Transliteration:( Ud'oo Rabbakum tadarru'anw wa khufyah; innahoo laa yuhibbul mu'tadeen )
"Call upon your Lord humbly and in secret [136]. Indeed, He does not like those who transgress [137]."
(Kanzul Imaan Translation)
This verse establishes that dua (supplication) and zikr (remembrance of Allah) are ideally performed silently and humbly. Though both silent and vocal forms are permissible, silence is preferred if vocal recitation leads to showing off. However, if the intention is to inspire others, vocal zikr becomes preferable. This is supported by the Qur’an:
“If you give charity openly, then what a good thing it is” (Surah 2:271),
and
“Remember Allah as you used to remember your fathers” (Surah 2:200).
These examples justify vocal remembrance practices such as Azaan, Talbiyah, loud Qira'at in Fajr, Maghrib, Jumu'ah, and Takbeer-e-Tashreeq, which are all well-established in Islamic tradition. For deeper insights, one may refer to Ja’al Haqq.
The verse hints that even in vocal zikr, overly loud recitation is disliked. Jurists recommend keeping Qira’at during Salaah within moderate volume. This is also why loudspeakers for Salaah are discouraged, as they create unnecessary noise. The Qur’an advises:
“Do not offer your prayer loudly, nor silently, but seek a middle course” (Surah 17:110).
Transgression includes asking for impermissible things (e.g., "Make me a prophet", or "Don’t let me ever die"), or making overly detailed worldly demands in Jannah (e.g., "Grant me a white palace with fifty grape vines"). Also, loud zikr during sensitive times like Jihad—where silence is crucial—falls under this warning. Thus, balance and sincerity are the core teachings.
55. Invoke your Lord Tadarru`an and Khufyah. He likes not the aggressors. 56. And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, and invoke Him with fear and hope. Surely, Allah’s mercy is (ever) near unto the good-doers.
Allah commands His servants to supplicate to Him, for this will ensure their welfare in this life and the Hereafter. Allah said,
(Invoke your Lord Tadarru`an and Khufyah) meaning, in humbleness and humility. Allah said in a similar Ayah,
(And remember your Lord within yourself) ﴿7:205﴾ It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari said, “The people raised their voices with supplications but the Messenger of Allah said,
(O people! Take it easy on yourselves. Verily, you are not calling one who is deaf or absent, rather, the One you are calling is All-Hearer, Near (to His servants by His knowledge).) Ibn Jarir said that,
(Tadarru`an), means obeying Him in humility and humbleness,
(and Khufyah), with the humbleness in your hearts and certainty of His Oneness and Lordship not supplicating loudly to show off.
It was reported that `Ata’ Al-Khurasani narrated from Ibn `Abbas, who said about Allah’s statement,
(He likes not the aggressors) “In the Du`a’ and otherwise.” Abu Mijlaz commented on,
(He likes not the aggressors), “Such (aggression) as asking to reach the grade of the Prophets.” Imam Ahmad narrated that Abu Ni`amah said that `Abdullah bin Mughaffal heard his son supplicating, “O Allah! I ask you for the white castle on the right side of Paradise, if I enter it.” So `Abdullah said, “O my son! Ask Allah for Paradise and seek refuge with Him from the Fire, for I heard the Messenger of Allah saying,
(There will come some people who transgress in supplication and purification)” Ibn Majah and Abu Dawud recorded this Hadith with a good chain that there is no harm in, and Allah knows best.
Allah said next,
(And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order) ﴿5:56﴾. Allah prohibits causing mischief on the earth, especially after it has been set in order. When the affairs are in order and then mischief occurs, it will cause maximum harm to the people; thus Allah forbids causing mischief and ordained worshipping Him, supplicating to Him, begging Him and being humble to Him. Allah said,
(and invoke Him with fear and hope) fearing what He has of severe torment and hoping in what He has of tremendous reward. Allah then said,
(Surely, Allah’s mercy is (ever) near unto the good-doers) meaning, His mercy is for the good-doers who obey His commands and avoid what He prohibited. Allah said in another Ayah,
(And My mercy envelopes all things. That (mercy) I shall ordain for those who who have Taqwa.) ﴿7:156﴾. Matar Al-Warraq said, “Earn Allah’s promise by obeying Him, for He ordained that His mercy is near to the good-doers. ” Ibn Abi Hatim collected this statement.
(7:55) Call upon your Lord with humility and in secret. Surely He does not love transgressors.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
[379]- In supplication or otherwise.
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