Muslim

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
yastahsiru:
He becomes weary and gives up supplication.

Hadith Commentary:
It is not correct to be hasty for the acceptance of supplication (dua).
If the supplication is made with sincerity of heart and the conditions and etiquettes of supplication are observed, then it will certainly be accepted sooner or later.
Even if it does not appear to be accepted, it will become a treasure for the Hereafter. The meaning of the hadith (yustajabu li-ahadikum ma lam ya'jal) is precisely this: remain engaged in supplication, do not abandon the process of supplication out of exhaustion, do not let despair approach you, and continue supplicating persistently.
In the life of the undersigned, there have been many occasions when despair surrounded from all sides, yet the process of supplication was continued.
Eventually, the mercy of Allah the Exalted provided support and the supplication was accepted. There is one final supplication remaining, and there is strong hope that it too will certainly be accepted; this supplication is for the completion of Sahih al-Bukhari and the service of Sahih Muslim.
The meaning of the chapter of the hadith is that a servant should not utter words of despair, nor should he lose hope in the mercy of Allah.
In the narration of Sahih Muslim and Tirmidhi, it is stated that as long as one does not supplicate for sin or for severing ties of kinship, the supplication is certainly accepted.
Therefore, it is necessary for a person never to become weary of supplication; if, hypothetically, the desired outcome is not achieved, is it not sufficient that the reward of supplication is attained?
In another hadith, it is stated that the supplication of a believer is not wasted: either it is accepted in this world, or its reward will be given in the Hereafter. And if there is a delay in the acceptance of supplication, one should not be hasty nor lose hope.
The supplications of some prophets were accepted after forty years.
Allah the Exalted has appointed a time for every matter; that time must come (kullu amrin marhun bi-awqatihā) — this is a well-known saying.
The essence is that for the acceptance of supplication, it is of utmost importance that a person’s food, drink, clothing, and living be from lawful (halal) sources, and he should avoid unlawful (haram) and doubtful earnings. Along with this, he should supplicate in a state of ritual purity (taharah), facing the qiblah, with sincerity of heart, and at the beginning and end, praise and glorify Allah.
He should also send blessings (salat) upon the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.
With these conditions, the supplication that is made will certainly be accepted sooner or later.
Do not be hopeless; remain hopeful.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
In one narration, it is stated that a servant’s supplication is certainly accepted as long as he does not supplicate for sin or severing of kinship, and does not display impatience.
It was asked:
O Messenger of Allah! How does he display impatience? He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied:
“He says:
I supplicated, I raised my hands in supplication, but I do not see any signs of acceptance; eventually, he becomes weary and abandons supplication.”
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Dhikr wa’l-Du‘a, Hadith: 6936 (2735))

(2)
There is an appointed time for acceptance, so even if there is a delay in the acceptance of supplication, one should continue to supplicate; it is possible that there is some benefit in this delay.
It is also possible that Allah, exalted is He, stores this supplication for the Hereafter, or averts from him a calamity equal to it.
In any case, supplicating is a great virtue and act of worship, so if Allah, exalted is He, due to some wisdom, does not grant the servant what he desires, then by repeatedly supplicating, the reward of supplication continues to increase, and this itself is a great blessing. Therefore, one should not allow despair to approach.
And Allah knows best.

Explanation:
1:
From this it is understood that while supplicating, a person should never think that so much time has passed while making supplication and yet it has not been accepted. Rather, he should continue to supplicate persistently, because there is some wisdom even in this delay which is known only to Allah.

1484. Commentary: That is, he becomes restless due to delay, or otherwise begins to express despair. Both of these states are blameworthy. It should be noted that there is an appointed time for acceptance. Therefore, the servant should always continue to supplicate and should not become restless. It is said that the supplication (du'a) of Musa alayhis salam and Harun alayhis salam against Pharaoh was accepted after forty years. And despair (qunut and ya's) is a characteristic of the disbelievers. Furthermore, there are several forms in which supplications are accepted:

➊ The exact request is granted at the appropriate time.
➋ It is granted after a delay, in which there is some hidden wisdom.
➌ Sometimes, the exact request is not granted, but in exchange, some other harm is averted or some benefit is given.
➍ Or the supplication is stored for the Hereafter, when the person will be in utmost need. (Awn al-Ma'bud)

Sometimes it also happens that a disobedient and sinful person supplicates, and his request is granted very quickly, whereas a righteous person continues to ask, and it is not given to him. The true wisdom behind this is known only to Allah, but according to some elders, since raising the hands in supplication and calling out, "O Allah! O Allah!" is in itself an act of worship and a beloved deed, and Allah azza wa jall likes that this servant remains at His threshold, therefore his request is not granted to him. Rather, his ranks are elevated and he is given other blessings. Whereas the other sinful person is detested by Allah, and Allah does not like his presence in His court. So as soon as he presents a request, if it is Allah's will, it is immediately granted to him. As a result, after obtaining his request, he again becomes heedless of Allah. In this way, he is deprived of nearness to Allah and reward. And Allah knows best what is correct. And we ask Allah for well-being.

Benefits and Issues:
➊
If there is a delay in the acceptance of supplication (dua), one should continue supplicating.
It is possible that there is goodness for the servant in this delay.

➋
Supplicating (dua) is a great virtue and act of worship; therefore, if Allah Ta'ala, due to some wisdom, does not grant the servant what he desires, then by repeatedly supplicating, the reward for the supplication continues to increase, and this itself is a blessing.

Hadith Authentication:
[وأخرجه البخاري 6340، ومسلم 2735، من حديث مالك به]

Jurisprudential Understanding
① In the explanation of this hadith, Hafiz Ibn Abd al-Barr states:
There is evidence in this hadith that the verse «اُدعُوْني استجب لكم» “Call upon Me; I will respond to you” is not general in its application; it has been specified. [التمهيد 296/10]
Hafiz Ibn Abd al-Barr has also presented as evidence the verse from Surah al-An’am, [41] «فَيَكْشِفُ مَا تَدْعُوْنَ إِلَيْهِ إِنْ شَاءَ» “So whatever you call upon (to remove affliction), He (Allah) removes affliction if He wills,” as proof.

② There are many pillars and etiquettes of supplication (du’a), such as:
➊ Supplication should be made to Allah alone.
➋ Supplication should not be made to other than Allah.
➌ One should have certainty in the acceptance of the supplication in the heart.
➍ At the time of supplication, the heart and mind should not be heedless; rather, a person should be fully attentive to his Lord.
➎ There should be complete adherence to the Book and Sunnah, and absolute avoidance of every kind of innovation (bid‘ah), etc.

③ Also see: [ح 336]

④ The famous Tabi‘i Imam Zayd ibn Aslam rahimahullah used to say: Every person who supplicates has three states:
➊ Either his supplication is accepted immediately.
➋ Or it is delayed.
➌ Or it becomes an expiation for his (sins). [الموطأ رواية يحييٰ 1/217 ح505 وسنده صحيح]

⑤ The famous Tabi‘i Imam Sa‘id ibn al-Musayyib rahimahullah used to say that a (deceased) person is raised to the heights of the heavens after his death due to the supplication of his children, meaning his ranks are greatly elevated. [المؤطآ رواية يحيٰ 217/1 ح 507 و سنده صحيح]

⑥ One should never despair of the mercy of Allah.

⑦ One should not complain that “I have supplicated much, but it has not been accepted.”