DUA IN THE CONTEXT OF 2:186

The entire topic of the book Quran is human beings. And every terminology of the book Quran must be understood within the context of human soul (nafs).

The word dua (دعاء) is generally mistaken as a magical formula when uttered has the power to change one's plight. Lip service or prayers has no place in the Philosophy of Original Islam. The signs of the book Quran is not only for understanding it's nuance but it calls us to live, stay and experience it's magic within us.

Dua in the context of book Quran is not just an invitation or a simple call but a clarion call coming from within us. When we don't understand the furqaan our call or dua can also be directed towards satan (4:117). Polytheist thoughts (mushrikeen) invite us towards fire and Allah invites us towards Hidden garden of enlightenment (jannah) - 2:221

When the right call is activated it rushes to influence our course of direction. This rush that influences our mind and course of direction is called surah in the context of the book Quran. The revelation occurs when our own compilation of thoughts (Al-Qur'an) begins to influence us or rather starts to command us to act. 

Dua is a call of duty or an urge of our nature to align ourselves with our unique role assigned to us by our own unique script (al-kitab) bestowed to us by the Universal Nature. 

To understand the essence of dua in verse 2:186 we must understand the context from verse 2:2 2:23, 2:185 and 2:187...

Thus, when the realization of guidance, criterion and proof is achieved then they should believe in Me that I am near to my servants. I will respond to their call if they truly believe in Myself so that they find the path to their destinations - (2:186) - فَلْیَسْتَجِیْبُوْا لِیْ وَلْیُؤْ مِنُوْا بَیْ لَعَلَّهُمْ یَرْشُدُوْنَ 

Allah is the system of our own conscience or our own innate nature that responds to us, depends upon how or why we approach it. Rabb is our system of consciousness that guides us and make us aware how our own nature works.

Everything in our nature is operating according to the order or priorities we have created in our own-selves. 

Allah never changes His Nature but man changes it - 30:30 -فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ

Again in 33:62 - وَلَنْ تَجِدَ لِسُنَّۃِ اللّٰہِ تَبْدِیْلاً i.e. You will not find any change in Allah's Way or Nature. 

It is this unchangeable nature of Allah which is operative in Man's inner world. One who strives to amend his / her own self and align itself with the Nature of Allah will experience success accordingly. لَیْسَ لِلْاِنْسَانِ اِلَّامَاسَعٰی۔ وَاَنَّ سَعْیَہٗ سَوْفَ یُرَیٰ (laisa lil insaana illa ma sa_a, wa unna sa_yahu saufa yura). 53:39-40.