Why Doesn’t Allah Always Answer Our Dua?
The below is paraphrased from Dr. Sultan al-Umayri’s book, Junnat as-Salikeen fi Sharh al-Wasiyyat as-Sughra.
Dua stands as one of the most profound acts of worship, encapsulating several significant meanings:
It underscores our acknowledgment of our helplessness and reliance on Allah.
It highlights Allah’s sovereignty, magnificence, and power.
It signifies the completeness of Tawheed by directing our dua solely to Him.
It showcases our affection for Allah, mirroring how we instinctively turn to those we love in times of need.
It demonstrates our complete dependence on Allah for all our needs and desires.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“The supplication of the servant is granted in case he does not supplicate for sin or for severing the ties of blood, or he does not become impatient. It was said: Allah’s Messenger, what does:” If he does not grow impatient” imply? He said: That he should say like this: I supplicated and I supplicated but I did not find it being responded and then he becomes frustrated and abandons supplication.” [Saheeh Muslim]
It’s natural for someone to feel sadness or to desire swift answers to their dua. In fact, one can even earnestly make dua for a speedy response, just as the Prophet (peace be upon him) did when supplicating for rain, saying:
“O Allah! give us rain which will replenish us, abundant, fertilising and profitable, not injurious, granting it now without delay. He (the narrator) said: Thereupon the sky became overcast.” [Sunan Abi Dawud]
The issue arises when a person develops a negative attitude towards Allah and falls into despair if their dua isn’t answered according to their timetable. It’s crucial to remember that Allah possesses knowledge of the future and counterfactual scenarios, including our potential reactions. With this omniscience, Allah may delay answering a dua today if He knows that we would react negatively in the scenario where our patience would have been demanded of us.
There is profound wisdom in Allah’s decision to postpone or even refrain from answering all of our dua.
1) Trials and tests: Just as Allah tests us with various trials across different aspects of our lives, unanswered dua can also serve as tests of patience, resilience, and faith. These challenges offer opportunities for growth and spiritual development.
2) It is ultimately for our own benefit: While we may earnestly make dua for what we perceive as good for ourselves, Allah’s omniscience surpasses our understanding. He may withhold what we ask for, knowing it’s not in our best interest. Alternatively, He might delay granting our request until later, when it aligns with our spiritual well-being and when we are better prepared to receive it. Trusting in Allah’s wisdom allows us to accept His decisions with patience and gratitude.
3) To elevate our rank in Paradise: Engaging in dua is a significant act of worship, and feelings of need or unfulfilled desires often fuel our persistence in making dua. Allah may withhold immediate answers to our dua because He knows that continuous dua is necessary for us to attain a higher rank in Paradise. By prompting us to persist in dua, Allah ensures that we engage in this virtuous act, which may be pivotal for our spiritual growth and elevation in the hereafter.
4) It elicits spiritual self-introspection: When our dua remains unanswered, it should prompt us to reflect on our spiritual condition and question whether it merits having our supplications granted by Allah. This reflective process is highly esteemed by Allah and can catalyze self-improvement and spiritual growth. It acts as a wake-up call, urging us to strive for betterment in our relationship with Allah and in our deeds.
5) Our dua was not done properly: It’s possible that we did not approach Allah in our dua with the requisite level of humility and sincerity, both inwardly and outwardly.
6) There could be something about the person making the dua: It’s conceivable that the person may be burdened by a specific sin that disqualifies him from having their dua answered. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated:
“O people, Allah is Good and He therefore, accepts only that which is good. And Allah commanded the believers as He commanded the Messengers by saying: “O Messengers, eat of the good things, and do good deeds; verily I am aware of what you do” (xxiii. 51). And He said: “O those who believe, eat of the good things that We gave you” (ii. 172). He then made a mention of a person who travels widely, his hair disheveled and covered with dust. He lifts his hand towards the sky (and thus makes the supplication): “O Lord, O Lord,” whereas his diet is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, and his clothes are unlawful and his nourishment is unlawful. How can then his supplication be accepted?” [Saheeh Muslim]
7) Out of Allah’s love for the dua: Allah cherishes hearing our sincere pleas and supplications. He might delay granting our requests simply because He delights in listening to our heartfelt supplications. It’s truly an honor to engage in an activity our Creator values deeply.
This is so beautiful. Mashallah.