Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "No believer turns his face to Allah and asks Him for something but that He gives it to him, either by giving it to him sooner in this world or storing it up for him in the Next World, as long as he does not try to make it come quickly." They asked, "Messenger of Allah, what does 'making it come quickly' mean?" He said, "He says, 'I asked and asked and do not think that I will be answered.'"
The Excellence of Supplication
This noble hadith from Al-Adab Al-Mufrad (711) establishes the profound principle that Allah never rejects the supplication of a believer. When a servant turns his face with sincerity toward his Lord, the response manifests in one of three forms: immediate granting in this world, deferred reward in the Hereafter, or protection from equivalent harm.
The Condition of Patience
The prohibition against "making it come quickly" refers to the spiritual disease of haste and despair. The believer must maintain certainty in divine wisdom and timing. As Imam Al-Ghazali explains, impatience stems from weak faith in Allah's perfect arrangement.
The Prophet's clarification reveals this manifests as repeatedly complaining "I asked but wasn't answered" - a statement that contains hidden accusation against divine wisdom. True believers remain patient like Prophet Ya'qub who said "Perhaps Allah will bring them all to me" despite decades of separation.
Scholarly Commentary
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that the phrase "turns his face" indicates complete devotion and presence of heart during supplication. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that the guarantee of response requires fulfilling conditions: lawful sustenance, sincere intention, and avoiding sinful requests.
The wisdom behind delayed responses includes: testing the servant's sincerity, allowing time for spiritual growth, preparing the heart to receive blessings properly, and sometimes granting superior rewards in the afterlife that outweigh worldly desires.
Practical Application
Combine supplication with righteous action. As Imam Al-Nawawi advises, the believer should repeatedly ask while maintaining good opinion of Allah. The response may come in unexpected forms - sometimes through removal of impending calamity rather than granting the exact request.
Remember that Allah's knowledge encompasses what benefits us eternally, while our desires often focus on temporary worldly matters. The stored reward in the Hereafter far exceeds what we seek in this fleeting world.