Hadith Text & Reference

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The supplication of any of you is answered as long as he does not make supplication for something which is a wrong action or cutting off ties of kinship or become impatient and say, 'I made supplication and was not answered,' and so he stops making supplication."

Source: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 655

Conditions for Answered Supplication

The Prophet ﷺ outlines three conditions that prevent supplication from being answered: First, asking for something sinful or unlawful. Second, supplicating to sever family ties. Third, impatience leading to abandoning du'a.

These conditions demonstrate that divine response requires both proper content and proper attitude. The believer must seek only what is pleasing to Allah while maintaining proper relationships with creation.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam Ibn Hajar explains that the prohibition against sinful requests includes anything forbidden in Shari'ah, while cutting kinship refers to supplicating against family relationships or for their dissolution.

Imam Al-Nawawi notes that impatience manifests when one expects immediate response according to personal timing rather than divine wisdom. The true believer continues supplicating with certainty in Allah's perfect response timing.

Scholars emphasize that "answered" means Allah responds in one of three ways: granting the request immediately, storing greater reward for the Hereafter, or averting a greater harm from the supplicant.

Practical Application

Before making du'a, examine your request's permissibility and ensure it doesn't harm family bonds. Maintain consistent supplication without despairing of delay.

Understand that Allah's wisdom determines the response form and timing. The act of supplication itself strengthens faith and connection with the Creator, regardless of visible outcomes.