How to make Dua: Tip #24

To Pray quietly

From the etiquettes of making dua, is that one makes dua in a quiet voice.

When making dua, a person should not pray loudly, so that others can hear him. The proper way to make dua is in a subdued voice, as Allah has said in the Qur’an: “Call upon your Lord with humility, and in secret. Verily, He does not like the aggressors. [The Qur’an: Surah al-A’raf 7:55]

That is why Allah praised the dua of Zakariyya: “When he made a dua to his Lord in secret (or privately). [The Qur’an: Surah Maryam 19:3]

This principle is reinforced in the hadith: “Once, the Companions were travelling, and loudly engaging in dhikr (remembrance of Allah). The Prophet [May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him] said: “O people! Be gentle on yourselves, for you are not calling someone who is deaf or absent. Rather, you are calling the One Who hears everything, Ever-Close”. [al-Bukhari #6384]

Firstly, it is a sign of strong iman, as the person demonstrates that he firmly believes that Allah can hear even the quietest of prayers and thoughts. Secondly, it is a sign of respect and manners in front of Allah. For, just as it is considered improper for the servant to raise his voice in front of his master, or the peasant in front of the King, then it is even more so regarding a slave and his Creator. Thirdly, it is a means of achieving humility and humbleness, which is the essence of worship. The one who is humble does not ask except meekly, whereas the one who is arrogant asks loudly. So softening the voice aids one in achieving this desired humility in dua.

Fourthly, it is a means of achieving sincerity, since others will not notice him. Fifthly, it aids the heart in concentrating on the dua, since raising one’s voice loudly distracts one from one’s thoughts. So, to make a dua quietly will help the person keep his thoughts together, and not be distracted from the state that he is in.

Sixthly, it shows the closeness that the true believer feels to his Creator. So it is a means of strengthening the relationship that the believers should have with Allah, as it allows him to feel that Allah is closer to him than any other object. Hence why Allah praised Zakariyya when He described his dua as being secret.

Seventhly, it aids a person in continuing the dua and not breaking off. This is because it is easier on the tongue and body, for it does not wear out or tire a person, in contrast to one who makes a dua loudly.

Eighthly, it causes less distraction, for raising one’s voice brings about the attention of others, and leads to a person becoming conscious of his surroundings. However, if he lowers his voice, then he will be able to cut himself off from his environment and not be distracted by it.

Lastly, it prevents a person from being the target of envy and jealousy. For indeed, men and jinn are full of evil souls that envy others, and there is no greater cause for enmity than to see a person turn to Allah in private conversation, engrossed in His remembrance. So if a person makes Dua silently, he protects himself from this evil.

So the Companions of the Prophet [May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him] understood the importance of saying a dua silently. Ibn Abbas stated: “A silent dua is seventy times better than a loud one!” [Ibn al-Mubarak in his al-Zuhd #40]