Reasons for Non-Acceptance of Supplication
Supplication, or dua, is a form of worship established in Islam, serving as a vital connection between the servant and their Lord. Whenever a Muslim is in need, they turn to Allah (God) in prayer, and Allah assures His servants that He answers their calls, as stated in the Holy Quran: “Is He not best who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him?” However, there are several factors that may hinder the acceptance of a supplication, which we will outline below:
Consumption of Illegitimate Earnings
A vital aspect of sincere supplication is having a heart filled with faith and commitment to ethical principles. Engaging in activities such as bribery, usury, theft, or fraud signifies a hardened heart and a soul inclined towards wrongdoing. Consequently, an individual who consumes unlawful earnings approaches God with a heart devoid of obedience and filled with sin, which obstructs the acceptance of their prayers.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “O people, indeed Allah is Good and accepts only that which is good. And Allah has commanded the believers to do as He commanded the messengers, saying: ‘O messengers, eat from the good things and work righteousness, and indeed, I am Knowing of what you do’ (Al-Mu’minun: 51). He also said, ‘O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you’ (Al-Baqarah: 172). He referred to a man who travels a long distance, disheveled and dusty, raising his hands to the sky, saying: ‘O Lord, O Lord,’ while his food is from unlawful sources, his drink is from unlawful sources, his clothing is from unlawful sources, and he is nourished by what is unlawful. So how can his supplication be answered?”
Therefore, anyone wishing for Allah’s acceptance of their supplication must ensure that their earnings are lawful, encompassing food, drink, and clothing, before calling upon Allah.
Neglecting the Commanding of Good and Prohibiting Evil
When one prays, they are typically seeking goodness or relief from hardship. If a Muslim fails to promote good or prevent evil in their everyday life, they risk divine retribution proportionate to their actions. Just as they neglect to advocate for good or discourage wrongdoing, Allah may withhold from them the goodness they seek and not protect them from evil; thus, the recompense is akin to the deed.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you must enjoin good and forbid evil, or else Allah is surely going to send upon you punishment from Him, and then you will invoke Him, yet He will not respond to you.” Those who desire goodness for themselves must first provide it to others, and those who seek to remove evil from their own lives must also work to eliminate it from the lives of others.
Sins and Disobedience
Effective supplication necessitates a heart that is humble and present during prayer. This condition cannot be met by someone whose heart is emboldened by disobedience and sin. Sin hardens the heart, and a hardened heart is unlikely to have its supplications accepted. If one does not rectify their heart, Allah will not alter their circumstances or answer their prayers. As stated in the Quran: “Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves. And if Allah intends for a people affliction, there is no turning it back, and they will not find for themselves besides Him a protector.”
Impatience in Seeking an Answer and Abandonment of Prayer
One potential pitfall for those who approach Allah with their supplications is the impatience in expecting an immediate response. Some may pray in the morning and expect their requests to be fulfilled by evening, as though they are commanding Allah rather than seeking His mercy. True supplication requires expressing one’s heartfelt fears and reliance on Allah.
The supplicant should demonstrate their neediness and desperation, persistently calling out to the Lord. Those who fail to embody this may become disheartened, abandoning their supplications and consequently missing out on answers. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The supplication of any of you will be answered as long as he does not hasten, saying: ‘I supplicated, but my supplication was not answered.’”
Supplication for Sin or to Sever Ties of Kinship
Allah ordained supplication to fulfill the needs of people and alleviate their hardships. However, if an individual prays for sinful outcomes or seeks the severance of family ties, they would thus misuse the act of supplication in disobedience to Allah and harm others, which will result in Allah withholding answers to such prayers. The Prophet (peace be upon him) proclaimed: “The servant will continue to be answered, as long as he does not supplicate for sin or to sever family ties.”
The Goodness and Wisdom of Allah Regarding Non-Acceptance of Prayer
Allah’s generosity is such that He would not neglect the supplications of a faithful servant. Therefore, a Muslim’s prayers may be answered in ways different from their expectations. The Prophet (peace be upon him) conveyed, “No Muslim invokes a supplication that does not involve sin or severing ties of kinship, without Allah granting him one of three things: He may hasten the answer to his prayer, or He may reserve it for him in the Hereafter, or He may avert from him a calamity equivalent to it.”
A Muslim can be assured that their supplications will be answered in one of the following forms:
- Allah may accept their prayer in this world and grant their request.
- Allah may store the reward for their supplication for the Hereafter.
- Allah may avert an anticipated misfortune or calamity due to that supplication, such as an illness or disaster.