The month of Ramadan is a blessed period in the year of a Muslim. It is important to know as believers, the methodology of attaining the maximum benefit from this blessed month. One of the acts of worship legislated upon us by Allah is dua (supplication). We should be making dua on a regular basis, throughout the year but in the month of Ramadan, duas hold a greater value than the rest of the year.

In the month of Ramadan, our duas should increase. In the Qur’an, Allah mentions some of the questions the disbelievers of Quraish asked the Prophet . When they asked about the hour (day of Judgement), Allah revealed the verse:

“They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the Hour: when is its arrival? Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with my Lord.’” (Surah Al-A’raf v. 187)

When they asked about the Mountains, Allah revealed the verse:

“And they ask you about the mountains, so say, ‘My Lord will blow them away with a blast.’” (Surah Ta’ha v. 105)

When they asked about the story of Dhul Qarnayn, Allah revealed:

“And they ask you, [O Muhammad], about Dhul-Qarnayn. Say, ‘I will recite to you about him a report.’” (Surah Kahf v. 83)

These are just few examples of the many questions and answers Allah has recorded in the Qur’an. Notice how when these questions are asked, Allah commands our Prophet ‘Say’ and then the answer is given. But when the issue of dua is mentioned, Allah says:

“And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.”(Surah Baqarah v. 186)

Allah doesn’t use the word ‘Say’, rather he just gives the answer to show the direct link a believer has with their lord, when you call upon Allah directly, he will answer for sure!

It is not strange to note that this verse in Surah Baqarah is found in between the verses of Fasting. The verse preceding it speaks about the virtue of Ramadan and the verse that succeeds it mentions some of the rulings of fasting during Ramadan. Automatically, there is a direct link between dua and the fasting of Ramadan as the Prophet said:

“The supplications of three persons are never turned away: a just ruler, a fasting person until he breaks his fast, and the supplication of an oppressed person which is raised by Allah to the clouds on the Day of Resurrection, and the gates of heaven are opened for it and Allah says: By my might, I will help you even if it is after a while” (Sunan Ibn Majah No. 1624).

So let us not waste any time in the month of Ramadan insha’allah and let us utilize this month wisely by increasing in our dua to the one who responds to all invocations. When you break your fast at the time of Iftar, make dua. When you pray Qiyamul Layl in the night of Ramadan, make dua. When you are in the Masjid between the Adhan and the Iqamah, make dua. (During times when you cannot go to the masjid due to dire circumstances spend each minute that you would have been there making dua.)

I ask Allah; the most high that he blesses us in Ramadan and that he allows us to increase in our dua within this virtuous month.