Title: Power of Dua - Changing God's Will Question: We have always read and heard that Allah is almighty and Powerful. We also know that the time of death for everyone is predetermined. My question is that if one prays to Allah for longevity of someone can Allah not change the predetermined time of death? Answer: Our dua (supplications) may consist of hope, love, goodness, unselfish entreaty, benevolence, and compassion; that is the power of dua . It introduces and stirs within us the purest humanistic elements. Moreover, it orients our sensibilities to the responsibility we have towards our brothers and sisters in the world. When one puts this into perspective they would realize that the main purpose of dua is not change as we please; rather, it is for the hope that we get the best outcome possible. Prayer is not to change any of God's decisions. Anyone who thinks that this what his prayer does is mistaken in God's attributes. Prayer is the most important aspect of our relationship with the Almighty. It is our recognition of our complete reliance and trust in God's mercy and his ultimate decisions on the one hand; and a reminder to ourselves of our surrender, submission and powerlessness in front of His decisions. If taken in its right perspective, dua is the core of worship, as the Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said. For some aspects on the topic, please see: " Our Prayers to the Almighty ." As humans we pray for a lot of things. Many times we really do not realize the significance of what we ask. Yet, in the overall scheme we cannot fathom the complex and intricate details and how they are all tied in together. Take the person watching a sporting event. He prays that God makes his team win. He does not realize that somewhere out there there is another person praying the same exact thing but for the opposite side. Consider the person who wishes to have great wealth not realizing the potential spiritual and moral degradation, not to mention if the person deserves it in the first place. As human beings we have limited foresight but boundless desires. We see clearly what we wish for and are blind to what it entails. This is a detriment to our own selves from within us. As it relates to your question surely God can do anything but He does not just do anything. There is a purpose; a grand design in which a master plan is at work. This is something we cannot perceive due to our limited nature. In your case you wish for the longevity of a loved one. Have you considered how long? Would it be until you die? Have you considered how many years? Or how this would affect the person? There is no doubt that your intentions are good but you may be requesting something that you may regret. What if you were to find out that your request has been granted but realized that in keeping your loved one longer in this world you have deprived the person of time basking in the Light of God? This is not to say that one should not request that God give longevity; rather, it is to point out that one should recognize that having such feelings is a manifestation of God's blessing, which is our humanity. If God so chooses to change an appointed time then it would be His blessed prerogative; knowledge we are not privileged to have. The change, if it would ever take place, would not be a result of our being more merciful than God or having the ability to make God reconsider; rather, it would be God's choice as He deems it regardless of our prayers. Dua does work as mentioned above but this does not mean you should lose hope in what you ask. In fact, things can be attained with prayer as long as we put our efforts forth. God assists us in every aspect of our lives and for that we should be grateful. Sometimes we get caught up in our wishes for this and that and forget the little things, which in fact are tremendous, that occur in our daily lives that He makes happen. May God bless you for nobility within you. Wishing goodness for another being is a step in the direction toward God. I hope I have clarified the issue. God knows best. Ronnie Hassan February 8, 2007