that of one who is wronged till help comes, that of a pilgrim till he comes home, that of one engaged in jihad till he stops, that of a sick person till he recovers, and that of someone for an absent brother. Then he added, “The one of those which gets the quickest answer is that for an absent brother.” Baihaqi transmitted it in [Kitab] ad-Da'awat al-kabir.
Exposition of the Hadith on Six Supplications That Are Never Rejected
From the blessed compilation "Mishkat al-Masabih" (Hadith 2260), transmitted by Imam al-Baihaqi in his "Kitab ad-Da'awat al-kabir", we are granted profound insight into those supplications that are particularly beloved to Allah Most High and are answered without delay.
The Six Categories of Accepted Supplications
The Supplication of the Wronged: When an oppressed soul raises hands in sincere petition, the Divine Court responds with immediacy. As Allah is al-'Adl (The Just), He cannot let injustice prevail. The answer may manifest as strengthened patience, divine intervention, or recompense in the Hereafter.
The Supplication of the Pilgrim: The one engaged in Hajj or Umrah, having left worldly attachments, stands in the sacred precincts with purified intention. His du'a is answered because he embodies the state of ihram - detached from worldly adornments and wholly devoted to the Divine.
The Supplication of the Mujahid: The warrior striving in Allah's cause, facing hardship and potential martyrdom, receives special divine attention. His supplication emerges from complete reliance (tawakkul) upon Allah while physically exerting for divine supremacy.
The Supplication of the Sick: Illness purifies the soul and reminds of human fragility. The sick person's prayer is particularly potent as it springs from genuine need and heightened spiritual awareness, stripped of worldly pretensions.
The Supplication for an Absent Brother: The Prophet (peace be upon him) specifically highlighted this as receiving the quickest answer. This demonstrates the immense virtue of selflessness in prayer - when one petitions Allah for another's benefit without their knowledge, free from ostentation.
Scholarly Insights on the Quickest Answer
The scholars explain that the supplication for an absent brother receives swift acceptance because it embodies pure sincerity (ikhlas). When one prays for another in their absence, it demonstrates genuine concern devoid of any expectation of reciprocity or worldly benefit. This selfless intercession reflects the perfected state of brotherhood in faith that Islam cultivates.
Imam al-Ghazali notes in his "Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din" that such supplication contains multiple virtues: it fulfills the right of brotherhood, manifests sincere love for fellow believers, and demonstrates complete trust that only Allah can benefit the absent person. This comprehensive spiritual state makes the du'a particularly potent before the Divine Throne.
Practical Implementation
The wise believer should frequently utilize these special occasions for supplication, especially making du'a for absent brothers and sisters in faith. This hadith teaches us to transform every state - whether of hardship, worship, or illness - into an opportunity for heartfelt communication with our Lord, knowing that these are moments when the gates of divine acceptance are wide open.