56 — The Virtue of Supplication

Supplication holds tremendous importance in Islam. Its status is sublime and its rank is lofty, for it is among the noblest acts of worship, the greatest acts of obedience, and the most beneficial means of drawing near to Allah. Hence, numerous texts in the Book of Allah Most High and the sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ explain its virtue, extol its status and immense importance, encourage it, and urge believers to engage in it. These texts demonstrate the virtue of supplication in various ways. Some command and encourage it; some warn against abandoning it or arrogantly refusing to engage in it; some mention its immense reward and the great recompense it earns from Allah; and some praise the believers for observing it and commend them for performing it in the fullest manner. These and other kinds of evidence in the Noble Quran demonstrate the immense virtue of supplication.

Indeed, Allah, Glorified is He, has opened His Noble Book with supplication and concluded it with supplication. Surah “al-Hamd” (Praise), which opens the Noble Quran, contains a supplication to Allah for the loftiest of requests and the most perfect of aims: asking Allah, Majestic and Exalted is He, for guidance to the straight path, help in worshipping Him, and steadfastness in obeying Him. Surah “al-Nās” (Mankind), which concludes the Noble Quran, likewise contains a supplication to Allah, Glorified is He, in the form of seeking refuge in Him from the evil of the lurking whisperer who whispers into people’s hearts, whether from among the jinn or humankind. There can be no doubt that the Quran’s opening and closing with supplication demonstrates the immense importance of supplication and that it is the spirit and essence of worship.

Indeed, Allah, Majestic and Exalted is He, has called supplication worship in more than one verse of the Quran,