Conditions of accepting Du`a are: • You should call upon no one except Allah. • You should seek to draw close to Allah in one of the ways that are prescribed in Shari`ah. • You should avoid seeking a quick response. • The Du`a should not involve sin or severing of the ties of kinship. • You should think positively of Allah. • You should be focused, aware of the greatness of the One upon Whom you are calling. • Ensuring that one’s food comes from permissible sources. • You should avoid aggression in Du`a. • You should not let Du`a distract you from an obligatory duty.

A sinner’s Du`a may be answered as a means of leading him gradually towards his punishment, or for another reason. The fact that a Du`a is not answered does not always mean that the one who is praying is corrupt.

Islam teaches that making Du`a is essential, even if Allah knows your needs. Du`a is an act of worship that can change divine decree and bring the mercy of Allah. Rejecting Du`a goes against the teachings of the Prophet and contradicts belief in divine decree.

Wiping the face with the hands after making Du`a is not prescribed in Islam, because the Hadiths that have been narrated concerning that are inauthentic.

This is how to make du’a: 1. Believing in Tawhid. 2. Sincerity towards Allah Alone in making du’a. 3. Ask of Allah by His most beautiful names. 4. Praising Allah as He deserves. 5. Sending blessings upon the Prophet. 6. Facing the qiblah. 7. Raising the hands. 8. Asking frequently. 9. Having certain faith that Allah will respond. 10. Saying du’a three times. 11. Ensuring that one’s food and clothing are good/lawful. 12. Saying du’a silently.

Among the times when du`a is accepted are the following: 1. Laylat al-Qadar 2. In the depths of the night 3. Following the prescribed prayers 4. Between the adhan and the iqamah 5. When the call for the prescribed prayers is given 6. When rain falls 7. At a certain time of the night 8. A certain time on Friday 9. When drinking Zamzam water 10. When prostrating 11. When hearing the crowing of a rooster 12. Du`a of one who is sick