Q & A
Tasneem Institute’s Question and Answer page is your go-to resource for clear, concise, thoughtful answers to pressing questions about Islam. Whether you’re exploring complex theological concepts or seeking practical guidance on everyday matters, our team of scholars provides insights rooted in the Quran, the teachings of Ahlul Bayt, and Shia jurisprudence. Submit your questions and get the clarity you need to navigate your faith journey with confidence.
Supplications
Supplication or dua is not merely a means for the human being to gain material blessings from God. Supplication has a much more broad connotation in the Islamic tradition and is not restricted to a request-based dua. In fact, traditions indicate that dua is the “essence of worship”. Indeed, what a person gains from the very act of speaking to God outweighs any material blessing that can be acquired through dua. Put simply, being in communication with the Creator is an integral part of our spiritual growth in the same way that plants need sunlight to grow and flourish.
Furthermore, God, in His infinite mercy, distributes countless blessings to His servants without them having to ask. This is one of the implications of the divine name “Al-Rahman.” He gives to those who believe in Him as well as to those who deny Him. However, there are certain blessings that are contingent upon dua. Meaning, there are particular favours God will grant only if His servant asks Him and beseeches Him. This is usually the case with spiritual gifts as indicated by the following tradition from Imam al-Baqir (a):
أن عند الله عزوجل ، منزلة لا تنال إلا بمسألة
“Indeed with God there is a degree [of faith] that cannot be attained except by asking…” (al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 466)
Answered by Shaykh Azhar Nasser
The word literally means “O God”. The vocative يا known as حرف النداء has been omitted to highlight than nothing comes before God. The letter م is attached to the end of the word to indicate the presence of on omitted letter at the beginning of the word.
The word اللهم is typically translated as “O God” or “O Allah” but it’s actually an expression whereby you’re invoking Allah by all of His names and attributes that are known and unknown to you.
God has 99 formal names that are known to us but His essence is beyond our comprehension. Thus, as His servants, we call upon Him by His known names and also by the attributes that have been veiled from us.
Answered by: Shaykh Azhar Nasser