❀ Question:
Does Allah respond when we ask Him for something? How long should one continue to pray? How should one pray? Why are my prayers not being answered despite years of good deeds and supplication?✔ Divine Response to Du‘a:
The mercy of Allah is always open to everyone. Whenever a person supplicates, du‘a is effective. Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) likened du‘a to a weapon, and its effectiveness depends on the sincerity and method of the one using it.✿ Conditions for the Acceptance of Du‘a:
➊ Sincerity and Certainty:Turn to Allah with full attention and certainty of response, as Allah does not accept the du‘a of a heedless heart.
“Who responds to the distressed one when he calls upon Him?” (An-Naml: 62)
➋ Repentance and Return to Allah:
Sins are a barrier to acceptance. One should repent sincerely before making du‘a.
➌ Humility and Submission:
Pray with a heart full of humility and reverence.
➍ Persistence (Ilhah):
Repeat du‘a often and do not abandon it out of impatience.
➎ Supplicate in Times of Ease:
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Remember Allah in times of ease, and He will remember you in times of hardship.”
➏ Invocation Using Allah’s Names (Asma al-Husna):
Begin and end du‘a by invoking Allah’s beautiful names and attributes.
➐ Clarity in Du‘a:
Use clear, comprehensive words. Supplications established from the Prophet ﷺ are most effective.
✿ Barriers to the Acceptance of Du‘a:
➊ Improper Manner:Praying with laziness or improper etiquette weakens the du‘a.
➋ Heedlessness:
If the heart is distracted during du‘a, it may not be accepted.
➌ Consuming Haram:
Income or sustenance from forbidden sources is a major obstacle to the acceptance of du‘a.
➍ Hastiness:
Expecting immediate results and abandoning du‘a due to delay is discouraged.
➎ Conditioning the Du‘a:
Avoid phrases like: “O Allah, if You wish, grant me…” — instead, ask with firm resolve.
✔ Forms of Du‘a Acceptance:
➊ Granting the Requested:Sometimes Allah gives exactly what is asked.
➋ Giving Something Better:
At times, something better than what was requested is given.
➌ Averting a Calamity:
A misfortune may be removed due to the blessing of du‘a.
➍ Reserved for the Hereafter:
The du‘a may be stored as a reward in the afterlife.
✿ Prophetic Assurance:
The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah feels shy to return His servant empty-handed after supplication.(Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
Even if a du‘a is not answered immediately, one must trust that Allah’s decision is best.
In fact, on the Day of Judgment, a person will wish that none of his du‘as had been answered in this world, so he could reap the full reward in the Hereafter.
(Mustadrak)
