Question: I feel Allah Most High isn’t pleased with me because I am not getting what I hoped for from my du’a and my prayers. What should I do?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate,
Intentions In Acts Of Worship
Acts of worship, such as supplicating (du’a) and praying, have a specific effect on the heart. However, the effect of the heart is not what one should seek by doing the act. One should only seek the pleasure of Allah Most High in all they do.
If one sincerely seeks Allah’s pleasure, generally, but not always, Allah Most High will cause an effect in their heart. Even then, one’s not experiencing such an effect is not a sign of Allah’s displeasure. It may be a test of sincerity; will you continue to worship Allah or beseech Him – even if you do not get anything out of it?
The Acceptance Of Supplication
Allah Most High says, “Your Lord says, ‘Call on Me, and I will answer you; those who are too proud to serve Me will enter Hell humiliated.” [Qur’an; 40:60]
Allah has promised to answer supplications. However, there are two factors that must be understood. The first is that there are etiquettes in supplicating to Allah. The second is that there are conditions for supplications to be accepted.
(1) Etiquettes Of Supplication
Imam Nawawi quotes from Imam Ghazali (Allah have mercy on them both) ten etiquettes for supplication. They are as follows:
(1) To seeking out auspicious times, such as Jumu’a, the final portion of the night, the Day of ‘Arafa, etc…
(2) To seek out noble states, such as when prostrating, when the call to prayer is called, when rain falls, etc…
(3) To face the Qibla, raise the hands, and to wipe the face with the hands after the supplication
(4) To keep one’s voice at a moderate volume
(5) To not force eloquence. It is advised that one supplicate from their heart, in their own language, and not to only rely on memorized supplications
(6) To be humble, in awe, and in sincere devotion
(7) To be resolute in one’s beseeching and to be certain of Allah’s answering.
(8) To be persistent in supplicating and not to deem the response to be too slow.
(9) To commence the supplication by praising Allah and sending prayers on the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace); likewise one should finish the supplication in the same way.
(10) To repent and to right one’s previous transgressions. The is the most important.
[Nawawi, Kitab al-Adhkar]
(2) Conditions Of Acceptance Of Supplications
Some of the conditions for one’s supplications to be accepted are as follows:
(1) Eating lawful food/drink
(2) Sincerity
(3) The thing being asked must not entail sin
[Ibid.]
How Supplications Are Accepted
One should not doubt whether their supplications are accepted or not. One should take the means explained above to make their supplication as best as they can and to be certain, thereafter, of acceptance.
Acceptance, however, does not necessarily mean that one gets exactly what they asked for immediately.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “There is no Muslim on the Earth who makes a supplication to Allah except that Allah gives them exactly that or averts from them some evil the like of it as long as they do not ask for something sinful or the severing of family ties.” A person from the people then said, “In that case, we shall make many supplications.” He (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Allah has much more to give.” [Tirmidhi]
In another narration, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) added, “…or Allah will reserve the equivalent reward for them in the Hereafter.” [Hakim]
Likewise, Allah Most High may delay the granting of your supplication to a later time.
Do Not Be Hasty
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Each of your supplications is accepted as long as they are not hasty. Thus they say, ‘I have supplicated and no answer has come.’” [Bukhari]
Good Opinions Of Allah Most High
Allah Most High says, “If My slave asks you about Me then I am near…” [Qur’an; 2:86]
The fact that you find yourself concerned with your relationship with Allah and that you are asking about Him means that He is near to you. These are signs of Allah’s love and Divine concern for you.
Have a good opinion of Allah Most High. He intends good for you.
Allah Most High says, “He wishes to make His laws clear to you and guide you to the righteous ways of those who went before you. He wishes to turn towards you in mercy- He is all-knowing, all wise-He wishes to turn towards you, but those who follow their lusts want you to go far astray. [Qur’an; 4:26-7]
I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani