The meaning for Thikr and Dua are both included in each other.  What is noticeable is the person who supplicates to Allah remembers Him. Likewise the one remembering Allah supplicates to Him. The Meaning for this is found in the hadeeth when the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa salim) said:

” أَفْضَلُ الدُّعَاءِ دُعَاءُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ،  عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

The best supplication is the dua for the Day of Arafah,: There is absolutely no deity worthy of worship but Allah, He is alone without any partners. To him belongs the dominion of the heavens and earth, and to Him belongs all praises. Allah has the ability to do everything.[ Al-Bayhaqi Kubara 5/117.Al-Bayhqai graded this hadeeth as being weak]

What’s more is the Dua for Grief:

لا إله إلا أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظالمين لا يدعو بها رجل مسلم في شيء قط إلا استجاب الله له

There is absolutely no deity worthy of worship, except you, and verily I have been among those people who oppress. Any Muslim asking Allah through this supplication will be answered.[ Hakim 1/505 Al-Hakim graded this hadeeth as being authentic]

The book Ad-Dua by At-Tabarani contains various remembrances of Allah. The scholars of Fiqh consider the various remembrances done prayer as supplication.

There are three instances and situations for remembering Allah:

1: The intention to have a request granted only.
2: The intention to remember Allah only
3: To have a request honored and remember Allah together.

At any rate whenever the person intends one of these actions, the other action will be achieved. This is similar to a person pleading a request. It’s a must that he attaches great importance to the heart, know Allah and fear Him. On one hand, the individual who intends to remember Allah, worship Him and make everything other than Allah a means to reach his goal. On the other hand the person who only wants to have his needed fulfilled, he places Allah as a means to reach this objective. This is the servant of Allah. He knows and is aware that it is Allah Who causes harm and benefit. There is no Lord other than Allah.

Taken from Jam’I Masa’il 8 /18/ pg 12-15
Translated by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Lamont Battle Sr.
Doha, Qatar
http://abuaaliyah.multiply.com/journal/item/229

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• Most Superior way of asking for Forgiveness from Allah
• “Oh Turner of the Hearts, keep our Hearts firm on Your Religion”
• Supplication of Yousuf (Peace be upon him)

1565: On the authority of Anas ibn Maalik (radhi Allaahu ‘anhu) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (sallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to say

Allahumman fa’nee bi-maa ‘allam-ta-nee wa ‘allim-nee maa yanfa’u-nee
war zuq-nee ‘ilman yanfa’u-nee

O Allah! benefit me with what you have taught me, teach me what will benefit me
and provide me with knowledge that will benefit me.

[Collected by an-Nasaa'ee in al-Kubraa: 7868 and al-Haakim: 1:510]

1566: at-Tirmidhee has a similar hadeeth on the authority of Abee Hurayrah (radhi Allaahu ‘anhu) where the Messenger (sallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) says at the end of it

Wa zid-nee ‘ilman al hamdulillah ‘ala kulli haal wa a’oothu billahi min haal ahlin naar

“And increase me in knowledge. All praise is for Allaah in all circumstances and I seek refuge with Allaah from the condition of the people of Hell.”

[Saheeh at-Tirmidhee (3599). Authentic excluding "all praise for Allaah....." unto the end]

Explanation :

“Oh Allaah, benefit me by that which you have taught me…”

 This is because) a person could have knowledge of something but not gain any benefit from it and his knowledge (would then) become a proof against him. He would become like a donkey carrying books, carrying around knowledge but not receiving anything from them

So the intent is not merely to gain knowledge. However, the intent is (to gain) knowledge and action, the knowledge that benefits (its possessor

 As for knowledge that isn’t beneficial, then this doesn’t aid the person at all. Rather, he will be from the foremost to be roasted in the Fire on the Day of Resurrection as it is authenticated in the hadeeth.

 “Teach me that which will benefit me…”

 Because if Allaah doesn’t teach an individual, he will not learn anything. Just as the angels said

 “Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what you have taught us.” [2:32]

So you are asking Allaah to teach you what will benefit you and benefit you by what He teaches you

“And provide me with knowledge that will benefit me.”

He (sallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) didn’t just say “knowledge” only. Rather he said “knowledge which will benefit me.” Knowledge that is of no benefit will be a proof against the one who has it

So in this (hadeeth) there is a very important regard for (beneficial) knowledge and that the Muslim should ask Allaah to teach him what will benefit him and to make his knowledge beneficial for him and not a proof against him

And in this hadeeth proves that knowledge is connected to action. So there is no benefit in action(s) without knowledge instead it will be a cause for misguidance. And likewise there is no benefit in knowledge without action. Rather that would enrage Allaah, Glorified be He and Most High

This is why we supplicate daily

 ”Guide us to the straight path. The path of those whom you have bestowed your grace upon.”- 1:6-7

They are the people of knowledge and action

“Not the way of those who earned your anger.” – 1:7

They are the people of knowledge without action

“Nor those who are astray.” – 1:7

They are the people of action without knowledge

Hence there isn’t any benefit in knowledge without action nor action without knowledge. They must be united with one another

“And increase me in knowledge…”

This comes in the Qur’aan

And say: Oh my Lord increase me in knowledge.” – 20:114

No matter how much a person attains of knowledge he is still ignorant. That which he is ignorant of outweighs that which he has knowledge of by far. So no one should have the audacity to say: “I’m finished (seeking knowledge), I’ve gained an abundant amount of ‘ilm.” No, let him ponder over the statement of the Most High

But over all those endowed with knowledge is the All-Knowing (Allaah).” 12:76

So (in this du’a) you are asking Allaah to be increased in beneficial knowledge

“All praise is for Allaah in all circumstances and I seek refuge with Allaah from the condition of the people of Hell”

This is praising and exalting Allaah in all situations. Therefore the Muslim praises Allaah in all situations. In good times he praises Allaah and in bad times he still praises Allaah, and he seeks refuge with Allaah from the condition of the people of Hell.

Related Links:

• Word-Word by-Word Study Chart of the Supplication for Gaining Knowledge – PDF
  Designed and translated by Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee, Daar-ul-Kutub Publications

Question:

May Allah give you good. The sister says: I supplicate oh Shaykh, I supplicate to Allah saying: “Oh Allah verily I ask You to hasten for me marriage.”  Is asking Allah to hasten your dua from the reasons the dua will not be accepted?

Shaykh Fawzan: Requesting for Allah to hasten the dua is not from the reasons that dua will not be accepted.

When the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah are upon him, supplicated for rain he said:

Oh Allah! Pour down upon us a wholesome rain, now not later.

This is because there is benefit in the supplication being hastened for the person.

As for being hasty in supplication it is for the person to say: “I supplicated and supplicated and I was not answered.” Thus they give up making dua. This is what is prohibited.

Translated by Rasheed ibn Estes Barbee
http://mtws.posterous.com/is-it-correct-to-ask-allah-to-hurry-when-maki

Related articles

• “Oh Turner of the Hearts, keep our Hearts firm on Your Religion”
• Most Superior way of asking for Forgiveness from Allah
• Preserve These Eight Rak’ah and Stay Out Of Hell – By the Will of Allaah!

From Urwah that Aaishah said, “When I saw that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was in a pleasant mood I said, ‘O Prophet of Allaah! Supplicate to Allaah for me.’

He said, ‘O Allaah! Forgive Aaishah her sins of the past and the future and [any sins] she has kept hidden and what she has made public.’

So Aaishah laughed until her head fell into the lap of the Prophet of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم due to her laughter.

So he said, ‘Does my supplication please you?’

So she replied, ‘And why shouldn’t your supplication please me?’

So he said, ‘By Allaah! It is my supplication [which I make] for my nation in every prayer.’”

Silsilah | 2254 | Hasan

Morning Evening Supplications

Yaa Hayyu yaa Qayyoomu birahmatika ‘astagheethu
‘aslihlee sha’nee kullahu wa laa takilnee ‘ilaa nafsee tarfata ‘aynin

O Ever Living One, O Self-Subsisting and Supporter of all,
by Your Mercy I call on You to set right all my affairs.
Do not place me in charge of my soul even for the blinking of an eye (i.e a moment) [1]

Listen:

This du’aa is part of the Morning Evening Supplication – Hisn al Muslim (Fortress of the Muslim)
[1] Its chain of transmission is sound (Saheeh), Al-Haakim 1/545, see Albaani, Sahihut-Targhib wat-Tarhib, 1/273

Related Links:

• Invoking Allaah by His Greatest Name, and its Virtue
• Al-Hayy, Al-Qayyoum – Asma wa Sifaat
• The Most Beautiful Names Are For Allah, So Call on Him by Them
• Explanation of Aayatul-Kursee – Dr.Saleh-as-Saleh (rahimuhullah)

Allaahum-maghfir lee maa qaddamatu, wa maa ‘akhkhartu, wa maa ‘asrartu, wa maa a’lantu, wa maa ‘asraftu, wa maa ‘Anta a’lamu bihi minnee. ‘Antal-Muqaddimu (The One Who brings forward) wa ‘Antal-Mu’akhkhiru (The One Who puts back) laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa Anta.
[Muslim 1/534]

“O Allah, forgive me for those sins which have come to pass as well as those which shall come to pass, and those I have committed in secret as well as those I have made public, and where I have exceeded all bounds as well as those things about which You are more knowledgeable. You are Al-Muqaddim and Al-Mu-akhkhir. None has the right to be worshipped except You.”

Note : al-Muqaddim (The One Who brings forward) , al-Mu’akhkhir (The One Who puts back) are the two names of Allaah

Listen:

Related Links :

• Supplication Before The Salaam, & Its Various Types – The Prophet’s Prayer Described – Sifatu Salaatin-Nabee, Shaik Al-Albanee
• [Audio] He is Qadeem (Eternal) with no beginning, and the Ever Lasting with no end (asmawasifaat.wordpress.com)

2886 – From Anas that The Messenger of Allaah – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – said:

‘O Allaah there is nothing that is easy except that You made it easy, and
You can make this difficulty easy if You so wish to’

اللهم لا سهلَ إلا ما جعلتَه سهلاً وأنتَ تجعلُ الحزنَ إذا شئتَ سهلاً

Allaahumma laa sahala illaa maa ja’alta sahlan wa anta taj’alul-huzna itha shitta sahlan

Collected by Ibn Hibban in ‘Saheeh’, Ibn Sunni, and ad-Deeya in ‘al-Mukhtar’ and shaykh Albani declared it Saheeh upon the conditions of Muslim.
[Taken from ‘Silsilah Ahadeeth As-Saheehah’ vol.6 hadeeth nos. 2886 p.902]

http://followingthesunnah.wordpress.com

Related Links:

• The Supplication of distress (Du`aa·ul-Karb)

Ammaa Ba’d:

Upon the authority of Abu Hurairah – Radhiyallahu ‘Anhu – who said: “The Messenger of Allah – Sallallahu Alaihi wa Salam said to me:

“Say ‘Laa Haula Wa Laa Quwwataa Illaa Billaah’ (There is no might or power except with Allah) in abundance, for indeed it is from the treasures of Jannah“

(Collected by Bukhaari (6952) and At Tirmidhi (3601) upon the authority of Abu Musaa Al Ash’aree -Radhiyallahu Anhu)

Meaning this is a treasure that will be preserved and rewarded to the servant in Jannah if he says it!

As far as its meaning is concerned then ‘Laa Haula’  meaning ‘Laa Tahweel’ which is to change from one affair to another. That is there is no ability to change and turn from disobediance and sin except with Allah. As for ‘Laa Quwwata’ then it literally means no power or might, that is one has no power or ability to carry out acts of obediance except with the aid of Allah. Thus the statement is one that bonds and connects the servant to his lord if it is understood.

Upon the authority of Qais ibn Sa’d – Radhiyallahu ‘anhu – who said that the messenger of Allah said:

“Should i not indicate to you a door from the doors of Jannah?” I said: “Of course!” he said: “Laa Haula Wa Laa Quwwata Illaa Billah!“

(Collected by At Tirmidhi (3581) and declared ‘Saheeh’ by Shaikh Al Albaani – Rahimahullah)

Upon the authority of Abu Huraira who said that the Messenger of Allah – Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam – said:

“Should i not teach you (or he said) indicate to you a statement from beneath the throne of Allah from the treasures of Jannah?” Say: “Laa Haula Wa Laa Quwwata Illaah Billah” So Allah says (i.e. when the servant says that) My servant has submitted and surrendered“

(Collected by Al Haakim (54) and declared ‘Saheeh’ By Shaikh Al Albaani in ‘Saheehul Jaami’ 2614)

Indeed when the Messenger went upon the night journey he met the father of the prophets and messengers Ibraaheem who commanded him to convey some advice to his Ummah

Upon the authority of Ibn Mas’ood – Radhiyallahu Anhu – from the messenger who said:

” When it was the night that I went upon the night journey I met Ibraaheem in the seventh heaven- who said to me: “Oh Muhammad! Convey my salaams to your Ummah and inform them that the soil of Jannah is good and its water is sweet and fresh and it is ‘Qee’aan’ (i.e. a beautiful open plain, perfect for cultivating) and that it is cultivated with: ‘Subhaanallah’ and ‘Al Hamdullillah’ and ‘Laa illaaha illallah’ and ‘Laa Haula Wa Laa Quwwata Ilaa Billah’

(Collected by At Tabaraani in ’Al Mu’jam al Kabeer’ and declared ‘Hasan’ by  Shaikh Al Al baani in Saheehul Jaami’)

The Messenger theronafter advised his ummah generally with it and specifically:

Upon the authority of Ibn Umar – Radhiyallahu ‘Anhumaa who said: The messenger of Allah – Sallallahu Alaihi wa Salam – said:

” Be plentiful in sowing the seeds of paradise, for indeed its water is sweet and fresh, and its soil is good, thus be plentiful in planting it’s seedlings ‘Laa Haula Wa Laa Quwwata illaa Billah‘

(Collected by At Tabaraani in ‘Al Mu’jam Al kabeer’ (13354) and declared ‘Hasan’ by Shaikh Al Albaani in Saheehul Jaami’ (1213)

As far as him advising specific individuals then:

His advise to Abu Dharr Al Ghifaari – Radhiyallahu ‘Anhu:

Upon the authority of Abi Dharr:

“Oh Abaa Dharr! Should I not indicate to you a treasure from the treasures of Jannah?: “Laa Haula Wa Laa Quwwataa Ilaa Billah“

(Collected by Ahmad in his Musnad and declared ‘Saheeh’ by Shaikh Naasir in ‘Saheeh Targheeb’ 1585)

His advise to Haazim ibn Harmalah Al Aslami:

“Oh Haazim! Say ‘Laa Haula Wa Laa Quwwata Illaa Billah’ plentifully, for indeed it is a treasure from the treasures of Jannah”

His advise to Abdullah ibn Qais – Radhiyallahu ‘anhu

“Oh Abdullah ibn Qais! Should I not indicate to you a statement that is a treasure from the treasures of Jannah? “Laa Haula Wa Laa Quwwata Illaah Billah”

(Agreed Upon)

His advice to Abu Hurairah – Radhiyallahu ‘Anhu

Upon the authority of Abu Hurairah – Radhiyallahu anhu – who said:

“We were walking with the Messenger of Allah – Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Was Salam – in a garden in Madina when he  said: “Oh Abaa Hurairah” so i responded “I am here at your service Oh Messenger of Allah! so he said: “Indeed those who indulge much (in the life of this world) they will have the least (on the day of Judgement) except one that who does like this and this with his wealth” and he gestured with his hand to the left and the right (ie that he gives his wealth to the left and to the right) “and they indeed are few” then he said: “Oh Abaa Hurairah Should i not indicate to you a treasure from the treasures of Jannah?” so i said: “Certainly Oh Messenger of Allah!” he said:”You should say: “Laa Haula Wa Laa Quwwata ilaa Billah wa Laa Malja’a wa laa manjaa illaa ilaihi” (There is no ability to turn from disobediance nor power to carry out acts of obedience except with Allah. And there is no one protection from evil is sought from, nor one that grants salvation except him.). Then he said “Oh Abaa Hurairah! Do you know what the right of Allah upon his servants is and his servants right upon Allah?” So i said: “Allah and his Messenger know best” He said: “The right of Allah upon his servant is that they worship him and do not ascribe partners with him, and the servants right upon Allah is that he will not punish one who does not acsribe partners with him“

(Collected by Al Haakim in his ‘Mustadrak’ and declared ‘Saheeh’ by Shaikh Al Albaani in Saheeh Targheeb 3261 and As Saheehah: 1766)

‘Laa Malja’a: There is no ‘Malja’a (lit: Something that one seeks protection in or resorts to)

Laa Manjaa: There is no ‘Manjaa’: (lit: one that grants salvation and security)

Wallahu ta’aalaa A’lam

www.twitter.com/abuhakeembilal
http://ah-sp.com/2011/12/20/laa-haula-wa-laa-quwwata-illaa-billah/

No. 2654 – From Abu Hurairah from the Messenger-sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam-:

‘Whoever does not supplicate (make Dua’) to Allaah, then Allaah is angry with him.’

Collected by Bukhari in ‘Adab al-Mufrad’, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, al-Hakim, Ahmad, Ibn Abi Shaybah, al-Bayhaqi in ‘ash-Shawba’ and by Tabaraani. Albani declared it Hasan.

Shaykh Albaani brought a supporting hadeeth from an-Nu’maan –RadhiAllaahu anhu, the wording of which was:

‘Dua’ is worship’ then the Messenger-sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam-: recited: << And your Lord said: ‘Call on Me, (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness,] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!>>

Collected by the collectors of the Sunnan and by other than them. Ibn Hibban, al-Hakim and Dhahabi authenticated it, as well as others.

It is researched in ‘Ahkaam al-Janaiz’, ‘Saheeh Abi Dawood’ and in ‘Rowda al-Nadeer’.

Shaykh Albaani comments:

‘And there is no doubt that staying away from Allaah’s -Ta’ala- worship due to arrogance and not making Dua’ to Him necessitates Allaah’s anger upon the one who does not make Dua’ to Him.  This hadeeth [of Nu’maan] is a strong support for the hadeeth of Abu Hurairah due its meaning and not from its chain.

Some of the ignorant Soofis have neglected these Ahadeeth or have pretended to neglect them.  They claim that making Dua’ to Allaah is inappropriate behaviour with Allaah, they have become affected with an Israeeli narration:

‘His knowledge of my condition spares me from asking from Him.’

So they were ignorant that when the slave of Allaah makes Dua’ to His Lord –Ta’ala- it is not the case that the slave of Allaah is informing Allaah –Subhanahu wa Ta’ala – his need of Him << He knows what is kept secret and that which is yet more hidden. >> rather it is the act of actualization of the Uboodeeyah of Allaah (servitude of worship) and the slave of Allaah’s need of Him and his own impoverishment.

[Taken from ‘Silsilah Ahadeeth As-Saheehah’ vol.6 Hadeeth no. 2654 p.323-326]
http://followingthesunnah.wordpress.com