Importance of Du'a (Supplication) In Islam

Du'a (supplication) is a conversation with Allah (s.w.t). It is not that we have forgotten du’a completely; we refer to it regularly. But, our ideas and practice regarding du’a have become distorted. Often it is reduced to the level of a ritual. Generally it is considered when all our efforts have failed - an act of last resort. It is belittled through actions and sometimes even with words. Is it any wonder that today mostly a mention of du’a is meant to indicate the hopelessness of a situation.

Dua is our most potent weapon in all struggles of life as well as in jihad in the battlefield. During the battle of Badr, the Prophet Muhammad stood up all night in prayer seeking Allah's help in the battle between unequal armies that would follow the next day. In the decisive battles against the crusaders, Sultan Salatuddin Ayyubi was busy day and night. His days were devoted to Jihad. His nights were spent making du'a, crying, seeking Allah's help. This has been the practice of all true mujahideen.

We should make it a point to make dua for all things big and small. It is the beginning of wisdom to realise that big and small are arbitrary labels that are totally irrelevant in this context. Nothing is too big for Whom we are asking from; nothing is too small for the one who is asking. That is why we have been taught to ask Allah when we need something as small as shoelaces. We should ask as a beggar, as a destitute person, for that is what we in reality are in relationship to Allah. At the same time we should ask with great hope and conviction that we shall be granted our prayers. We should remember the Hadith:
"There is nothing more dear to Allah than a servant making du'a to Him." 

On the other hand, a prayer lacking concentration and conviction is no prayer at all.

We should make dua at all times, not only during times of distress. The Prophet Muhammad said:

 
"Whosoever desires that Allah answers his dua's in unfavorable and difficult conditions, he should make plentiful dua in days of ease and comfort."

Also he said:

 
"The person who does not ask from Allah, Allah becomes angry with him."

In Light of Qur’an & Hadith:

[Tirmidhi, Hadith 3372]
Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Du’a is worship.”

[Sahih Al-Bukhari, 6340 & Muslim, 2735]
“One of you may be answered so long as he is not hasty and says, ‘I said du’a but I got no response.’”

[Sahih Al-Muslim]
"The dua of a Muslim for his brother (in Islam) in his absence is readily accepted. An angel is appointed to his side. Whenever he makes a beneficial dua for his brother the appointed angel says, 'Aameen. And may you also be blessed with the same.'"

[Surah Ghafir Ch:40 V: 60]

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ

دَاخِرِينَ

And your Lord said: "Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!"