From an illuminated Ottoman dua kitabi or ???rayer book??by Hasan Rashid (Istanbul, 1845) once the property of a Topkapi harem lady.

The Arabic term ???u?????is generally translated into English as ???rayer?? though a more exact rendering would be ???upplication?? 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 Muslims connect with God and ask him for forgivness or appeal for his favour. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said ???ua 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