SECOND REMINDER. FRIDAY. PERFECTION of OUR DUA IF WE WANT IT TO BE ANSWERED BY ALLAH. BismilLah Dua is defined as any invocation or prayer addressed to Allah (SWT) alone. In our times, we find many reasons why people do not make Dua; we forget, don't know how and make it any how, or just do not think it will be answered due to our lack of knowledge. Fundamental to this is the loss of dependence and trust upon Allah. As Muslims there is something very wrong when we believe our Duas won't be answered. We do not turn to Allah in our times of need and instead put our trust, dependence and hopes on worldly things that we think will help us. We find many re-assurances of Allah throughout the Quran for those who make Dua. Allah the Exalted, has said: "And your Lord says: Pray unto me: and I will hear your prayer" (Quran40:60),"Call upon your Lord Humbly and in secret" (Quran 7:55) "When My servants question thee concerning Me, I am indeed close(to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when hecalleth on Me" (Quran 2:186), "Is not He (best) who listens to the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him, and who relieves its suffering." (Quran 27:62). Our mother Aisha radhiallaahu anha said, "No believer makes Dua and it is wasted. Either it is granted here in this world or deposited for them in the Hereafter as long as we does not get frustrated. The Prophet says "Ad-Du'aa Huwal-ibaadah (Dua is Ibadah or worship) so calling upon anyone other than Allah in one's Dua is Shirk. This is an important condition of having one's Dua accepted; the Dua should not be directed to other than Allah alone. A second condition would be sincerity or Hudoor alqalb, having the heart present. Also, one's food, drink, clothes and lifestyle should be Halal. One should avoid unlawful, impious or forbidden sources or means of livelihood. Fourth, one cannot ask for something sinful or Haram. Lastly one should have expectation, belief with certainty only Allah can answer the Dua. Understanding dependence on Allah and asking with absolute resolve and believing with certainty that one's Dua will be answered is also a condition of acceptance. One should not say "O Allah do this...if you wish..." because one should appeal to Allah with determination, for nobody can force Allah to do something against HIS Will. If one fulfills these conditions, Allah will definitely answer the Dua, avert some equivalent evil or give better in the Hereafter. In shaa Allah. We ask Allah to answer our dua by His Rahmah. Aameen.