dua

Dua, also transliterated duʿāʼ, is an Arabic term that means invocation or supplication. In Islamic usage, dua refers to the personal prayer a believer directs to God (Allah) to seek guidance, help, or blessings. It is distinct from ritual prayer (salah) in that it is a spontaneous, individual communication rather than a fixed sequence of movements.

Etymology and scope: The root daʿā means to call or summon, and dua encompasses a wide range of requests, from gratitude and praise to help in times of distress or need for guidance. While rooted in Islam, the concept of personal prayer or invocation exists in many religious traditions, but the Arabic term dua is most closely associated with Islamic practice.

In the Qur’an and Hadith: Muslims are encouraged to turn to God with dua, and many supplications are recorded in the hadith literature and the Qur’an. A commonly cited theme is that God is attentive to sincere supplication, and He responds in various ways: immediately, after some delay, by granting something better, or by warding off harm. The etiquette of dua often emphasizes sincerity, humility, patience, and avoiding requests that conflict with moral guidelines.

Forms, timing, and etiquette: Dua can be uttered at any time, in any language, and is frequently recited after the daily obligatory prayers, during supplications upon waking, before sleeping, or in moments of hardship. Muslims may use established duas from the Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad’s sayings, or personal, heartfelt requests. Common practices include facing the qibla, raising the hands, and speaking with a respectful, single-hearted intention.

See also: Supplication. In broader cultural contexts, the term dua is also used as a given name in some communities and may appear in various linguistic expressions related to prayer and invocation.