Turkey: Illuminated folio from an Ottoman dua kitabi or 'prayer book' (1845).

From an illuminated Ottoman dua kitabi or 'prayer book' by Hasan Rashid (Istanbul, 1845) once the property of a Topkapi harem The Arabic term 'du'a' is generally translated into English as 'prayer', though a The Arabic term 'du'a' is generally translated into English as 'prayer', though a more exact rendering would be 'supplication'. 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. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said 'Dua is the very essence of worship', while one of Allah's 'worship' is the very essence of the Prophet Muhammad's 'worship', while one of Allah's 'worship' is the very essence of the Prophet Muhammad's 'worship'. The 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 Muslims to call out to Him: 'Call to Me; I will answer your prayers'. <br/><br/> There is a special emphasis on du'a in Muslim spirituality and early Muslims took great care to record the supplications of Muhammad and transmit them to subsequent generations. These traditions precipitated new genres of literature in which prophetic supplications were gathered together in a single These traditions precipitated new genres of literature in which prophetic supplications were gathered together in single volumes that were memorized, taught - and treasured.