What is ibtihāl?

Some people can be seen complaining saying, “We make lots and lots of duꜤāˈs, but they’re not accepted.” First of all, remember that every duꜤāˈ is definitely accepted. However, this does not mean that we will always get what we ask for. Sometimes, our duꜤāˈs repel calamities. Sometimes, we are given something better than what we asked for. And sometimes, the duꜤāˈ we make is saved for us in the Hereafter. So, remember, every duꜤāˈ you make is accepted.

We also need to look at how we make duꜤāˈ. There are many people in our communities who don’t even know how to ask from Allah Almighty and make duꜤāˈ. It is from the manners of duꜤāˈ to supplicate after forming a sense of sorrow within. To make duꜤāˈ by imploring Allah Almighty with complete focus and raising the hands is called ibtihāl. This is a sunnah of our beloved master: the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.

Let us all make a habit of making duꜤāˈ by imploring Allah Almighty with full concentration. If we do this, we shall receive blessings اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه.

The practice of the Prophets عَـلَـيْـهِمُ الـسَّـلَام

There is a chapter in the Holy Quran named Sūrat al-Ambiyāˈ, which contains mention of many Prophets عَـلَـيْـهِمُ الـسَّـلَام. In particular, there is mention of how the Prophets عَـلَـيْـهِمُ الـسَّـلَام would make duꜤāˈ to Allah Almighty. Whenever a difficulty or problem arose, their centre of attention would be Allah Almighty. They would call upon Him and make duꜤāˈ.

Prophet Nūḥ عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم preached to his nation for around 950 years. Despite this, those wretched people did not accept faith. Instead, they caused him great difficulty and even physical harm. Prophet Nūḥ       عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم eventually made duꜤāˈ to Allah Almighty. The Almighty states: