Du'a' can remove calamities and retribution (which would...

Du'a' can remove calamities and retribution (which would otherwise have been ordained by Divine decree). Du'a' is the cure for every sickness. The first Imam, Amir al-Mu'minin 'Ali (A.S.), was much given todu'a', and this is clear because he was the leader in monotheism (Sayyid al-muwahhiddi) and the Chief among believers (Imam al-alihiyyin) and hisad'iyah and sermons are masterpieces of Arabic eloquence: for instance, thedu'a' of Kumayl ibn Ziyad al-Mashhur.

And they contain enough Divine and religious education to enable one to tread the right path to being a perfect Muslim. In fact, thead'iyah which are transmitted from the Prophet and his Household are the best guidance for a Muslim. When he thinks deeply about them, they will stimulate in him strength of faith and belief and the spirit of sacrifice in the path of Allah, and will reveal to him the mystery of worship, and the sweetness of praying to Allah and abandoning everything but Him.

They will teach him what is incumbent on a human being to know about his religion, and what will bring him close to Allah, and take him far from corruption, his desires and false innovations. In short, in thesead'iyah have been stored the summary of education as regards morality, training of the soul and Islamic beliefs; but they are, at the same time, the most important source of philosophical ideas for investigating theology and for the study of ethics.

If people could follow the guidance contained in the elevated meanings of thesead'iyah - but, alas, they will not be able to do so - no trace of the corruption which fills the earth would be found, and those souls which are bound by their sins could go to the Heaven of Truth freely. But it is a near impossibility to pay attention to these reformers who have called humanity to the way of Truth.

So the word of Allah has revealed to mankind: Most surely (man's) soul is wont to command (him to do) evil. (11;53) And most men will not believe though you desire it eagerly. (11;103) The source of badness in man is self-deception and an ignorance of his faults caused by denying their existence, thus making them seem good.

So he oppresses others, seizes their property, lies, flatters, obeys his own desires, and then deceives himself that he is not really obeying his desires, but that these things need to be done, so as to make his sins seem very insignificant.