Dua

In Islam a Dua is an act of supplication to God. According to the handy wikipedia:

The term is derived from an Arabic word meaning to 'call out' or to 'summon', and Muslims regard this as a profound act of worship. This is when Muslim people from all over connect with God and ask him for forgiveness and favors. The Islamic prophet Muhammad is reported to have said "Dua is the very essence of worship," while one of Allah's commands expressed through the Qur'an is for them to call out to Him:

"And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer)!" ^[1]

A few weeks ago one of my best friends, Nadia, texted me and asked what I thought of cemeteries. It is interesting, her text came the day after I attended a funeral for a friend. I told her cemeteries didn't freak me out or anything. Turns out there is a special dua that Muslim's are to perform on behalf of the dead.

This website will show you the details of the dua itself. www.duas.org/visitgraves.htm

Nadia had never been to a cemetery, but Austin has an Islamic section at Cook-Walden, and she wanted to go serve her fellow faithful believers and perform this dua. We donned scarves to cover our hair out of respect and visited the graves of people we didn't even know. Her mom came with us. Nadia read a few duas in English. Then her mom read them in Arabic. There was one that was read seven times. Nadia explained to me that if that dua is read, the deceased would then have a light appear with them in their grave, with the idea that they would have light until the resurrection.

When we left there was a nice peaceful feeling. Nadia experienced the joy that comes from selfless service.

I was trying to think of what might be similar in my own faith. While reading the last conference address by President Thomas S. Monson, I came across a quote by Joseph F. Smith. The address was on temple work. As a Latter-Day Saint I believe in performing service for the deceased that did not have the opportunity to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ in life. President Smith said,

"Through our efforts in their behalf their chains of bondage will fall from them, and the darkness surrounding them will clear away, that light may shine upon them and they shall hear in the spirit world of the work that has been done for them by their children here, and will rejoice with you in performance of these duties."

What stuck out to me was the mention of a light shining upon the dead.

Is it any wonder similarities are found across the religions? We are all children of a Heavenly Father who loves us and wants nothing more than our eternal happiness.