Is after Asr the best time for Duaa?
Answer
Indeed making Duaa and asking from Allah Ta’ala is a great act of worship. The Messenger of Allah Salla Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam says in a Hadith.
الدعاء مخ العبادة
“Supplicating to Allah Ta’ala is the essence of worship”. Whenever any calamity falls upon us or we are in need of anything, let it be with regards to the Dunya or Aakhirat, before resorting to any worldly means, we should ask from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. There is no prescribed time for supplicating to Allah Ta’ala. The doors off acceptance are always open. However, there are some opportune moments which hold special virtue, because of which supplications made during those times are more likely to be accepted. Some of those moments are listed here:
1) On the night of Qadr
2) On the day of Arafah
3) During the month of Ramadhan
4) The night preceding Jumuah
5) The entire day of Jumuah
6) During the second half of the night
7) During the first third portion of the night
8) During the final third portion of the night
9) At the time of Suhoor
10) A special moment on Friday known as Al Sa’atul Ijaabah
Now with regards to the special moment on Friday, the Ulema have differed regarding its specification.
Some Ulema are of the opinion that it falls between when the Imam gets up for the Khutbah and the completion of Salah. Some say it occurs during the actual Jumuah prayer. Some say it takes place between Asr and Maghrib. Many Ulema say it is right before sunset. Abu Zar Ghifari R.A was of the opinion that it takes place just after zenith (Zawaal) till the sun declines to one arms length. Imam Jazri R.A is of the opinion that it takes place when the Imam is reciting Surah Fatiha until he says Ameen. Imam Nawawi R.A states that it is the time when the Imam sits on the Minbar (Pulpit) until the termination of the Jumuah prayer.
In conclusion, one should constantly supplicate to Allah on the day of Jumuah, so that he does not miss out on this opportune moment.
Note: It should be remembered that according to the Ahnaaf, if one makes Duaa during the Khutbah or between the two Khutbas, he should not raise his hands, but should make Duaa silently in his heart.
Other times when Duaa’s are also accepted are:
11) While the Azaan is in progress
12) When forming ranks in the battlefield
13) When the battle is in its fiercest moments
14) After the Fardh Salaah
15) During Sajdah (Only those Duaas should be made which are in Quraan or Hadeeth
16) After the recitation of the Holy Quraan
17) After the completion of the Holy Quraan
18) When drinking the water of ZamZam
19) When one is breathing his last
20) When the rooster crows
21) When there is a gathering of the Muslims
22) After the Imam says Wa La Dhaaleen
23) When closing the eyelids of the deceased
24) When the Muazzin says Iqaamah
25) When it rains
26) When ones eyes fall on the Kaba
(Ismail K 1/13)