Call Upon Me, I Will Answer: The Power of Duʿāʾ in Islam

As-salāmu ʿalaykum brothers and sisters,

This week in Islam Illuminated, we turn our attention to a deeply moving verse from the Qur’an that reveals both the mercy and justice of our Lord. Found in Surah Ghāfir (40:60), the verse reads:

This ayah powerfully reminds us of the importance of duʿāʾ (supplication) as a form of worship, and it warns against the spiritual disease of arrogance. Let’s reflect on its lessons and how we can live by its message.

Duʿāʾ: A Direct Connection to Allah ﷻ

The verse begins with a divine invitation: “Call on Me”. Allah ﷻ, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, is speaking directly to us, telling us to call upon Him, ask of Him, and rely on Him. This shows that duʿāʾ is not just a ritual—it is a sign of faith and closeness to our Lord.

In a well-known hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

This hadith shows us that making duʿāʾ is more than a request—it is an act of devotion. Every time we raise our hands to ask Allah ﷻ for guidance, help, or forgiveness, we are demonstrating our submission and trust in Him.

A Promise of Response

Allah ﷻ follows the command to “call on Me” with a promise: “I will answer your prayers.” This assurance gives comfort to every believer. Whether your heart is heavy, your path is unclear, or your strength is failing—Allah ﷻ hears you.

But sometimes, we don’t see our duʿāʾ answered in the way we expect. Yet the Prophet ﷺ clarified that every sincere prayer benefits the believer:

So no sincere prayer goes unheard. Allah ﷻ answers in the best way and at the best time.

The Danger of Arrogance

The second part of the verse shifts tone: “But those who are too arrogant to worship Me will certainly enter Hell, in disgrace.” Here, we learn that refusing to worship or make duʿāʾ out of pride is a serious sin. It’s not just a missed opportunity—it’s a sign of arrogance that leads to disgrace in the Hereafter.

This was the very quality that led Iblīs to be cast out of Paradise. He refused to obey Allah ﷻ out of pride, thinking himself superior. Arrogance distances the heart from Allah, and it blocks a person from humbling themselves in prayer.

Even the most righteous people, like the Prophet ﷺ and his companions, made frequent duʿāʾ. The Prophet ﷺ used to seek Allah’s forgiveness over 70 times a day (Sahih al-Bukhārī, 6307). If he ﷺ, the best of creation, turned to Allah constantly, how can we afford to neglect it?

Make Duʿāʾ Your Daily Companion

Here are a few simple ways we can act on this verse:

• Make duʿāʾ part of your daily routine—not just in times of crisis, but in moments of ease and gratitude.

• Teach your children to rely on Allah ﷻ through duʿāʾ, even for small things.

• Avoid self-reliance in matters of the heart and soul. Even with all the resources in the world, nothing moves without Allah’s will.

• Stay humble—remember that duʿāʾ is not weakness; it is the strength of the believer.

Conclusion: The Open Door of Mercy

Surah Ghāfir, verse 60, reminds us that Allah ﷻ is never too far—He is waiting for us to call upon Him. His door is always open, but it requires humility to walk through. The reward for doing so is closeness to Him, and the danger of ignoring it is disgrace.

Let us be among those who call upon Allah ﷻ often and with sincerity, trusting in His response and always remembering that duʿāʾ is a bridge between the heart of the servant and the mercy of the Lord.

Jazāk Allāhu khayran.