In Islam, duʿāʾ (Arabic: اَلدُّعَاءُ‎ IPA: [duˈʕæːʔ], plural: ʾadʿiyah أدْعِيَة [ʔædˈʕijæ]) is a prayer of invocation, supplication or request, even asking help or assistance from God. Muslims regard this as a profound act of worship. Muhammad is reported to have said, "Dua is the very essence of worship."