Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Detailed Injunctions about Witr - Sunan Abi Dawud 1488

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Your Lord is munificent and generous, and is ashamed to turn away empty the hands of His servant when he raises them to Him.

Commentary on the Divine Attribute of Generosity

This noble hadith reveals one of Allah's beautiful names and attributes - Al-Karīm (The Generous) and Al-Jawād (The Munificent). The scholars explain that Allah's generosity is absolute and perfect, not diminished by what He gives to His creation.

Ibn al-Qayyim states that this hadith demonstrates Allah's perfect mercy and generosity, where He attributes to Himself the characteristic of "hayā'" (shame/modesty) in a manner befitting His majesty - not like human shame, but as an expression of His perfect generosity that cannot accept leaving His servant's hands empty when raised in supplication.

The Etiquette and Wisdom of Raising Hands in Supplication

Al-Nawawi explains that raising hands in du'a is a established sunnah, particularly in general supplications. This physical act demonstrates the servant's utter need, humility, and expectation of receiving from Allah.

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali comments that the raising of hands symbolizes the emptiness and need of the servant, while Allah's response represents His infinite bounty and generosity. The connection between the two demonstrates the divine-human relationship in worship.

Practical Implications for the Believer

This hadith should increase the believer's confidence in making du'a. Al-Ghazali notes that one should supplicate with certainty that Allah will respond, though the response may come in forms wiser than what we request.

The scholars emphasize that while Allah promises response, the timing and form remain in His wisdom. Sometimes He grants what we ask, sometimes He substitutes something better, and sometimes He averts a harm that would have resulted from our request being granted exactly as made.