In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, the Almighty and that Muhammad (S.A.W.) is His servant and messenger. May the eternal peace, benediction and blessing of Allah be on the Seal of the Prophets, his house and all those who sincerely follow him.

Islam – A Complete Way of Life
Islam, as a complete way of life, comprises of three basic aspects: faith, morals and legislation. The faith (Iimaan) includes the fundamental beliefs as contained in the Qur’aan and Sunnah. This takes place in the heart of a believer. The morals (‘Akhlaaq) include all the virtuous thoughts and behaviors towards oneself and others. These take root in the minds, and reflect in words and actions of a person. Legislation (Sharii’ah) constitutes only the practical and the extrinsic aspects of the religion, like the fundamental acts of worship, social life, transactions, family affairs and administrations.

Abiding by the legislation without faith has no lasting reward, while faith without legislation is fruitless. The combination of the two aspects will certainly yield good morals, produce peaceful society and lead to eternal bliss.

Status and Forms of Prayer
Prayer, as a general term used in Islam for acts of worship that involves verbal expression and direct contact with Allah, falls under the category of legislation. It is grounded in faith and finds efficacy in moral uprightness. Prayer, in this sense, is divided into four basic forms:

1. Canonical Prayer (Salaat): This, in its mandatory form, corresponds to what is implied in Christianity by Mass or Holy Communion. It is the daily compulsory prayers or other prayers in this format.

2. Supplication (Du’aa’): This is equivalent to personal prayers or simply to what the Christians often understand by the term ‘prayer’. It is generally voluntary.

3. Litany (Wird) : This is a set group of prayers following one another in a set order said on a regular basis at a specified time of the day or night. It may be Quranic recitation or any other form of prayer. It is also generally voluntary.

4. Invocation (Dhikr): This is the incessant repetition of certain words or formulas in praise of Allah not necessarily accompanied by music or dancing. This is almost exclusively recited by the Sufis. It is also generally not obligatory.

Definition of Supplication
Supplication is a divinely legislated means of having direct contact with the sole Creator. It is an ultimate individual experience between man and his Creator. Supplication, a deep and vital communion of man with Allah is a medium by which a servant can demonstrate the reality of his manifold wants the depth of his nothingness and his strict dependence on Him. Supplication, being a speech addressed by the poor man to the Magnificent God, is the extreme limit of the divine grace toward His servants. In fact, it is the heart of worship of worship, and without the spirit of supplication in worship the latter cannot be fruitful.

Yhe term “suuplication” is particularly chosen instead of prayers. Notwithstanding, the etrm “prayer” and other terms used for this activity are retained in other references. This is in order to maintain the original expression of the quoted references or the translation of the Quran.

Terms Used for Supplication
Supplication is variously referred to with different Arabic terms. The most common of them are:
– Du’aa’ (Quran 3:38),
– Da’wah (Quran 2:186),
– Nidaa’ (Quran 19:3)
– Tadarru’ (Quran 6:42, 43)
– Isti’aahah (Quran 1:5)

The first two verbs are from the the verb “da’aa” (to call upon, appeal to, invoke), the third from “naadaa” (to cry out, summon, call), the fourth from “tadarra’a” ( with the preposition “ilaa” : to beg, implore, beseech, entreat) and the last one is from “ista’aana” (to seek help from, resort to).

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Category: Religion
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