Etiquette of Du'a and Rememberence
1. Supplications must be purely for Allah's sake. The Prophet said, "Deeds are measured by intentions [of the doer], and one is judged accordingly: if one's emigration is for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, it will count as such; [yet], if his emigration is for the sake of worldly gains or marriage, it will count as such."2. Remembrance must be in its own assemblies. The Prophet said, "Whenever a number of [Muslim] people assemble for remembrance of Allah, Lord of Dignity and Majesty, angels throng to their assembly, mercy envelops them, tranquility and peace descend upon their souls, and Allah mentions them among those in His presence."
3. There must be no limitations to Allah's remembrance. It is for all times and situations. One does not have to be facing Al-Ka'bah ( the Holy Mosque in Makkah ), nor does he have to be in a complete state of Taharah ( purity of the body ).
In Surat Al-Imran, Ayah 191, Allah says, "Such as remember Allah, standing, sitting, and reclining, and consider the creation of the heavens and the earth...." As reported by Aisha, the Prophet said, "Allah's Messenger used to remember Allah in all conditions."
4. Remembrance assemblies are to be held in clean spots. This is why mosques are recommended for remembrance purposes. In Surat An-Nur, Ayah 36, Allah describes them as "....houses which Allah hath allowed to be exalted and that His name shall be remembered therein...."
5. One's mouth should be so clean that it does not produce offensive smells. For example, the Prophet said, "Whoever eats that plant (garlic) must not come to our mosque [as angels are offended by what offends humans]."
6. One must do remembrance properly so that he can reflect on what he says. According to one Hadith, the Prophet turned a man three times to repeat his Salah (compulsory prayer) for not praying properly. Each time the Prophet instructed him to, "Go back, and pray, for you have not prayed."
7. One should observe his Dhikr acts regulary. However, if, for some reason, he misses his regular Dhikr appointment, he can do it some other time. The Prophet said, "If one misses his Hizb (a number of Suras) or part of it due to sleep, but reads it between the dawn and the noon prayers, it counts as if he read at night."
8. One should do as much Dhikr as possible so that he can be counted - by Allah's permission among Dhakirs (those who remember Allah). The Prophet Said, "When I instruct you to do something, do as much of it as you can."
