This Khutbah (sermon) by Ustadh Usman Abdullah Malik, delivered at Al Rahmah Masjid, focuses on the profound concept of Du'a (supplication) in Islam—how it serves as the essence of worship and possesses the transformative power to influence and even change one’s Qadr (Divine Decree or destiny). The central theme is cultivating a deep understanding of Allah's attributes to make one's supplications more sincere and effective.
The Essence of Worship and Constant Need for Allah
The sermon begins by emphasising the innate and constant need of humanity for Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in every single moment of their lives. This acknowledgment of dependency is the foundation of true faith. When a believer recognises that all blessings (health, wealth, offspring, etc.) are from Allah and that only He can fulfill needs, they naturally resort to Du'a. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) described Du'a as the pinnacle of all acts of worship because it establishes a direct, intimate connection between the servant and the Creator.
Understanding Allah: The Ever-Responsive (Al-Mujib) and His Generosity
A critical condition for having one’s Du'a accepted is getting to know Allah (Azzawajal). Ustadh Usman highlights the Divine Name Al-Mujib (The Ever-Responsive) which appears alongside Al-Qarib (The Closest). Al-Mujib is not just the one who answers prayers, but the One who inspires the servant to make the Du'a in the first place, signifying Allah's pre-existing desire to grant the request.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said that Allah is shy and generous. He is too shy to return the hands of His servant empty after they are raised in sincere supplication. This underscores a key message: when a believer is given the chance to make Du'a, they should be assured that Allah wants to answer them.
Direct Divine Link: Why Supplication to Allah is Different from Asking Kings
To appreciate the unparalleled majesty of Allah, the Khutbah draws a powerful contrast between seeking help from a human authority (like a king or a leader) and calling upon Allah.
Worldly Authority: Seeking an audience requires immense effort, navigating bureaucracy, and often results in rejection, conditional appointments, and specified times.
Allah (Azzawajal): There is a direct divine link with Allah, requiring no intermediaries, no specific time, and no conditional procedures. All that is required is for the servant to call upon Him from the depths of their heart.
Furthermore, Allah’s generosity is boundless. If all mankind and Jinn, from the first to the last, were to ask Him for everything their hearts desired, it would not decrease from His Kingdom even so much as a drop from an ocean. This should inspire believers to ask Allah for the greatest of things—even what seems impossible—and to aspire to the highest level of Paradise (Jannatul Firdaus).
The Ultimate Weapon: Du'a's Power to Change Divine Decree (Qadr)
The most transformative point of the sermon is the reflection on a significant Hadith:
“Nothing changes the destiny, the Divine Decree of Allah, except Du’a.”
Du'a is thus described as the weapon of the believer. It has the literal power to cause Allah to rewrite a person’s destiny. The speaker clarifies that while Allah, being All-Knowing, already knew the servant would make the Du'a and the resulting change, the servant is commanded to act and pray, as they do not know the decree.
The speaker also highlights Sadaqah (charity) as the shield of the believer. Just as Du'a changes the decree, Sadaqah can become a barrier, diverting calamities that were destined to befall a person. The winning formula for the believer in any situation is to wield their weapon (Du'a) and hold up their shield (Sadaqah).
Maximising Acceptance: The Conditions and Path of Supplication
The sermon concludes with practical steps for ensuring acceptance, illustrating the journey of a Du'a reaching Allah:
• Conviction (Yaqeen): A Du'a will only be answered if the heart testifies with conviction and certainty that only Allah can answer the prayer. Any doubt will prevent its acceptance.
• Fueling the Du'a: The Du'a is like a vehicle that needs fuel to reach its destination. That fuel is sending Salawat (blessings) upon the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) before and after the supplication.
• Removing Barriers (Repentance): Du'a can be prevented from reaching Allah by the believer's own sins and disobedience (haram). Therefore, one must repent and seek forgiveness from Allah to remove the barrier from the path of their supplication.
Finally, Ustadh Usman encourages utilizing special times for Du'a, such as the last third of the night and the last hour on Jumu'ah (Friday), noting that miracles often take place during these moments. The proper formula for Du'a is to first praise and glorify Allah, then send Salawat upon the Prophet, and finally, ask Allah for whatever the heart desires.