Du'a: What is Du'a?

[Abu Hafsat]

As-Salaam alaikum,

 All that we can grasp of Allahu Tabaraka Wa Ta'ala are His Holy Names and Attributes. For this reason, we may picture invocation or Du'a as words which resemble a grappling hook that man flings from our world to the Higher World, hoping to attach it so that he can climb up.

According to Sayyadi Ibn Arabi, may Allah be Merciful to him, in his book, 'Futuhat al-Makkiyya',  ''Du'a  [Invocation] is ritual verbal/worship, not tied to time, place or state, and if man applies himself to it, it produces knowledge and vision in him and enables him to create through the word. Invocation carries or includes every simple or composite word which contains the Name of Allah, either explicitly or implicitly.''

Whoever/Whenever we/you say such words, has the intention of invoking the named one, that is Allah, and being with Him, with or without a specific reason.. is engaged in Du'a.  Therefore, invocation/du'a also encompasses specific invocations, all our worship such as the words of prayer like takbir, tahmid, tahlil, praise..tasbih and other recitations...all the glorifications and awrad..  Since invocation is not tied to time, place or state, it is therefore the only worship permanently required of man at every instant. Note this well.