Supplication without intention or deeds

Simak bin al-Fadl said that Wahb bin Munabbih said: "The example of one who supplicates without doing deeds is that of a person who shoots an arrow without a bowstring."

Malik bin al-Harith said: Rabi' used to come to Alqamah on Fridays. Malik said: He came to him once when he was not present there. Then a man came and said: "Are you not astonished at how much people supplicate, and how little their supplications are answered?" At this Rabi' said: "Do you people know the reason for this? Listen! Allah Almighty accepts only the supplication that is made with sincerity."

Abd al-Rahman bin Yazid said: When I came, Alqamah told me of the statement of Rabi', and I said to him: "Have you not heard the statement of Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him)?" He asked: "What is his statement?" Abd al-Rahman bin Yazid said: Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "By the One besides whom there is no god, Allah Almighty does not hear the call of one who seeks to be heard by people, nor of a show-off, nor of one at play, nor of any caller, except the supplication of one who calls upon Him with a firm heart."

Al-A'mash said that Malik bin al-Harith, relating a hadith qudsi, said: Allah Almighty says: "Whoever is made heedless of asking Me by My remembrance, I give him more than all those who ask."

Bakr bin Abdullah al-Muzani said: Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Along with righteousness, as much supplication suffices as the amount of salt that suffices for food."

Amr bin Murrah narrates a marfu' hadith in which he (peace and blessings be upon him) related a hadith qudsi: "Whoever is kept occupied from asking Me by My remembrance, I give him more than all those who ask," meaning that Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, gives more.