I am sure most of you are aware of the famous dua of Musa (AS) which he made in desperation, which changed everything.
Most people recite it, but miss the real reason it worked:
He had no roof, no family, no food.
He just escaped a murder case. He was exhausted, scared, alone.
And then... he saw two women struggling to fetch water.
What he did next holds the key to how your dua can be accepted too.
He could've turned away.
He could've said, “I have my own problems.”
How many of us let our sadness turn into anger?
But instead, he helped them.
No asking. No expecting. No waiting for thanks.
He gave from a place of nothing - just pure sincerity.
Ibn Kathir notes: “He was tired, hungry, and had nothing. Yet, he did not ask them for food or anything in return.”
This shows his sincerity and reliance on Allah.
Scholars point out that his act of kindness came first, then the du'a.
Qurtubi mentions: This teaches that helping others, especially the weak and women, is a means to Allah’s help and provision.
His heart was broken, but instead of complaining or being bitter, he used his pain to serve.
The dua is powerful but the preceding action is part of the wisdom of the verse.
Many people want to make this dua and expect blessings to pour, but they forget the etiquette of giving before asking.
Only after helping them, he turned away, sat under a tree, and said:
“Rabbi innī limā anzalta ilayya min khayrin faqīr.”
“My Lord, I am in desperate need of any good You send down.”
That was it.
No demands. Just brokenness and hope.
And a dua made with sincerity.
So before you make this dua, help someone sincerely without hoping anything in return from them. And then make this dua.
Notice how his dua has no demands. Just hoping good from Allah. So what you think about Allah while making dua matters too.
Allah would have just mentioned his dua in single verse but he included what he did before it. See:
“So he watered ˹their herd˺ for them, then withdrew to the shade and prayed, ‘My Lord! I am truly in desperate need of whatever provision You may have in store for me.’” (28:24)
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