The Importance of Supplication

The questioner:
O Shaykh, this contains a call for Muslims not to focus on obtaining what they desire, but rather to be granted success in making du'a' (supplication). I would like to benefit from this; because it is an important cause, and the prescribed du'a' and the Book are built upon this.

The Shaykh:
Yes, yes.

The questioner:
People have many needs.

The Shaykh:
It is very important, but there are authentic supplications from the Book and the Sunnah, and there are prescribed supplications, and Allah benefits people through them. The servant learns them and supplicates to Allah with them, as He, Exalted and Majestic is He, said: , and as He, the Exalted, said: . So Allah, Exalted and Majestic is He, commanded us to supplicate. There are lawful supplications and good supplications, so the servant must pay attention to them. Books have been authored on this by trustworthy imams, and they have gathered in them what has been transmitted in the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and what is reported from the Companions and the Salaf. One should pay attention to them. There are also innovated supplications that are not prescribed, and they may be shirk (associating partners with Allah). These are all supplications that are not indicated by the Book and the Sunnah, or that do not agree with the Book and the Sunnah. The servant must beware of these books authored by unknown persons and misguiding preachers who insert into them supplication to other than Allah, and insert into them tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means) through the awliya (close friends of Allah) and the righteous, and through graves. One must beware of these matters. Supplication is a very important matter. Therefore, the Muslim, for this reason, as 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I do not carry the most important answer, but I carry the most important supplication." This indicates that supplication is very important. So one should not take every supplication, or whatever comes from these books, or these compilations, or these pamphlets, or these folded leaflets, until one is certain of its authenticity and its agreement with the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him).