Supplication Should Be Made with Full Determination

Authored by: Fadhilat al-Shaykh Hafiz Abdul Sattar Hammad (may Allah preserve him)

✦ Be Firm and Resolute in Your Duʿāʾ ✦​

إِذَا دَعَا أَحَدُكُمْ، فَلْيَعْزِمْ فِي الدُّعَاءِ
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 6811]

"When one of you supplicates, let him be resolute and firm in his duʿāʾ."

✦ Benefits ✦​

❖ True humility and neediness demand that one ask Allah with conviction and certainty, not with doubt or hesitation.
❖ One should avoid saying: "O Allah! If You will, then grant me," but rather should affirm firmly:
"O my Lord! Fulfill this need of mine!"

✦ Prophetic Instruction ✦​

The Prophet ﷺ said:
"When one of you prays, do not say: 'O Allah! Forgive me if You will, have mercy on me if You will, provide for me if You will.' Rather, ask with full determination. Verily, He does what He wills, and no one can force Him."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Tawḥīd: 7477]

✦ Why Conditional Duʿāʾ is Discouraged ✦​

➊ Saying "if You will" may imply that Allah could be compelled without His will—which is impossible.
➋ It suggests a lack of eagerness or seriousness about what is being requested.

✦ Ask with Certainty of Acceptance ✦​

The Prophet ﷺ said:
"When you make duʿāʾ to Allah, do so with full confidence that it will be accepted."
[Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, Kitāb al-Daʿawāt: 3479]

❖ A duʿāʾ made with uncertainty is lifeless and devoid of spiritual strength.