Does Allah delay the response to du’aa’ for the one whom He loves?
هل من أحبه الله أخر عنه إجابة دعائه ؟
[ English - إنجليزي ]
Cheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
الشيخ محمد صالح المنجد
Translation: Islam Question
and Answer website
Format: Islamhouse
website
ترجمة: موقع الإسلام سؤال وجواب
2014
- 1435
Does Allaah delay the response to du’aa’ for the one whom He loves?
I know there is a hadith qudsi that says in it that
Allah (swt) told Gabrael (PBUH) that when a slave of His makes dua, and He
likes this slave, he doesn't give him his request so that He can hear his repetition
of the dua over and over. But if He doesnt like this slave, He tells Gabrael to
give him what he wants so He dont hear his voice. My question is.. is that in
every case? or are there exceptions?
This is the situation, i was a sinner and i repented and ive gone a long way. al-hamdolillah. i dont do da'wah because im busy with studying and helping my mother with my brothers and sisters, but i do send emails very often with important facts about Islam, reminders, teachings about 'Aqeedah and Fiqh, and stories that can serve as a reminder and lesson to all of us. I (al-hamdolilah) am always saying athkaar, all day long and especially "laa ilaha illa allah wahddaho la shareeka lah, lahom al-mol wa laho al-hamd wa howa 'ala kulli shay'ean qadeer" I say that all day,, and i also always make dua for me and for others. And recently ive noticed that most of the dua's i make happen soon after i pray them. al-hamdolillah, i say, but still i'm afraid that this is a sign that im not one of those that Allah likes. (I ask allah that this is not the case) And that Allah gives me what i prayed for so He (swt) doesnt hear my voice. Maybe it is because of my past? I dont know but wallahi this subject is really worrying me... I try so much to do everything that is right and to make up for my past...
This is the situation, i was a sinner and i repented and ive gone a long way. al-hamdolillah. i dont do da'wah because im busy with studying and helping my mother with my brothers and sisters, but i do send emails very often with important facts about Islam, reminders, teachings about 'Aqeedah and Fiqh, and stories that can serve as a reminder and lesson to all of us. I (al-hamdolilah) am always saying athkaar, all day long and especially "laa ilaha illa allah wahddaho la shareeka lah, lahom al-mol wa laho al-hamd wa howa 'ala kulli shay'ean qadeer" I say that all day,, and i also always make dua for me and for others. And recently ive noticed that most of the dua's i make happen soon after i pray them. al-hamdolillah, i say, but still i'm afraid that this is a sign that im not one of those that Allah likes. (I ask allah that this is not the case) And that Allah gives me what i prayed for so He (swt) doesnt hear my voice. Maybe it is because of my past? I dont know but wallahi this subject is really worrying me... I try so much to do everything that is right and to make up for my past...
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
Islam encourages us to make a lot of du’aa’, and not to be hasty in
seeking a response. That is because du’aa’ is a great act of worship
which is beloved to Allaah. Indeed there are texts which warn us against
neglecting du’aa’, because neglecting it is a sign of arrogance.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And your Lord said: ‘Invoke Me [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic
Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation).
Verily, those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe
in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!’”
[Ghaafir 40:60]
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “(The du’aa’) of any one of you will
be answered so long as he is not hasty in seeking a response and does not say,
‘I prayed but I have not had a response.’”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5981; Muslim, 2735
It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with
him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“There is no Muslim who calls upon Allaah with words in which there is no sin
or severing of family ties but Allaah will give him one of three things: either
He will answer his prayer soon, or He will store it up for him in the
Hereafter, or He will remove something bad from him that is equivalent to what
he is asking for.” They said, “Then we should make a great amount of du’aa’.”
He said, “Allaah is greater.”
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3573; classed as saheeh by al-Tirmidhi and
others.
Secondly:
The hadeeth mentioned by the questioner is a very weak hadeeth (da’eef
jiddan). It was narrated from Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased
with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: “If a person prays to Allaah and Allaah loves him, He says ‘O
Jibreel, meet the need of this slave of Mine, but delay it, for I love to hear
his voice.’ If a person prays to Allaah and Allaah hates him, He says, ‘O
Jibreel, meet the need of this slave of Mine and give it to him immediately,
for I hate to hear his voice.”
Narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Awsat, 8/216. Its isnaad
includes Ishaaq ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Abi Farwah, who is matrook as stated
in Majma’ al-Zawaa’id, 10/151
If it is understood that the hadeeth is very weak, it is not fit to be
quoted as evidence.
Thirdly:
Undoubtedly if a person feels that Allaah has responded to him, this is
a great blessing which deserves that he should give thanks and praise, and
continue doing righteous deeds and fearing Allaah, for these are among the
greatest means of Allaah answering du’aa’. It is a blessing, if it is true, and
a person may feel envious of the one who is blessed in this manner. Every
Muslim wishes that his du’aa’ will be answered. This – in sha Allaah – is an
indication that a person is righteous, truthful and sincere. So he must
continue to fear Allaah, do righteous deeds and avoid haraam things; this will
make the blessing continue. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but
Allaah), I will give you more (of My Blessings)”
[Ibraaheem 14:7]
Fourthly:
What the questioner mentions about spreading goodness and da’wah is
something that will be good for her in this world and in the Hereafter in sha
Allah. This is one of the kinds of kindness that bring good in this world and
in the Hereafter. We ask Allaah to support her, guide her and help her in that,
and to give her the best reward.
And Allaah knows best