DUA: The Way of Supplication

The main purpose of this book is to share with the reader the often overlooked, yet essential conditions and requirements of making dua, of turning to Allah in sincere supplication. As human beings we are wholly dependent on Allah, and in constant need of His help, whether we realize this or not. There is an established path and connection to Allah, Aqim al Salat. This is the relationship with our Rab, our Creator, and dua is an integral part of it. As human beings we find ourselves between two realities, the reality of material existence and that of spiritual being. This book, in a small way, intends to bring us to a deeper, more profound connection with Allah in our daily lives, integrating these two realities, especially when we are reaching out to Allah in our dua.

The main purpose of this book is to share with the reader the often overlooked, yet essential conditions and requirements of making dua, of turning to Allah in sincere supplication. As human beings we are wholly dependent on Allah, and in constant need of His help, whether we realize this or not. There is an established path and connection to Allah, Aqim al Salat. This is the relationship with our Rab, our Creator, and dua is an integral part of it. As human beings we find ourselves between two realities, the reality of material existence and that of spiritual being. This book, in a small way, intends to bring us to a deeper, more profound connection with Allah in our daily lives, integrating these two realities, especially when we are reaching out to Allah in our dua. Shaykh Taner Ansari shares a story from an early experience that clearly illustrates the point. "Allah knows everything I do, Allah sees me, Allah takes care of me, so why should I make any dua? For a while, I did not make any dua. Then, I was not yet a sufi. Then I realized, when you do not make dua, what are you saying? You are saying you are not needy; you do not need Allah's help. So, I said, 'I have to make dua because I am not in that situation.' But what are you going to ask Allah? That is the other thing: what to ask? Finally Allah says in Qur'an-i Karim [Generous Qur'an], '…ask Allah of His bounty.' (4:32) "You have to make dua. When Allah says do, you have to do. And so, dua is a personal relationship with Allah. What are you saying when you make dua? You are accepting that you are the needy and Allah is not, and He is The Giver. You are acknowledging that Allah is God and you are not. So, just the concept of dua is la ilaha illallah [there is no other higher power than Allah]. You are confirming and acknowledging la ilaha illallah by making dua. Through these connections, you have to acknowledge Allah's Omnipotence, and Allah's Power, the whole thing, the whole package." "And when My devotees ask you about Me, I am most certainly near. I respond to the callers when they call Me. So let them hear My call (also) and let them believe in Me, so they may have an opportunity to grow in maturity." (2:186) Calling on our Rab, and turning to Him in need and even when not in need, is the medium of intimacy in the heart of a mu'min [believer]. It is our heart connection, rabita. Allah gives us the connection, but do we know how it works? Do we even know our Creator, Allah? "O you who believe, be patient and persevere and surpass others in patience and perseverance, and make rabita [purposeful heartfelt, spiritual connection], keep your connection and have taqwa [self-vigilance], so that you may reach salvation." (3:200) We see from this simple, yet profound example how Shaykh Taner Ansari came to the realization of understanding the importance of dua for himself.

Es-Seyyid Es-Shaykh Taner Mustafa Vargonen Ansari Tarsusi er Rifai el Qadiri was born in Tarsus, Turkey, to a devout Muslim family of seyyids (descendants of Prophet Muhammad). He completed his university studies in Michigan, where he helped found the Muslim Students Association of the United States and Canada. Shaykh Taner was initiated into the Qadiri Rifai Tariqa in Istanbul under Es-Seyyid Es-Shaykh Muhyiddin Ansari, from whom he received his license to teach Sufism. His spiritual lineage also includes the Naqshbandi, Mevlevi, and Bektashi orders. Under his Shaykh's orders, Shaykh Taner founded a new order called Ansari Qadiri Rifai Tariqa (AQRT). Shaykh Taner teaches Sufism and the Holy Qur'an and gives weekly talks internationally through live classes on the Internet. He has spoken about Islam and Sufism, alternative healing, and sustainable living in radio interviews, at churches, synagogues, schools and universities, among them Harvard University, Humboldt State University, Napa Valley College, Boston University and at the Annual Sufism Symposium. Shaykh Taner and his wife Es-Sharifa Es-Shaykha Muzeyyen Vargonen Ansari travel to and have established centers of the order in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Tanzania, Mauritius, Germany, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Shaykh Taner is also a healer. Along with his wife Shaykha Muzeyyen Ansari, he has presented healing workshops worldwide for healers and health professionals and anyone else interested in the healing arts. Shaykh Taner's books and e-books include The Sun Will Rise in the West: The Holy Trail, What About My Wood! 101 Sufi Stories, Surviving 2012 and Beyond, Alternative Healing: The Sufi Way, 2nd Edition, Grand Masters of Sufism, a volume comprised of his translations of Abdul Qadir Geylani's Secret of Secrets and Ahmed er Rifai's Guidance to Mysticism, and, a booklet Ya Sin. He has translated the Holy Qur'an into modern English, to be published shortly. Shaykh Taner also regularly publishes articles on spiritual topics on www.Sufiview.com. He and and his wife Shaykha Muzeyyen reside in New York, where they teach privately and hold regular public lectures and congregational zikr.