An-Nu‘man b. Bashir reported God’s messenger as saying, “Supplication is worship.” He then recited, “And your Lord said, If you call on me I will aswer you.”* *Qur’an, xl, 60.Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.
The Essence of Supplication as Worship
The noble hadith from An-Nu'man ibn Bashir establishes the fundamental principle that supplication (du'a) constitutes an act of worship ('ibadah) itself. This profound teaching elevates the status of du'a from mere request to a comprehensive spiritual practice that encompasses humility, dependence, and recognition of Divine Lordship.
The Prophet's immediate recitation of Qur'an 40:60 provides scriptural foundation: "Your Lord said, 'Call upon Me; I will respond to you.'" This divine promise establishes the reciprocal nature of the worshipper-Creator relationship, where human invocation meets guaranteed divine response.
Scholarly Commentary on the Hadith
Classical scholars explain that supplication contains within it the essence of worship: the heart's turning toward Allah, acknowledgment of human neediness, affirmation of Divine ability, and the seeking of nearness to the Almighty. Imam al-Tirmidhi classified this hadith as hasan sahih, indicating its sound authenticity.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali notes that the combination of the prophetic statement with the Qur'anic verse demonstrates that du'a is the core of worship, for it manifests the servant's complete reliance upon the Master. The very act of asking acknowledges Allah's attributes of generosity, power, and responsiveness.
Al-Munawi elaborates that since worship's purpose is to manifest servitude, and nothing demonstrates servitude more than asking from the One who possesses all blessings, therefore du'a constitutes the most comprehensive form of worship.
Practical Implications for the Believer
This teaching transforms the believer's approach to supplication from occasional request to constant spiritual practice. Every moment of need becomes an opportunity for worship when accompanied by sincere du'a.
The hadith encourages persistence in supplication even when answers appear delayed, for the act itself earns divine reward regardless of apparent outcomes. The response may come in the form requested, in a better alternative, or as stored reward in the hereafter.
Scholars emphasize that proper du'a requires presence of heart, humility, lawful sustenance, and turning to Allah before the request. The condition for response is mentioned in the continuation of the Qur'anic verse: "Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible."