The Second Star...

The Second Star: The Etiquette Of Supplication Supplication is petitioning Allah for fulfillment of one’s legitimate desires. It is therefore necessary that the supplicant should be conversant with the meaning of the prayer and the etiquette of reciting the prayer. He must recite the supplication with dedication of heart and his attitude should be equally submissive if not more than what he adopts for asking a favor from a fellow human being.

First Condition: When a person approaches another person for a favor, he keeps in mind certain things. Firstly, whatever he says, he says with full understanding. Whatever he plans in his mind to say, he communicates to the person verbatim. While supplicating to Allah, a person should have his specific purpose in his mind.

Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) has said, “Allah doesn’t answer the prayer of a person whose prayer doesn't come from his heart.” Therefore, one should pray from the depths of his heart and should have a conviction that Allah will fulfill his wish. Second Condition: When a person seeks help from another in time of difficulty, it is necessary that the person has to be known to him. It is an added advantage if the two have been acquainted with each other in the past.

Similarly when one has to approach Allah for the grant of a wish, it is necessary that the person should have been offering thanks to the Almighty for His Bounties! Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) has said that when a person wants Allah to help him in times of difficulty, he must make it a habit to supplicate to Allah before any such difficulty arises. He should not present himself to Allah as a total stranger when he needs help.

One person asked Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) that Allah exhorts people to ask for things and he would grant them. But he said that he keeps praying but the prayers remain unanswered. The Imam (as) replied, “Have you fulfilled the covenants you made with Allah? Have you observed the do’s and don’ts prescribed for you. If not, then how can you expect Him to grant your wishes?” Third Condition: When we expect favors from a person, we serve him meticulously to keep him in good cheer.

Similarly those who are more particular in offering prayers to Allah, generally get their wishes granted. Therefore the prayers of those who are closer to Allah get answered. For this one has to be pious, honest and truthful. Fourth Condition: Another condition for the effectiveness of supplication is the state of understanding of the Almighty.