THE IMPORTANCE OF
SUPPLICATION

Across cultures and traditions, the act of supplication—earnestly asking for help or expressing a need—has been seen not merely as a ritual, but as a powerful expression of human consciousness. In Islamic tradition, several sayings of the Prophet highlight this central role of supplication in a person’s life and moral development. A few of these sayings include:

“Indeed, supplication is worship.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 18386)

“Supplication is the essence of worship.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 3371)

“Whoever does not ask God, He becomes displeased with him.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 3373)

“Nothing averts destiny except supplication.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2276)

“No one offers a supplication without God granting it—either by fulfilling the request or by averting an equivalent harm—so long as the supplication is not for something sinful or for severing family ties.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 3381)

“There is nothing more honourable in the sight of God than supplication.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 3829)

“Ask God for His bounty, for He loves to be asked.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 3571)

“Supplication benefits against what has already descended and what has not yet descended. So, O servants of God, be constant in supplication.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 3548)

“Let each of you ask his Lord for all his needs—even if it is only a broken sandal strap.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 3604)

The one who prays places themselves in the position of absolute helplessness, and places God in the position of absolute power. Supplication is, on the one hand, an admission of one’s true condition—and on the other, a recognition of God’s true majesty. This is the highest form of realism. And realism, without a doubt, is the most meaningful act in this world. In a world created as a test, there is no deed greater than the acknowledgment of reality.