A Muslim Prayer (Du’a)

By Mahnaz Mehdi Shabbir, An American Muslim Woman

March 31, 2003

Printed in the National Catholic Reporter Newspaper

“In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful”

O ye people! Verily, We have created you of a male and female, and made you in nations and tribes, that we may recognize each other; Verily the most honored of you with God is the one of you who guarded himself the most against evil, verily God is All-Knowing, the All-Aware. (Qur’an 49:13)

Dearest God, during this time of unrest among tribes, I need to reach out to my faith and to find solace in God’s words. It’s difficult for me to think that in our wonderful world, there are people who want to hurt other people. I look to you, God, to help me understand why this happens.

I know you created this verse from our Holy Qur’an for all in the human race—not just for Muslims. 

You want men, women, old, young, nations and tribes to know each other.

Why would you do that? Would it not be easier if we were all the same?

If we were the same, would we not stop hurting each other?

 But you purposely said, “made you in nations and tribes, that we may recognize each other”.  So, you want us to be different. You want us to learn from each other. And by not doing so, we are not following your words.

But somehow, the people have forgotten your words. For many, nationalism is foremost. 

So why do we, the  people not listen to your words?

We are told to give into God’s plan. That you are the “All-Knowing, the All-Aware”. Then why are there people who want to kill each other?

Dearest God give me the wisdom so that I can learn from your Guidance since you are All Knowing and All Aware.

Dearest God, I pray for the innocent women, children and men of Iraq. I pray they will forgive us for what we as a country are doing to their country. I pray that our leaders support the people of Iraq so that they can grow and prosper after this war. I pray that our leaders do not make the same mistakes again as they have done in this foreign policy and past foreign policies. I pray that our leaders dispel their hidden agendas.

I pray for the United States soldiers. I pray they understand they are fulfilling a job that the United States government has asked them to do, that they befriend the people of Iraq, that they protect the people and religious shrines that are the foundation of the people’s existence for over 1300 years, and that they come home safely. I pray that they understand that peace rallies are not against them. But rather they are for world peace so that they do not have to fight.

I pray for the family of the United States soldiers, that they find solace.

I pray for the American Muslims who are living in fear of escalating hate crimes to them.  I pray that they not live in fear anymore.

I pray for all Americans that they can find unity in hope.

Dearest God, grant us, all of humanity, the  wisdom to learn from your guidance and give us peace, faith, love and hope for the future and to submit to your will.

Definition of du’a: A du'a is calling upon God by addressing him with one's own praise, thanksgiving, hopes and needs.  In addition to the required five times daily prayer as stated in the Quran, Muslims are encouraged to practice du'a, raising their hearts and minds to God frequently throughout the day in their own words.

About the Author: Mahnaz Shabbir lives in Stilwell, Kansas.   She is a first generation American Muslim Woman. Her parents immigrated to the United States in the 1950s from India. She was born in Philadelphia and has lived in the Kansas City area for the last 23 years.  She is married and the mother of four boys-second generation Americans.  She is the Vice President for Strategic Planning and Business Development at Carondelet Health, a Catholic health care system in Kansas City, Missouri. Mahnaz is a board member of the Crescent Peace Society, the American Muslim Council-Heartland Chapter and Cres (Interfaith) and The Boy Scouts of America..   She has created two websites to foster peace. They are www.americanmuslimwoman.com and www.communitypeace.com.