Are There Prerequisites For Acceptance Of Duas?

Are there prerequisites for acceptance of duas?

It is asked to abide by the following principles in order for a dua to be accepted:

1. a) One should repent and ask for forgiveness before dua. Dua of a servant who commits sin and does not stay away from haram does not deserve to be accepted. The following hadith of Prophet Muhammad (saw) draws attention to this matter, “A person who goes on expeditions in the way of Allah and has dust on his clothes and body raises his hands and begs by saying,, ‘O My Allah, O My Allah. in fact, what he eats and drinks is haram, what he wears is haram, and his food is haram. How can dua of such person be accepted?” (Muslim, Zakat, 65; Tirmidhi, Tafsir al-Qur’an, 3)
2. b) One should start making dua with praising Allah and sending peace and blessings to Prophet Muhammad (saw) and should conclude it again with sending peace and blessings to Prophet Muhammad (saw) and praising Allah . According to the narrative related by Fudala ibn Ubaid (ra), he said, “While the Messenger of Allah (saw) was sitting in masjid, a man came, established prayer, and then made this dua: O My Allah, forgive me, have pity on me. Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ‘O ye who establishes prayer, you rushed, when you sit after finishing your prayer, praise to Allah duly, then give salat and salam to me, and then make your dua .’ Another person established prayer after this event. After prayer he praised to Allah and give salat and salam to Prophet Muhammad (saw). He did nothing more. Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (saw) told him, ‘O ye who establishes prayer! Make dua, so your dua is accepted.’” (Tirmidhi, Da’awat, 66; Nasa’i, Sahw, 48)
3. c) Dua should be made sincerely, with modesty, and by begging. It is stated in a verse, “Call on your Lord with humility and in private: For Allah loveth not those who trepass beyond bounds.” (A’raf, 7/55)
4. d) One should make dua insistently. A believer should not be impetuous about his prayer’s being accepted. Prophet Muhammad (saw) says, “Unless any of you becomes impetuous by saying ‘i prayed but it has not been accepted’, his dua is accepted.” (Tirmidhi, Daawat, 12).
5. e) One should make dua in hope and fear. It is stated in the Holy Qur’an, “These (three) were ever quick in emulation in good works; they used to call on us with love and reverence, and humble themselves before us.” (Anbiya, 21/90)
6. f) One should also be careful about the time of dua. Although one may make dua all the time, there are certain times in which duas are accepted quicker. The last part of night before dawn is one of such times. Allah the Almighty praises those who make dua, perform worship, and ask for forgiveness at nights and says in the Holy Qur’an, “They were in the habit of sleeping but little by night. And in the early hours of dawn, they (were found) praying for forgiveness.” (Dhariyat, 51/17-18). When he was asked, “O the Messenger of Allah, which dua is more accepted?’’, Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, ‘‘It is the dua made at midnight and after fardh prayers.” (Tirmidhi, Da’awat, 80).

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA