حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ، قَالَ‏:‏ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ قَالَ‏:‏ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْمُتَوَكِّلِ النَّاجِيَّ قَالَ‏:‏ قَالَ أَبُو سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيُّ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَدْعُو، لَيْسَ بِإِثْمٍ وَلاَ بِقَطِيعَةِ رَحِمٍ، إِلاَّ أَعْطَاهُ إِحْدَى ثَلاَثٍ‏:‏ إِمَّا أَنْ يُعَجِّلَ لَهُ دَعْوَتَهُ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ يَدَّخِرَهَا لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ يَدْفَعَ عَنْهُ مِنَ السُّوءِ مِثْلَهَا، قَالَ‏:‏ إِذًا نُكْثِرُ، قَالَ‏:‏ اللَّهُ أَكْثَرُ‏.‏
Translation
Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Prophet, may Allah blesshim and grant him peace, said, "No Muslim makes supplication - unlesshe is someone who has cut off his relatives - but that he is givenone of three things

either his supplication is answered quickly, or itis stored up for him in the Next World, or an evil equal to it is avertedfrom him." It was said, "Then many supplications will be made." He replied,"Allah has more still to give."

Comment

Hadith Commentary: The Three Responses to Supplication

From the book "Supplication" in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Hadith reference: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 710

The Three Divine Responses

The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that every sincere supplication receives one of three responses from Allah: immediate acceptance, storage of reward in the Hereafter, or protection from equivalent harm. This demonstrates Allah's perfect wisdom in responding to His servants' needs.

Scholarly Explanation

Classical scholars explain that immediate acceptance occurs when the supplication aligns with divine wisdom. When stored for the Hereafter, it becomes greater reward in Paradise. The third response shows Allah's mercy in protecting us from unseen harms we might have incurred had our request been granted.

Divine Abundance

When the Companions expressed concern about frequent supplication, the Prophet reassured them that Allah's bounty is limitless. This teaches us that we should never hesitate to ask Allah repeatedly, for His treasures never diminish and His generosity knows no bounds.