The Essence of Worship is Duaa (Supplication)

They say destiny cannot be changed. They say it is written in our books since the conception of the universe. Think again. With the power of the duaa, you can change your destiny and transform your life for the better. 

God knows best. He still listens to us even when He knows what we are going to say. God wants us to come to him and beg him and ask for His help. 

With the proper way of making duaa, inshaAllah our duaas are answered. 

• you have to have belief and faith that God will answer your prayer

• do not lose hope when making duaa. Be persistent but not impatient.

• make sure your not committing a sin that blocks your duaa from being answered 

Benefits of making duaa:

• fulfillment of duaa 

• doors of mercy are opened 

• God will be pleased with you 

• increases knowledge and humility 

• gives contentment and peace

• averts hardships

Never give up hope of Allah’s Mercy.  “Verily your Lord is the One modest and Generous, and when His servant raises his hands to Him in supplication, He is shy from returning them empty.” 

Duaa is most likely answered during certain times and events :

• during the last third of night (before fajr)

• after breaking fast

• during rainfall 

• after each fard prayer

• during traveling

• after adhan

• during sujood ( prostration) 

• during hajj (pilgrimage)

• duaa of the oppressed is always answered 

When making duaa 

• it will be answered immediately 

• it will be answered in the right time

• it will thwart some bad event that would have happened in the future 

• it will be kept for the hereafter and answered then and the reward would be magnificent 

So do not give up. Go to God for all your needs and concerns." Duaa is ibadah" as the prophet (SWT ) used to say. 

Duaa is our potent weapon against all things bad. Duaa is our personal conversation with God. It is liberating and empowering. Use it to your advantage. 

Allah (SWT) says, “When my servants ask you (O Muhammad) concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me. So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright." 

Many Hadith stress the importance of duaa. "Duaa is the weapon of the believer, and the pillar of faith, and the light of the heavens and the earth."

Do not turn to Allah only in trials and tribulations but always return to him in good and in bad. And He will always listen. 

The Power of Istikhara Prayer

Many Muslims neglect or are often misguided about the Istikhara prayer. It is often a forgotten prayer. 

It is a powerful stance to release and submit fully to God in all matters of life. In this two rakaat prayer, we ask God guidance in all that we seek and ask Him for guidance in which option is better for us. So many decisions we have to make daily so leave it to God to guide to the better choices. So make use of this powerful prayer for it will change your life for the better.

As the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told us, pray the istikhara prayer when presented with options in which you don't know which is best. Use the istikhara duaa to seek assistance in all of life's facets. Use this prayer for making decisions in life. 

The misconceptions of istikhara:

• istikhara prayer isn't necessarily answered through dreams

• istikhara prayer should be sincere and fully submit to Gods plans

• istikhara must be recited with its duaa for it to be considered an istikhara prayer

Pray the two rakaat istikhara after any fard prayer and after you are done, recite the following duaa ‘O Allaah, I seek Your counsel by Your knowledge and by Your power I seek strength and I ask You from Your immense favour, for verily You are able while I am not and verily You know while I do not and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allaah, if You know this affair -and here you mention your option or need- to be good for me in relation to my religion, my life, and end, then decree and facilitate it for me, and bless me with it, and if You know this affair to be ill for me towards my religion, my life, and end, then remove it from me and remove me from it , and decree for me what is good wherever it be and make me satisfied with such.’

Modest Clothing for Hijabis

Being a hijabi is a struggle in this day and age and choosing the appropriate clothing is even harder.

There are a variety of ways to dress appropriately and be classic and modern.  

• Swimsuit: you can swim and still be modest. Visit madamme BK website for Muslim modest swimwear 

• Skirt: there are plenty of skirts that are modest yet fashionable. Skirts are a big trend especially the maxi skirts. Visit InayahCollection for modest maxi and flowy skirts

• Hijabs: there are plenty of websites that sell fashionable hijab as well as classic ones. Check SaharaShawls, Hijab-ista, HauteHijab...etc

• Jilbabs: jilbabs are in! There are websites offering great selection and designs of modern jilbabs. Visit WahatJalabiya website 

• Dresses: every hijabi, at some occasion, would like to find a modest yet beautiful dress that doesn't need a jacket/blazer/shirt/tights...etc. visit InayahCollection website for more

• Abayas: abayas can complete an outfit or be the outfit on its own. There are gorgeous abayas that can be statement pieces on their own yet be very modest with monotone colors. Visit InayahCollection for more

Layering shirts, wearing maxi skirts,long flowy tops, and modest swimwear and dresses can transform your wardrobe into a modest collection of beautiful pieces. It's all about matching hijab with the clothing and a statement jewelry/accessory. It can make a difference! 

*visit YouTube hijabi gurus on modest influences, hijab styles, and hijab friendly fashion.