“AND YOUR LORD SAID: SUPPLICATE ME, I WILL RESPOND TO YOU;...”

Holy Qur’an (40:60)

“SUPPLICATION (DU’A) IS A BELIEVER; WEAPON A PILLAR OF RELIGION, AND A LIGHT OF THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH.”

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)

“And remember Me, I will remember you, and be thankful to Me and not ungrateful.”

Holy Qur’an (2:152)

 “And your Lord says: ‘Call upon Me, I will answer you;’...”

Holy Qur’an (40:60)

Prayer and supplication (du’a) are essential part of all religions. Islam commanded to pray five times a day, in a prescribed order, seems austere to many who have not come to know this blessing. Besides these prescribed obligatory prayers, there are many additional du’as for every occasion that are recommended for Muslims to observe. Imam Zain al- Abidin (a.s.), the surviving son of Imam Hussein (a.s.) spent the entire time of his Imamate recording supplications which have been compiled in a book called, “As- Sahifat Us- Sajjadiyya”, and the du’a of Imam Hussein (a.s.) for the Day of Arafah is very famous for its sublime words and the inspiration they motivate.

Du’a “Kumail”, which we present in this book, is from Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) and which is recited on every Thursday evening in many of the Islamic countries. The importance of the content of this du’a is such that when Imam Ali (a.s.) presented to one of his followers who was called Kumail bin Ziyad, he told him to recite it at least once in his lifetime if he was unable to recite it more than that.

The message of Du’a Kumail is so deep and intense that one can hardly recite it remaining dry-eyed. It speaks of the glory and majesty of Allah, the Most High, of His mercy an kindness, of His retribution and punishment, and of man’s need for Him and thankfulness for His Being.

We have long realized a need to re-edit this wonderful prayer. We have attempted to present Du’a Kumail in a way that can be easily recited in English and its meaning can become clear. A transliteration is also included so that one may be able to recite this du’a in Arabic. It is a universal prayer. We are pleased to present it and hope that all, Muslims and non-Muslims, will partake of its heartfelt message.

With Allah comes success.