All praises and thanks be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds who ordered us to supplicate Him and Who promised to answer. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah Alone, Who has no partners, Who promised the criminals, polytheists, and disbelievers punishment, and promised the pious and righteous rewards; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, may Allaah send His blessings, forgiveness, mercy and greetings upon him, his household and his Companions.

O, people: fear Allaah, exalted be He, and know that Duaa is the most superior form of worship. On the authority of An-Nu'maan ibn Al-Basheer, may Allaah be pleased with them both, who narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: 'Dua is worship", then he recited the saying of Allaah, the Almighty which means: 'And your Lord says: Call on Me; I will answer your (prayers); verily those who are too arrogant to worship Me will surely enter hell abased"?. (Ghaafir: 60) (Abu Daawood & Tirmithi).

Allaah the Almighty ordered us in so many Qur'aanic verses to make Dua. He promised to respond and praised His prophets and messengers when He said which means: 'They were ever quick in doing in good works, they used to call on Us in yearning and awe, and humble themselves before Us"? (Al-Anbiyaa': 90).

Also Allaah has told His Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam that He is nearby and answers the prayers of any supplicant who calls to Him. He said which means: 'When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them), I respond to the prayer of every supplicant when he calleth on Me"?. (Al-Baqarah: 186).

Allaah has ordered us to supplicate to Him, and to humble ourselves before Him, especially in the times of calamity and grief, since He said that no one can listen to the distressed nor relieve the suffering except Him. He said which means: 'Or, who listens to the distressed (soul) when he calls on Him, and who relieves his suffering?"? (An -Naml: 62)

He also reproached the people who do not make Dua in times of distress or ease, saying: 'Whenever We sent a prophet to a town; We took up its people in suffering and adversity, in order that they might call in humility"?. (Al-A'raaf: 94).

This is a mercy and bounty from Allaah. In spite of Allaah's being in no need of His creatures; He commanded them to supplicate Him because they are the ones who are in need of Him, saying which means: 'O, ye men! It is ye that have need of Allaah, but Allaah is the one free of all wants, worthy of all praise"? (Faatir: 15). In addition, He said which means: 'But Allah is free of all wants, and it is ye that are needy"?. (Muhammad: 38)

Allaah said in a Hadith Qudsi: 'O My servants, all of you are astray except for those I have guided. So seek guidance of Me and I shall guide you. O My servants, all of you, are hungry except for those I have fed, so seek food of Me and I shall feed you. O, My servants, you commit sin by night and by day and I forgive all sins, so seek forgiveness from Me and I shall forgive you."? (Muslim).

O servants of Allaah, supplicate to Him and know that there are specific conditions which must be fulfilled in order to have one's supplications accepted. Allaah has promised to answer supplications, and Allaah never breaks His promise.

But verily the reasons for the rejection of Dua pertains only to the servant himself, and some of the reasons are as follows:

1. The Dua may not be answered if the servant is disobeying or ignoring Allaah's commands and obligations upon him, committing sins and doing what has been forbidden. Allaah said which means: '(It was said to him) Ah now! But a little while before, wast thou in rebellion! And thou didst mischief (and violence)"? (Yoonus: 91).

2. Another cause among the main reasons for unaccepted Dua is the use of unlawful food, drink and clothing. It was reported that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam mentioned (the case of) a man who, travelled around, dishevelled and Duasty and who spread out his hands to the heavens saying "O Lord! O Lord!", while his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing is unlawful and he is nourished unlawfully. So how can he be answered?"? (Muslim).

In the above mentioned Hadith, the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam indicates that the enjoyment of unlawful food, drink or clothing is the greatest reason preventing the acceptance of Dua.

It was mentioned in a Hadith: 'Make your food good (lawful), then your Dua will be answered."?

"AbDullaah son of Imaam Ahmed, may Allaah be merciful with them both, has mentioned in the book of Az-Zuhd (Asceticism): 'Once there was a time when an evil befell Bani Israa'eel (the children of Israel), thereupon they went out to some place; then Allaah, glory be to Him, revealed to their prophet to tell them, 'You went out to those places with dirty bodies and raise to Me impure bloody hands in supplication, (the same hands used) to fill your homes with that which is forbidden. Now the more wrathful I am upon you the further from Me you will be."?

O people, be aware of yourselves and reconsider the sources your livelihood, food and drink so Allaah may answer your Dua and invocations.

3. Also, among the reasons of the non-acceptance of Dua is insincerity in supplication: Allaah said which means: 'Call ye then, upon Allaah with sincere devotion to Him"? (Ghaafir: 14). And He said which means: 'So invoke not anyone along with Allaah"? (Al-Jinn: 18).

4. To supplicate with a heedless heart is another reason for one's Dua not being accepted. It was reported in Al-Mustadruk of Al-Haakim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, who narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: 'Supplicate Allaah and bear in mind that He will surely answer you, and be aware that Allaah never answers the supplication of someone who is heedless"?.

5. Negligence in advocating good actions and forbidding evil acts is surely one of the causes of the un acceptance of Duaa'. It is reported on the authority of Huthayfah Ibn Al-Yamaan, may Allah be pleased with him, who narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: 'By Him in Whose hands my soul lies, you should enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, otherwise He (Allah) will descend punishment upon you, and then you will ask Him but your supplications will never be answered."? (Tirmithi) He also said: 'Dua' surely has benefit according to what has already taken place and what has not, so you (servants of Allah) must continue supplicating Allah"? (Haakem).

O Muslims! Increase supplication to Allah, being sincere in devotion to Him, and know that Duaa' is greatest Duaring the days of trials and difficulties — the times Duaring which Allah tests His servants in their religion, their beliefs, their scholars and those who call others to Islam.

'Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for Allah loveth not those who trespass beyond bounds. Do not make mischief on the earth, after it hath been set in order, but call on Him with fear. And longing (in your hearts): for the mercy of Allah is (always) near to those who do good"? (Al-'Araaf: 55-56).

May Allah The Almighty grant us grace in the Noble Quran and benefit all of us from its wise verses and reminders.