The Virtue of Supplication, Its Etiquette, and the Ruling on Parents Supplicating Against Their Children

Question:
The questioner asks: Shaykh, what is the virtue of du'a' (supplication)? What are its times? And what is the ruling on a parent supplicating against a child? Is it answered?

Answer:
Supplication is the greatest of the types of worship. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: So it is the greatest of the types of worship. And the Muslim is in need of supplication constantly and always. However, he must supplicate to Allah with a present heart. This is the first thing. He should not supplicate while he is heedless and distracted. Second, he must purify his food, drink, and clothing, and what he eats and what he sustains himself with. His food, drink, and clothing must be good and halal (lawful). If he eats from haram (forbidden) sources, or drinks from haram sources, or wears from haram sources, or sustains himself with haram, then his supplication will not be answered.
And he should not anger his parents to the point of driving them to supplicate against him, for the supplication of a parent is answered. However, the parent should be patient with his child and not hasten to supplicate against him, perhaps Allah will guide him and return him to the right path. Yes.