Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi \u2018alaih) once mentioned the following:<\/p>\n
Du\u2018aa is an extremely great\u00a0\u2018ibaadah and is the essence of all other\u00a0\u2018ibaadaat. (The reason is that du\u2018aa is an expression of humility, and this is what is desired in all\u00a0\u2018ibaadaat). However, from all\u00a0\u2018ibaadaat, it is witnessed that people show the least importance to making du\u2018aa.<\/p>\n
Du\u2018aa is such a thing that even if it is used as a means to beg Allah Ta\u2018ala to fulfil one\u2019s worldly needs, then too, it is still an act of\u00a0\u2018ibaadah (and one will receive reward for it) \u2013 on condition that the du\u2018aa is made for something permissible in sharee\u2018ah.<\/p>\n
In regard to du\u2018aa, some people are under the impression that du\u2018aa is only an act of\u00a0\u2018ibaadah when du\u2018aa is made for things relating to one\u2019s Deen or for works of Deen, or when du\u2018aa is made for seeking success and salvation in the Hereafter. However, this notion is incorrect.<\/p>\n
When some people write to me seeking assistance for certain needs or difficulties which they are experiencing, then instead of them requesting me to make du\u2018aa for their problem, they write, \u201cPlease give us some effective\u00a0\u2018amal or some wazeefah to recite for this need or problem.\u201d To such people, I write the following reply, \u201cI do not have knowledge of any such\u00a0\u2018amal which is so powerful that it will alleviate your problem or fulfil your need. However, you should know well that there is no wazeefah or\u00a0\u2018amal that is as powerful and great as du\u2018aa (hence, you should engage in du\u2018aa, begging Allah Ta\u2018ala to remove your problem or fulfil your need).\u201d<\/p>\n