How to make Du'a.
An excerpt and reflection on the Du'a of Prophet Zakariyyah (AS) to Allah for a child
A’oodhu billaahi mina-sh-shaytaani-rrajeem; Bismillahi-r-rahmaani-r-raheem.
Allah says in Suratul Anbiyaa, verses 89 and 90:
And (remember) Zakariya (Zachariah), when he cried to his Lord: "O My Lord! Leave me not single (childless), though You are the Best of the inheritors."
So We answered his call, and We bestowed upon him Yahya (John), and cured his wife (to bear a child) for him. Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us.
Prophet Zakariyyah like every other prophet of Allah was sent with the message of Allah to his people and they lived up to this noble call with taqwa—piety. But as this went on, Prophet Zakariyyah realized he needed more help, especially with age catching up with him. And so, he asked Allah, The Bestower Of All That Is Good. But in what manner did He do that?
Prophet Zakariyyah (AS) knew the importance of Allah’s message and he was determined to make sure it is sustained after him. But he was getting older, and hence needed someone to carry on this mantle after him, lest his people turn away because the reminders and Allah’s da’wah cease coming to them. Do you see a conclusion? Good! Because that is exactly what his statement implied when he said: "O My Lord! Leave me not single (childless), though You are the Best of the inheritors."1 He wanted a child, as his wife was barren 2 and at the same time, he wanted Allah’s da’wah to progress. So he asked Allah for a child for himself that will continue on the path of his true call — two goals morphed into one.
In this verse, one realizes that Prophet Zakariyyah acknowledged his own helplessness, hence a cry to Allah for assistance — because if Allah doesn’t, who will?! The more interesting note about the verse, however, is the perfection of the appropriacy of the attribute he used in qualifying Allah i.e Al-Waarith — The Inheritor. But he didn’t stop at that; he called Allah by the highest degree of it: The Best of Inheritors. This suits perfectly in the context as he wanted a son to inherit his cause.
Then Allah said in the verse that follows: So We answered his call, and We bestowed upon him Yahya (John), and cured his wife (to bear a child) for him. His du’a had been laden with appropriacy, genuineness and a sincere need. And Allah answered His Du’a. But even more to that, why? Allah proceeds to answer the question, saying: Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us. Aside the excellence of the Du’a Prophet Zakariyyah made, which is more of word of mouth, Allah gives us a look into the excellence of his corresponding actions that played a part in the acceptance of the Du’a.
He ﷻ describes Prophet Zakariyyah and his family3 as a family that hastens to partake in righteous acts, seeks getting closer to Him and obey His commands. Added to that, they call on Allah with earnest desire for their needs, and veneration and fear of Him. Sufyan Ath-Thawri rahimahullah commented, saying: they asked Allah earnestly for what He has (their desires) and a dread for what is with Allah (his test and punishment).4
Additionally and even more necessarily, Allah then describes them with one more attribute, saying: and used to humble themselves before Us. Allah describes them as people who used to completely put themselves down to Him, embracing their helplessness, groveling and clinging onto His might in granting their requests. In another narration by ‘Aliy bn Abi Talhah, with reference to the mighty companion of the Prophet ﷺ, Ibn ‘Abbaas radiyallah ‘anh, he said this meant that they were true believers to the revelation of Allah. Mujaahid rahimahullah said it meant that they were true believers while Abu Sinaan said it meant that they had an irresistible and undiminishing fear for Allah that nothing could oppose in them.
A narration from Abu Haatim traces back to Abdullah bn Hakeem who says: “Abu Bakr radiyallah ‘anh did a sermon for us and he said, “I enjoin you to fear Allah; and you should beseech and exalt Him with the (right) attributes (that He has exalted Himself with); and you should fill yourself with fear for Him and hope for what is with Him, because Allah described the family of Zakariyyah, saying: Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us.”
Du'ā is not beyond us, and relying on Allah for what is beyond us in fact comes with Du'ā. Many narrations from the Prophet ﷺ have also been related as to the etiquettes of calling onto Allah for help. It is necessary that we acknowledge that helplessness, because that allows us to fully sink back to His over and ever-flowing mercy like a child innocently does to its mother's chest. Making Du'ā requires patience, Allah's forgiveness (as sins prevent goodness), good deeds and Du'ā itself for one's request.
May Allah grant you your heart’s desires and make it beneficial for you than you think of it.
Tafseer ibn Katheer
Some narrations like Talhah bn ‘Amr and Muhammad bn Ka’b said she at least had an ailment, but we will get to that in the next verse
Tafseer ibn Katheer
Tafseer ibn Katheer