Explanation of the Hadith “ Dua is Worship “

Explanation of the Hadith

“ Dua is Worship “

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

عَنِ النُّعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : الدُّعَاءُ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ ، ثُمَّ قَرَأَ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ : { ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ، إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ } [غافر : ].

An-Nu’man ibn Bashir[رضي الله عنه ] narrated the Prophet [ﷺ] said: “Dua [Supplication to Allah ] is worship. Then he read the verse,” 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!” [Ghafir:60]

Collected by Abu Dawud [1479], At-Tirmithi [3372] An-Nisa’I in Al-Kubara [11464], Ibn Majah [3828]. Imam An-Nawawi graded this Hadith as being Sahih in [ Athkar] and Imam At-Tirmithi graded it a being Hasan

Benefits of this topic:

• An-Nu’man ibn Bashir [Radi Allahu anhu] was a companion of the Prophet [ﷺ] who narrated 114 hadith. Imam Al-Bukhari and Muslim from his hadith both narrated 5 and Imam Al-Bukhari narrated one which Muslim didn’t narrate, and Imam Muslim alone narrated 4 which Al-Bukhari didn’t mention.

An-Nu’man was a leader in Kufa during the reign of Mu’awiyah[Radi Allahu anhuma]. Then he was a judge in Damascus and following that he later became the ruler in Homs. He was assassinated in Homs by having his throat slit after he invited the people to pledge allegiance to Az-Zubair. Simak ibn Harb said An-Nu’man was the most eloquent Khateeb among the companions. [1]

• Al-Amir As-San’ani [1182H] said: This hadith represents supplication as the greatest act of worship similarly to the hadith ‘Hajj is Arafah” In other words, the greatest pillar which shows the one doing it is turning towards Allah and turning away from everything other than Him. The servant has been commanded to make Dua and when the servant does what he’s ordered to do from Allah it’s called worship. This act of worship shows the person asking Allah is humble as he displays himself in need of Allah[2]

• Sheikh UbaiduAllah Al-Mubarfuri [1414H] said: Regardless, worship whether its dua or not, it still must be connected with the intention to please Allah and be away from earning His anger. Also, supplicating to Allah is worship when a person asks Him for an increase in worldly affairs, being cured of illness or being relieved from pain.[3]

• Sheikh Salih Al-Fawzah[ May Allah preserve him] said: This hadith shows that supplicating to Allah is among the greatest acts of worship. There are various acts of worship. Everything Allah legislated and commanded is considered worship. This also includes the normal things in life when the Muslim uses them to help him in his obedience to Allah.

• “Dua is Worship” doesn’t mean that the worship of Allah is restricted and confined to supplication ONLY. This hadith shows the superiority of Dua. Allah called Dua worship. He said: “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!” [Ghafir:60]

The people sincere who supplicate to Allah are performing worship of Him which is Islam. Supplicating to Allah is the highest act of worship, which is why the servant should frequently do it. Allah loves those who regularly supplicate to Him. The more the servant asks Allah the more Allah loves him, unlike mankind. Whenever you ask him for something he gets angry with you.

اللهُ يغضَبُ إن تَرَكْتَ سُؤالَهُ                و بُنَيُّ آدمَ حِينَ يُسألُ يَغْضَبُ

       Allah is angry when you don’t ask Him  

                               The son of Adam is angry when he’s asked [4]

• Sheikh Abdullah ibn Salih Al-Fawzan[May Allah preserve him] said: Dua is among the greatest acts of worship because it contains all three aspects of Tawheed [ Ar-Roobobiyah- Al-Uloohiya-Asma wa Sifat]. The servant who supplicates to Allah shows he’s in need of him and weak. It shows the servant accepts Allah’s fate, has attached his heart to Him and has withdrawn from asking and relying on a man.

The Muslim supplicating to Allah combines acts of worship in Dua which aren’t combined in any other act of worship like they exist in Dua. For example the worship of the heart which has hope, wish, and fear. And the worship of tongue which includes praising Allah, extolling Allah, requesting Allah, imploring Allah and humbling oneself to Allah. Lastly, in the act of supplication is the worship of the body. This includes being brokenness in spirit before Allah’s Hands.[5]

• Sheikh Sa’d ibn Nasr Ash-Shitri [ May Allah preserve him] said: The servant should make the intention to draw closer to Allah when he makes Dua; in order to attain the reward of the next life. Dua is right that belongs only to Allah and it’s Haraam to supplicate to other than Him. Dua is worship and directing worship to other than Allah is Shirk. The one who supplicates to other than Allah is polytheists. When dua is mentioned in the Quran it refers to asking Allah for a need.[6]

Prepare and arranged by the one in need of Allah’s Mercy

Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle

Doha, Qatar 1440

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[1] Siyr vol 4/pg 494 –Imam Ath-Thahabbi

[2] At-Tanweer Sharu Jami’ As-Saghir vol 6/pg127

[3] Mura’tul Mafatih Sharu Mishka vol 9/pg 281

[4][4] Tasheel by Shiekh Salih Al-Fawzan vol 6/324

[5] Minhatul ‘Allam fi Sharhi Bulughil Maram vol 10/pg 414

[6] Sharu Bulugh Al-Maram by Sheikh Sa’d Ash-Shitri vol 3/pg 485.