappling with conflict and instability.

O Allah, shower Your mercy upon the Ummah, heal their wounds, and unite their hearts.
Grant them perseverance in the face of adversity and grant them victory over their oppressors.

Ya Allah, we entrust the affairs of the Ummah to You, knowing that You are the All-Hearing and All-Knowing.
Accept our dua for the entire Ummah, and grant them relief, prosperity, and success in this life and the Hereafter. Ameen.”

Pause for Salawat

Interject your duas with salawat frequently.
Regularly include salawat during your dua. This practice is said to elevate your prayers.

Conclude

Ask Allah to accept your past, present, and future prayers.
Feel the connection and empowerment.

End your dua by asking Allah to accept all your supplications, including those you may have forgotten.
Say, “O Allah, accept my past, present, and future prayers.”

Please remember this writer and her family in your humble duas

By following these detailed steps and examples, you can enhance your dua-making process
and deepen your spiritual connection with Allah