How Can I Ensure That My Supplication Is Accepted?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
How can I get my du’a accepted fully by Allah? Five months ago, my problem began in a very bad way. I had to suffer a lot and got a lot of pain, I cry endlessly until now, and it is at its worst now.
In the time being, I have learned so much about Islam and I am taking the means that make one’s dua get accepted by the grace of Allah. I have been patient and put my trust in Allah, and I believe anything is possible.
My du’a has not been accepted yet, though; rather my pain has increased. Please advise.
Answer
I empathize with your pain and am sorry that you are going through this; I pray for your relief, well-being, and healing. Please know that you are being purified and, by Allah’s grace, will spend an eternity painless and pleased.
Dua is Answered
One can take many means for supplication to be accepted, including timing, etiquette, and being in a state of submission and patience. All supplications are answered by Allah Most High, just in different ways:
Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Any Muslim who makes a supplication containing nothing which is sinful or which involves breaking ties of relationship will be given for it by God one of three things: He will give him a speedy answer, or store it up for him in the next world, or turn away from him an equivalent amount of evil.’ Those who heard it said they would then make many supplications, and he replied, ‘God is more ready to answer than they were to ask.’” [Ahmad]
Etiquette
The etiquette of a believer with their Lord is patience. The servant asks his Lord, and he must patiently wait even if it is difficult and trust that Allah’s timing is the best. Never claim that your du’a was not answered.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) told us, “The supplication of every one of you is granted if he does not grow impatient and say: ‘I supplicated, but it was not granted.’” [Muslim]
I urge you to keep asking, to place your trust in Him, and have full certitude that there is unknown wisdom behind this and that Allah loves you.
Introspection
The best way to proceed and hope that one’s du’a will be answered is to analyze one’s life from every aspect. One should completely eliminate the haram and makruh (disliked things) from one’s life.
One should only eat from what is halal, pure, and healthy; one should not take or give one cent of usury; one should speak the truth and refrain from uttering the haram; one should guard one’s eyes against filth.
For one to succeed, one must study these and learn how to stay away from them. Last but not least, make sure that you are praying on time, reading Quran daily, and giving regular charity, even if a little.
Please see these links as well:
Adab of Dua Series: Introduction and Etiquette
A Comprehensive Guide to Supplication (Dua)
Be Prepared: Understanding the Wisdom of Calamities
Am I to Blame for My Chronic Illness?
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
