Duaa is of high status in the Muslim faith. We desperately need duaa at all times. Allah the Almighty says:
{And your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’ Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible} (Ghafir 40:60).
Some say that duaa is the weapon of the faithful; meaning, it is very effective and decisive.
However, there are conditions that make your duaa more eligible for Allah’s response; the following verse mentions some:
{And [mention] Zechariah, when he called to his Lord, ‘My Lord, do not leave me alone [with no heir], while you are the best of inheritors.’
So We responded to him, and We gave to him John, and amended for him his wife.
Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds, and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive} (Al-Anbiya’ 89-90).
WHY DID ALLAH ACCEPT ZECHARIAH’S DUAA?
The answer to this question constitutes three points that the above Qur’anic verse mentioned. Let’s touch upon them one by one.
1) They Used To Hasten To Good Deeds
Hastening to good deeds was one of the traits of Zechariah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his household. The word ‘hasten’ reflects their quickness in doing what is good and acceptable.
Many people have good selves, pure hearts, and like to do well; however, they are procrastinators who delay or put things off. For those, the Prophetic command is that they should hasten to good deeds and seize all opportunities before it is too late or before being occupied with other things.
Besides, good deeds, here, do not include salah, zakah, siyam and hajj only; they are many and of a great variety.
They used to supplicate Allah in hope and fear
Zechariah and his household were keen to invoke Allah, Glory be His, at all times be they of joy, sadness, hope, or fear.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Messenger of Allah said:
“Whoever wishes that Allah would respond to him during hardship and grief, then let him supplicate plentifully when at ease” (At-Tirmidhi and Al-Hakim who said: Authentic hadith).
2) They Were Humbly Submissive To Allah
Submission is a state of the heart whose impact is reflected on one’s limbs as well as actions. Let’s get the most comprehensive definition of khushu` or submission from the Qur’an that says,
{And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]. Who are certain that they will meet their Lord and that they will return to Him} (Al-Baqarah 45-46).
The Qur’an defines the humbly submissive to Allah as those who are certain to meet Him in the Hereafter and that they will return to Him after their demise.
Khushu` represents any psychological state that leads its owner to observe piety, and recall fear of Allah at all times. Khushu` is not a requirement of Salah only; it should be the trait of the faithful at all times and in all conditions.
All these characteristics show the type of life Prophet Zechariah led; He always acknowledged Allah. In return, Allah, the Almighty never let him down. He fulfilled his wish, blessed him with a son, Yahiya (John), and amended his wife for him.
3) What is Meant By “Acknowledge Allah”?
In a Prophetic hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. Recognize and acknowledge Allah in times of ease and prosperity, and He will remember you in times of adversity” (40 Hadith of Nawawi 19).
“Acknowledge Allah” means you should try to please Him and draw nearer to Him, thank Him for His gifts and grace, be patient in times of affliction, and observe sincerity at all times be they good or bad.
This is what happened to the three persons who sought shelter in a cave and because of their good deeds, Allah saved them through moving the huge rock that blocked the cave’s entrance.
Similarly, Allah the Almighty tells us in the Qur’an about what happened to Prophet Jonah (Yunus) as the Qur’an says,
{And had he not been of those who exalt Allah, He would have remained inside its belly [the whale] until the Day they are resurrected} (Al-Saffat 143-144), i.e., before he was afflicted and thrown into the sea.
Therefore, if you recognize Allah in times of prosperity and welfare, He will guide you through during the times of hardship and difficulty. That’s for sure!
This is unlike Pharaoh (Fir`aun) who denied Allah and declined faith in Him in times of ease. So, Allah did not save him when he was about to drown, though he verbally declared his faith in Him . The Qur’an comments on this as saying,
{Now? And you had disobeyed [Him] before and were of the corrupters?} (Yunus 90-92).
The Qur’an tells us that Allah saved Pharaoh’s body to be a sign for those who succeed him; meaning us. Sadly, many of us are heedless to these lessons though they are very clear and are clearly stated in the Qur’an!
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