Ramadan Challenge: Pray For Them!

By Yasha Humayun

When we make dua we often fail to realize how powerful it is. You’re calling on to the One Who’s the Most Glorious (Al-Majeed) and The Responsive (Al-Mujeeb), what act can be more powerful and more beautiful than this?

Dua is the best gift you can ever give; it’s undoubtedly the only gift that benefits the one who receives it and the one who gifts it. What other gift can you think of that would fulfill this criteria? None!

I’ve often stumbled upon quotes that say that if you truly love someone, you pray and make dua for them and also that if you want to know who you really love, look at who you pray for in your duas. Undeniably, both of these ring true.

Often, by the grace of Allah, when we set out to help our loved ones, we are only able to do so much, for us humans are limited in our capabilities, in our influence over things. The time then is to call to the One who is Al-Muqtadir (The Powerful) and Al-Qaadir (The Able), the one whose power and control encompasses everything, and to say to Him, ‘Ya Allah, this person is in dire need of Your help, You’re the only One that ever helps us, You’re the only One that can help us, please be merciful to him and aid him.’

Often we do pray for our friends and relatives, but what about those loved ones who’ve left this world? They’re in as much need of our duas as those who are with us.

Once when I was sitting after prayer, I wondered, ‘Ya Allah, are there people who have died, passed away in a calamity, and no one knew they existed? Are there people on this Earth that have no one to make dua for them, no one to cry for them in sujood (prostrations), no one to ask for forgiveness for them?”

Make dua for them too, their book of deeds has closed and one can only pray for their  forgiveness. Especially, making dua for parents who’ve passed away is a very rewarding act.

The Prophet  said: “When a person dies, all his deeds come to an end except three: sadaqah jaariyah (ongoing charity, e.g. a waqf or endowment), beneficial knowledge (which he has left behind), or a righteous child who will pray for him.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, no 1376)

He  also said: “A man’s status will be raised in Paradise and he will ask, ‘How did I get here?’ He will be told, ‘By your son’s du’aa’s (prayers) for forgiveness for you.” (Reported by Ibn Maajah, no 3660; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1617)

The beauty of dua is that you can ask for anything, as long as it’s halal, and you can add as much people as you want to it. It’s best to add the entire Ummah. It’s one of the reasons why I absolutely love the dua of Ibrahim A.S, especially the second part of the dua, “O Lord, make me and my children steadfast in prayer, Our Lord accept the prayer. Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers on the Day of Judgement.” (Surah Ibrahim 14:40-41)

Make a list of the individuals you want to pray for and what you want to pray for for them; it doesn’t strictly have to be a written one, it can be a mental list too. A list will allow you to be more specific.

This is the blessed month so make your duas for your loved ones today, make them right now. You never know, this could be the hour of acceptance of duas!

If you have true concern for your friends and relatives, if you make abundant and consistent dua for them, then with the Will of Allah, He will open doors of blessings and mercy for you, because He loves those who love His creation.