“There is not a man who calls upon Allah with a supplication, except that he is answered. Either it shall be granted to him in the world, or reserved for him in the Hereafter, or, his sins shall be expiated for it according to the extent that he supplicated - as long as he does not supplicate for some sin, or for the severing of the ties of kinship, and he does not become hasty.” They said: “O Messenger of Allah, and how would he be hasty?” He (ﷺ) said: “He says: ‘I called upon my Lord, but He did not answer me.’”
The Promise of Answered Supplication
The hadith establishes the fundamental principle that every sincere supplication to Allah receives a response. This demonstrates Allah's infinite mercy and generosity toward His servants, affirming that no prayer offered with proper conditions goes unanswered in the divine wisdom.
Three Forms of Divine Response
The immediate granting of what was asked for in this worldly life, as a manifestation of Allah's grace and favor toward the supplicant.
The reservation of the reward for the Hereafter, where it will be granted in a form far superior to what was requested, as the eternal reward outweighs temporal worldly benefits.
The expiation of sins equivalent to the intensity and sincerity of the supplication, serving as purification from transgressions and elevating spiritual stations.
Conditions for Supplication
The supplication must not involve seeking something sinful or prohibited by Islamic law, as Allah does not respond to prayers that entail disobedience.
The supplicant must not pray for the severing of kinship ties, which Islam strongly emphasizes maintaining and nurturing.
The believer must avoid haste and impatience, trusting in Allah's perfect timing and wisdom in responding to prayers.
The Nature of Haste in Supplication
Haste manifests when the supplicant abandons prayer due to perceiving delay in response, failing to understand that Allah's wisdom determines the optimal time and manner of answering.
True believers persist in supplication with patience and certainty, knowing that Allah's response—whether immediate, delayed, or substituted—always contains what is best for them.
Spiritual Benefits
This teaching cultivates continuous connection with Allah through persistent supplication, strengthening faith and dependence upon the Divine.
It teaches believers contentment with Allah's decree, recognizing that the All-Wise knows what benefits His servants better than they know themselves.
The hadith encourages purification of intentions, ensuring supplications align with divine commandments and avoid what displeases Allah.