What Are the Reasons for My Dua Not Being Accepted?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
I am a divorcee from India with a three-year-old daughter. My ex-husband doesn’t pay for her at all, he doesn’t even care whether she’s alive or dead. I am going through big financial difficulties, and I am badly in need of a job or a husband to support me. I haven’t been able to get work for a few years now nor have I found a good man to marry.
I have been praying Salat al-Haja continuously for two years but still nothing. Is there something wrong with me? What are the reasons for one’s dua to go unanswered?
Answer
I empathize with your situation. Verily the trials of this world are sky-high, and the very nature of this world is deterioration and disappointment.
The Prophet, may Allah bless him and give him peace told us, “Lo! Indeed this world is cursed and what is in it is cursed, except for remembrance of Allah, what is conducive to that, the teacher and the student.” [Tirmidhi]
Treat this world as a test, know that there is good in everything that you face, even if you don’t see it now. A believer learns, benefits, and reaps blessings during trials that he doesn’t otherwise. There are two simple steps that a Muslim should take when facing a difficulty:
a) He must continue to make dua to Allah for ease, help, guidance, and well-being. He must also eat halal only, have a lawful income, eliminate the haram from his life, and ask for forgiveness. Don’t be hasty as the Prophet reminded us, “One of you may be answered so long as he is not hasty and says, ‘I made dua, but I got no response.’” [Bukhari and Muslim] Allah is the Master of everything and decides how and when to answer your dua, accept it, it will be better for you. Be patient and trust in Him.
b) The second thing a Muslim should do when facing difficulty is to take the every means possible to improve his situation. If one is sitting at home and complains that one can’t find a job, it is not right. One must make a resume, go for job interviews, ask around, and check in the newspaper ads and online ads. There are hundreds of videos online showing you how to make money from home. You can use eBay and Amazon or have a garage sale. Do your best and know that Allah rewarding you.
You can also be proactive about finding a spouse. You can seek out a matchmaker, you can talk to friends and family that might have some connections. Keep praying your Prayer of Need, because verily doesn’t get tired and fed up from your worship.
Keep in mind that Allah answers duas in three ways. Find these by reading the related links below. Put Allah first, and he will give you the best thing for you.
Certainty in Dua
The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and give him peace, said, “Call upon Allah with certainty that he will answer you. Know that Allah will not answer the supplication of a heart that is negligent and distracted.” [Tirmidhi]
The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and give him peace, said, “A person’s duas will continue to be answered so long as he does not pray for something sinful or for the breaking of family ties.” [Muslim]
Related:
Problems in My Life
Why my Supplications Regarding Leaving Sins are Unanswered?
May Allah give you and your daughter the best in this world in 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.
