One of the great treasures of the heritage of the Shia path of Islam is the vast wealth of beautiful dua'a that have been preserved and handed down to us as heritage of the imams.  There are dua'as for almost any imaginable sort of situation, and represent ready made guides for the etiquette and methodology of calling upon God.  This making of dua'a is an important part of the religion of Islam, and represents an informal communion with God which acts as a counterpoint to the more formal ritual daily prayers.  The word dua'a literally means "to call upon," and this name comes from the fact that the believer calls upon God.  This is based on the commandment and reassurance in the Qu'ran, which says, "call on me, and I will answer you." 

Dua'a is probably much closer and more familiar to what most Christians' and Jews' conceptions of prayer -- an informal and intimate conversation with God in our own words.  Christians who criticize Muslims and say that Islam does not allow for a close, personal relationship with God would do well to learn more about this aspect of Islamic worship.  Dua'a can be offered in the worshipper's own words, and in whatever language he/she feels most comfortable in.  That being said, in the Shia tradition, there are many dua'a written and recited by the Prophet (saws) and the Imams (as) that have been handed down, and that are specially treasured and recited, due to their excellence and beauty in showing the way to approach and call upon the Creator of the Universe, and of ourselves.  This document provides links to online texts and recordings of some of the more well-known dua'a.

Some famous and important dua's

• Dua'a as-sabah'  - This dua'a, written by Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as), is supposed to be recited in the early morning, immediately after the dawn prayer.  http://www.duas.org/sabah.htm 
• Dua'a a'had - Means "dua'a of the covenant."  This short dua'a is to be recited in the early morning, and reported originates with the 12th imam.  It is a voicing of one's allegiance to the 12th Imam, the Imam of the Age, and of one's willingness to follow him and offer whatever help one can to supporting his mission to strengthen and raise Islam and restore justice to the earth. http://www.duas.org/ahad.htm 
• Dua'a Kumayl - Also passed down from Imam Ali (as), this dua'a is traditionally recited on Thursday evenings.  It is a great treatise of sorts on the magnificence of God, the weakness of humans when faced with the temptation of sin, on the depth of God's Mercy and Forgiveness and on the ways of seeking forgiveness from God.  http://www.duas.org/kumayl.htm 
• Dua'a Nudbah - This dua'a is said to have originated in the 12th Imam, Imam al-Mehdi, the imam of our age.  It recounts the missions and struggles of the prophets, from Adam to Muhammad, and the struggles of the Imams and of Muhammad's other close descendants, laments the hardships and ordeals of this time and of this life, and looks forward to the relief offered through the awaited coming of Imam al-Mehdi to bring peace, justice, and security to the world.  Typically recited on Friday, the day when it is said Imam Mehdi will make his reappearance.   http://www.duas.org/nudba.htm 
• Dua'a at-tawassul - a beautiful and famous dua'a for Shia Muslims, it is an intercessionary prayer, seeking the help of God by asking for the advocacy of Muhammad, his daughter Fatimah, and the 12 Imams before God, based on their high status with God.  It was reportedly written by Imam Hassan al-Askari, the 11th Imam, in response to a question from one of his followers as to how to send salawat (prayers of blessing) on the Prophet and ahlil bayt.  This dua'a also acts as an excellent stand alone introduction to the sometimes controversial topics of tawassul, the seeking of nearness to God through the means of intermediaries closer in God's favor to oneself.  Shia Muslims and Sufis support this practice as fundamentally consistent with the command to worship only God, based on the Qu'ran's command to "seek a way (wassila) to your Lord."  Others criticize it.  We leave it to the readers to examine this beautiful dua'a for themselves, and use their reason to reach their own judgement.  http://www.duas.org/tawasul.htm 
• Dua'a at-tawbah - This beautiful dua'a, written by 4th Imam Imam Zainul Abedeen (as), examines the process of turning back (tawwabah) to God in repentence following sin and disobedience.  A masterful and beautiful treatment of the topic.   http://www.duas.org/sajjadiya/s31.htm 
• Dua'a makarimil akhlaq - This dua'a, also by Imam Zainul Abedeen (as) examines the sort of moral traits that a good Muslim should strive for, and expresses a beseeching of God for help to reach toward achieving such moral traits.  http://www.duas.org/sajjadiya/s20.htm 
• Dua'a jawshan kabeer - This lengthy dua'a examines the many Divine Attributes of God.  An excellent way to learn more about one's creator.  http://www.duas.org/jkabeer1.htm 
• Dua'a jawshan sagheer - Written by the 7th Imam Musa al-Kadhim.  This is said to be a very effective dua'a to read, particularly when one is under great hardships and difficulties. http://www.duas.org/jsagheer.htm  
• Dua'a al-iftitah - This dua'a, said to originate with the 12th Imam, is to be recited each night during the month of Ramadan.  It invokes the blessings and mercy bestowed by God on humanity, praises the power of God, and looks forward to the coming of the 12th Imam as an emanation of this Divine Mercy to mankind.  http://www.duas.org/iftitah.htm 
• Ziarat al-nahiyah al-Muqadassa- Beautiful dua'a, said to originate with the 12th Imam. This dua'a is a ziarat (a formal greeting to the dead Imam from afar or while visiting his grave - ziarat literally means "visitation") of Imam Hussain (as), written from the perspective of the 12th imam.  In it, the Imam describes, in heart-rending detail, the hardships faced by Imam Hussain and his companions and expresses his wish that he had been there to help.  http://www.rizvia.com/ziarat/nahiya/index.htm 

Collections of Dua's and sites to learn more

• www.duas.org  An excellent resource, with a large number of authentic dua's tracing back to the family of Muhammad (saws).  For many of the dua'a, original Arabic, transliteration, English translation, convenient power point slides, and audio recordings are available.
• http://www.duas.org/sajjadiya/sajjadiya.htm  As-sahifa as-sajjadiyya (the pages of prostration) is a collection of dua'a written by the 4th Imam Zainul Abedeen (as), otherwise known as Imam as-Sajjad.  Imam as-Sajjad was one of the only male survivors of the massacre of Kerbala, and was the son of Imam Hussain (as).  Imam as-Sajjad lived under a time of intense upheaval and persecution, and because of this, he could not express himself through open teaching.  Instead, he spread deep theological knowledge through the medium of a number of beautiful and powerful dua'a, on a wide range of topics.