excerpt from Shaykh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbani’s book “Ahkām wa Masā’il – In the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah”:
Is it permissible to say while making supplication to Allah: “O Allah! If You will, forgive me”? Please provide correct Sharʿi guidance.
While supplicating to Allah, one must ask with firm resolve and determination, because no one can compel Allah to do anything.
The authentic ḥadīth of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ states:
“None of you should say:
‘O Allah! Forgive me if You will.’
‘O Allah! Have mercy on me if You will.’
Rather, he should ask with certainty and resolve,
for no one can compel Allah.”
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Tawḥīd, Chapter on Will and Desire: 7477
This authentic narration clearly proves that saying “if You will (in shi’ta)” in duʿāʾ is not correct.
One should not say: “O Allah, if You will, forgive me.”
Instead, duʿāʾ should be made with full certainty and firm determination.
❖ Question:
Is it permissible to say while making supplication to Allah: “O Allah! If You will, forgive me”? Please provide correct Sharʿi guidance.
❖ Answer:
While supplicating to Allah, one must ask with firm resolve and determination, because no one can compel Allah to do anything.
The authentic ḥadīth of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ states:
“None of you should say:
‘O Allah! Forgive me if You will.’
‘O Allah! Have mercy on me if You will.’
Rather, he should ask with certainty and resolve,
for no one can compel Allah.”
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Tawḥīd, Chapter on Will and Desire: 7477❖ Conclusion:
This authentic narration clearly proves that saying “if You will (in shi’ta)” in duʿāʾ is not correct.
One should not say: “O Allah, if You will, forgive me.” Instead, duʿāʾ should be made with full certainty and firm determination.