SOME REASONS WHY DUA MAY NOT BE ANSWERED

Prophet (sallalahu `alayhi wa sallam) said inna al-du`a huwa al-`ibada": " Dua'a is worship " or "Dua - It is worship" [Ahmad 4:267, 271, 276; Tirmidhi, Tafsir of surat 2:16 (#2969) and 40 (#3247, #3372) (hasan sahih); Abu Dawud Witr # 1479 (sahih); Ibn Hibban; Bukhari in al-Adab al-mufrad (sahih); Ibn Majah, Du`a Ch. 1 (#3828), and Bayhaqi in Shu`ab al-iman 2:37 (#1105bis); without "inna": Muslim, Tabarani, al-Hakim, al-Nisa'i, and Ibn Abi Shayba.]

Table Of Content : 

1. Making Dua'a in a Hurry {Without praising Allah and sending blessings upon the Prophet (s.a.w)}

2. Failing to Remember Allah at times of Happiness (ease or comfort)

3. Failing to pray for oneself first 

4. Failing to supplicate at the times when prayers are answered the Most

5. Complaining to others and refraining from seeking Allah's help 

6. Supplicating to those who have left this world 

7. Disobeying Allah's commands, indulging in Evil and not Enjoining Good

8. Lending money without any proof or contract 

9. Drinking or consuming any form of intoxicant

10. Wearing a (non islamic/shirkiya) taweedh (amulet) for protection or seeking help 

11. Going to a Fortune teller (even for the heck of it)

12. Being Impatient - Getting frustrated when dua'as aren't answered

13. Asking to break family ties or for something unlawful 

14. Being uncertain while making dua'a of it being accepted or not 

15. Eating, Drinking, spending, Buying and Living on Haraam source of earning 

16. Making dua'a with a distracted mind 

17. Making unnecessary dua'a or overstepping the mark . 

18. Showing bad manners or improper etiquette while making dua'a 

19. Severing ties of Kinship/Family 

20. INDULGING IN BID'AH (innovation) 


Whosoever does not supplicate to Allah, He will be angry with Him." [Saheeh Jaami`as-Sagheer #2414]

It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no Muslim who does not offer any du’aa’ in which there is no sin or severing of family ties but Allaah will give him one of three things in return: either He will answer his du’aa’ sooner, or he will store it up for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an equivalent evil away from him because of it.” They said: “We will say a lot of du’aa’.” He said: “Allaah is more generous.” [Narrated by Ahmad (10749), classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb (1633).]

SOME REASONS WHY DUA'A (SUPPLICATIONS) MAY NOT BE ANSWERED


1. Making Dua’a in a hurry; i.e without praising Allah and without sending blessings (Durood) upon the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him)

It is narrated from Faddaalah ibn ‘Ubayd (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) heard a man making du’aa’ in his prayer without glorifying Allaah or sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, ‘This man is in a hurry.’ He called him and said to him or to someone else, ‘When anyone of you makes du’aa’, let him start by glorifying his Lord and praising Him, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), then let him pray for whatever he wants.’” [Ref: Abu Dawood (1481) and al-Tirmidhi (3477) , Sunan Al Nasaee (1284)]

Seeking to draw closer to Allaah by calling upon Him by His Most Beautiful Names and Sublime Attributes at the beginning of the du’aa’ or at the end. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allaah, so call on Him by them” [al-A’raaf 7:180].

The beautiful Names of Allah (called as Asma ul-Husna) are 99 names which you can download/see from here : http://www.mediafire.com/view/?gnuuy7z2afx9jjx

An example showing how invoking Allah using his name is beneficial :

Narated By Buraydah ibn al-Hasib : The Apostle of Allah (pbuh) heard a man saying: O Allah, I ask Thee, I bear witness that there is no god but Thou, the One, He to Whom men repair, Who has not begotten, and has not been begotten, and to Whom no one is equal, and he said: You have supplicated Allah using His Greatest Name, when asked with this name He gives, and when supplicated by this name he answers.

[Ref: Abu-Dawud Book 002, Hadith Number 1488.]

Narated By Mihjan ibn al-Adra' : The Apostle of Allah (pbuh) entered the mosque and saw a man who had finished his prayer, and was reciting the tashahhud saying: O Allah, I ask you, O Allah, the One(Ahad),the eternally(As-Samad) besought of all, He begetteth not(lam yalid), nor was He begotten(Walam yulad), and there is none comparable(Kuffan ahad) unto Him, that you may forgive me my sins, you are Most Forgiving(Al-Gafoor), Merciful.(Ar-Rahman) He (the Prophet) said: He was forgiven (repeating three times.)

[Ref: Abu-Dawud Book 002, Hadith Number 0980]

"إن الدعاء موقوف بين السماء والأرض لا يصعد منه شيء حتى تصلي على نبيك صلى الله عليه وسلم

Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “Du’aa’ is detained (stopped) between the heavens and the earth and no part of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).” [Ref: Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 486, Hasan by Shaikh Albaanee in Saheeh at-Tirmidhi 403; Also recorded by Abu Bakr Ibn al-Arabi al Malaki in his Aridat al-Ahwadhi bi-Sharh Sahih al-Tirmidhi 1/472; Al-Mundhari recorded this in Targheeb wa Tarheeb 2/406 grading the hadeeth to be hasan; As-Shawkaani in Tuhfadh al-Zaakareen58; Ibn Katheer in Musnad al-Farooq 1/176 graded this to have a Jayyid Isnaad ]

2. Failing to Remember Allah at times of Happiness 


Narrated Abu Hurairah: Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Whoever would be pleased to have Allaah respond to him during hardship and disaster should make much Du`aa’ in times of ease.” [Tirmidhee (3383) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

3. Failing to pray for oneself first 


Narrated Abi bin Ka`b: Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم directed that when supplicating for another, one should begin with himself. [Tirmidhee (3384) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

[Note: It is widely noticed that when someone posts saying: “Make du`aa for me”. People are seen rushing to respond: “O Allaah help him” or “O Allaah protect him” etc. But the proper etiquette is to say: “O Allaah! Help me and him”, “O Allaah! Guide me and him.”]

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen rahimahullah said:

It is appropriate for a person when he is supplicating to start with himself first, Musa a.s said: {My Lord Forgive me and my brother} Nuh a.s said {Our Lord forgive me and my parents} He preceded himself before his parents and Prophet عليه الصلاة والسلام said (Start with yourself first). So starting with ourselves is better in supplication

[Sharah Alfiyyah ibn Maalik 1/43]

4. Failing to supplicate at the times when prayers are answered the most 

There are certain times/moments when it is reported that our prayers are quickly accepted or answered. We must take advantage of these jackpots (times) Allah gave us. 

See the times when the prayers are answered the most here : http://the-finalrevelation.blogspot.in/2012/07/best-time-to-supplicate.html

5. Complaining to others and refraining from seeking Allah's help or supplicating to Allah to remove our problems 


The Prophet of Allaah, Yaqoob عليه السلام, said: I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allaah... [Surah Yusuf (12):86]

6. Supplicating to those who have left this world 

Unfortunately many Muslims indulge in supplicating via or to some awliyas and etc who have left this world. They are Alive indeed but not in the way we are. They are in the intermediary stage called as Barzakh. We can neither perceive nor Imagine their state. Especially in today's time a muslim should Invoke and seek Help from Allah alone instead of supplicating to previous awliyas of allah (rahimahullah) 

{And most of them believe not in Allaah except that they also ascribe divine powers to other beings beside Him.} [Surah Yusuf (12): 106]

Allaah تعالى also says:

{Say: “Who can protect you from Allaah if He intends to harm you or who can prevent Him if He intends to show you mercy?” They will find none besides Allaah to protect or help them.} [Surah al-Ahzaab (33):17]

Allaah تعالى says:

{Verily, you cannot make the dead to hear...} [Surah al-Naml (27):80]

He تعالى also says:

{and neither are equal the living and the dead. Certainly Allaah can make anyone hear if He so wills; but, O Prophet, you cannot make those who are in the graves hear you.} [Surah Faatir (35):22]

Please see : 13 QUESTION AND ANSWERS PROVING THAT THE DEAD CANNOT BE SOUGHT HELP FROM IN ANY WAY 

7. Disobeying Allah's command, indulging in Evil and not Enjoining Good 


Ibn Qayyim:

"There are those who do not see the effects of a sin, and they are tricked by it. They don't realize that the sin can take effect after a while."

(ad-Da', p.64)


Narrated Hudhaifah: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “By Him in Whose hand my soul is, you must enjoin what is reputable and forbid what is disreputable, or Allaah will certainly soon send punishment from Himself to you. Then you will make supplication and not receive an answer.” [Tirmidhee (2169) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]


The Messenger of Allaah (Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam) said, “Command the good and forbid the evil before you supplicate so that it is answered.” (Ibn Maajah 2/381 no.4052, Imaam al-Albaanee graded the Hadeeth Hasan in Saheeh Ibn Maajah 2/367 no.3235, Imaam Ibn Hibbaan has also transmitted a similar narration. (Mawaarid az-Zamaan Ilaa Zawaa’id Ibn Hibbaan 1/455-446 no.1841)

Allah says " Indeed, mankind is in loss,Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. [Qur'an 103: 2-3]


Narrated Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq: You people recite this verse, {You who believe! Care for yourselves; he who goes astray cannot harm you when you are rightly guided.} [Surah al-Maaidah (5): 105] I heard Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم say, “When people see something objectionable and do not change it, Allaah will soon include them all in His punishment.” [Sunan Abu Dawood (4338), Ibn Majah (4005) and Tirmidhee (3057) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Allah says " Verily, Allah will not change the (good) conditions of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allah)” (Al-Qur'an, Sura 13 Ra'd , part of Verse

11)   Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali said: It was narrated that ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattaab (radiyAllahu'anhu) said:

"By avoiding that which Allah has forbidden, Allah will accept du’aa and tasbeeh. And it was narrated that Abu Dharr (radiyAllahu'anhu) said: “The amount of du’aa with righteousness that is sufficient is like the amount of salt that is sufficient with food.” And Muhammad ibn Waasi’ said: A little du’aa is sufficient with piety.

One of the Salaf said: Do not expect a response when you have blocked the way with sins. One of the poets also commented on this by saying:

We call upon Allah for every hardship, then we forget Him when the hardship is relieved.

How can we hope for an answer to our du’aa’s, when we have blocked its way with sins?"

(Jaami’ al-‘Uloom wa’l-Hukam 1/107, 108)

Yahyaa Ibn Mu’aadh:

“Do not find slow the answer to your du’aas when you have shut off its path with your sins.”

(As-Siyar, 13/15)
Imam Sufyan ibn `Uyaynah:

“Don’t ever leave off making Du’aa nor allow what [bad deeds] you commit to prevent you from it, for indeed Allah answered the Du’aa of Iblees (the Devil) and he is the most evil of creation [when he said to Allah]

“‘Grant me respite until the Day in which they will be resurrected.’ He (Allah) said, ‘Indeed you are from those who are granted respite.’ ” [7:14-15]“

(Ash-Shu'ab, 2/1147)

8. Lending money without any Proof or contract

He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are three who call upon Allaah but their prayer will not be answered… (cont..) ...and a man who lent money to another man but he did not have (the loan) witnessed.” (Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3075)

The above command of rasool (Peace and blessings be upon him) could be because of the following ayat:

“You should not become weary (lazy, ignorant) to write it (your contract), whether it be small or big, for its fixed term” [al-Baqarah 2:282 – interpretation of the meaning]

9. Drinking or consuming any form of intoxicant

Narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever drinks alcohol and gets drunk, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days and if he dies he will go to Hell. But if he repents, Allaah will accept his repentance. If he again drinks alcohol and gets drunk, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days and if he dies he will go to Hell. But if he repents, Allaah will accept his repentance. If he again drinks alcohol and gets drunk, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days and if he dies he will go to Hell. But if he repents, Allaah will accept his repentance. If he commits (this sin) again, then Allaah pledges to make him drink the mud of khabaal on the Day of Resurrection.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allaah, what is the mud of khabaal?” He said, “The juices of the people of Hell.” [Ibn Maajah (3377), Sahih Al Albani in Silsilat Al Saheeha (709) ]

10. Wearing a Taweedh (amulet) for protection or seeking help

I heard the Messenger of Allaah (SAWW) It was narrated that ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Whoever wears an amulet (taweedh), may Allaah not fulfil his need , and whoever wears a sea-shell, may Allaah not give him peace.”  [Ref: Narrated by Ahmad, 16951]

11. Going to a Fortune Teller (even for Fun or for the heck of it)

Prophet (s.a.w) said “Whoever goes to a fortune-teller and asks him about something, his prayers will not be accepted for forty nights”  [Ref: Saheeh Muslim, 4/1751]

12. Being Impatient – getting Frustrated when dua’as aren’t answered

Imam Sufyan ibn `Uyaynah:


“Don’t ever leave off making Du’aa nor allow what [bad deeds] you commit to prevent you from it, for indeed Allah answered the Du’aa of Iblees (the Devil) and he is the most evil of creation [when he said to Allah]


“‘Grant me respite until the Day in which they will be resurrected.’ He (Allah) said, ‘Indeed you are from those who are granted respite.’ ” [7:14-15]“


(Ash-Shu'ab, 2/1147)

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A person will still be answered so long as his du’aa’ does not involve sin or severing ties of kinship, and so long as he does not become impatient.” It was said: O Messenger of Allaah, what does being impatient mean? He said: “Saying, I said du’aa’, and I said du’aa’, and I did not receive any response, then he becomes frustrated and stops saying du’aa’.” [Narrated by Muslim (2735), A similar narration is narrated in Al-Muwatta hadith 29, volume 15.]


Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “The invocation of anyone of you is granted (by Allaah) if he does not show impatience (by saying, “I invoked Allaah but my request has not been granted).” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6340) and Saheeh Muslim (4922)]

The person who makes du’aa’ has to be resolute in his supplication, striving hard and earnestly repeating his du’aa’. A very good example of this is the below hadeeth wherein prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him)  kept on pleading Allah continuously

One night he (Peace and blessings be upon him)  stood (in prayer) repeating one aayah until it was dawn:"If you do punish them, they are Your servants; if You do forgive them, You are indeed the Exalted in Power, the Wise." (al- Maa'idah 5:121) [with it (this supplication from the Qur'an) he bowed, with it he prostrated, and with it he supplicated], [so in the morning Abu Dharr (radi Allaahu 'anhu) said to him: "O Messenger of Allaah, you did not stop reciting this aayah until it was morning; you bowed with it and you prostrated with it and you supplicated with it,] [whereas Allaah has taught you the whole Qur'aan; if one of us were to do this, we would be stern with him? He said: Indeed I asked my Lord, the Mighty and Sublime, for intercession for my ummah: He granted me it, and it will be possible if Allaah wills for whoever does not associate any partners with Allaah [Sunan al Nasaa'i, Ibn Khuzaimah (1/70/1), Ahmad, Ibn Nasr & Haakim, who declared it saheeh and Dhahabi agreed.]

After repenting from sins 

Source: Sayd ul-Khaatir; Chapter 249, p. 343

Asaheeha Translations

“I worship (Allaah) by making du’aa, and I am certain that the answer will come”

Shaykh Ibn aj-Jawzee (rahimahullaah) says:

“If you fall into a hardship that is hard to be free from, you can’t (do anything) but make du’aa and take refuge in Allaah, after repenting from sins, because sins necessitate punishment, so if they disappear by repentance from them, the reason (for punishment) is lifted. So if you repented and made du’aa, and did not see any trace of response, then look into your affair. Maybe the repentence was not sound, so correct it then make du’aa and don’t become tired of making du’aa. Maybe the good is in delaying the response, and maybe the good is not in responding, so you will be rewarded and responded by being referred to what benefits you, and it would be beneficial for you to not be given what you requested, but rather to be given other than it as a replacement.

So if iblees comes and says: ‘How much did you call upon Him and did not see any response?’ Then say: ‘I worship (Allaah) by making du’aa, and I am certain that the answer will come. But maybe its delay is due to some good, and even if it doesn’t happen, worship and humility takes place.’ So take care not to ask for something except by combining it with asking for that which is good, because the occurrence of many a wish from the dunyaa was a cause for destruction.”

13. Asking to break family ties (near or far) or for something unlawful

It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no Muslim who does not offer any du’aa’ in which there is no sin or severing of family ties but Allaah will give him one of three things in return: either He will answer his du’aa’ sooner, or he will store it up for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an equivalent evil away from him because of it.” They said: “we will say a lot of du’aa’.” He said: “Allaah is more generous.” [Narrated by Ahmad (10749), classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb (1633)]

14. Being uncertain while Making Dua'a or Being unsure of the Dua'a (or its reward ) being accepted or not 

Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu’z Zinad from al-Araj from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ”When you are making dua, do not say: ‘O Allah, forgive me if You wish. O Allah, forgive me if you wish.’ You should be firm in your asking, for there is no compelling Him.” [ Al Muwatta hadith 28, volume 15, Fiqh us Sunnah, Vol 4, No. 112b]


Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “None of you should say: 'O Allaah, forgive me if You wish; O Allaah, be merciful to me if You wish,' but he should always appeal to Allaah with determination, for nobody can force Allaah to do something against His Will.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6339) and Saheeh Muslim (4845)]

One should always believe that Allah is listening and he will either answer your prayer, or expiate some sins in exchange for it or give you the reward in the hereafter because 

Prophet (Peace be upon Him) said: “Allah, may He be exalted, says: ‘I am as My slave thinks I am.’” [Narrated by al-Bukhari, 7405; Muslim, 4675]

[Note: Don’t let the deficiency in a language be the cause of deficiency in the Du`aa. Verily, we’ve been informed by our beloved Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم to be firm while making the Du`aa, and we (unintentionally) show our uncertainty because of our Language – especially English.

Whenever we make du`aa, why do we use the word “may”??! “May Allaah make it easy”, “may Allaah guide me”, “may Allaah protect me”.

Instead we should say: “Allaah guide me and you.”, “Allaah reward me and you.” etc.

Then there is another problem which persists: People adding the word “Inshaa-Allaah” (If Allaah Wills) after making a Du`aa. This is not correct either and going against the Sunnah of our Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Just make the Du`aa’ and stop at it.]

15. Eating, Drinking, Spending, Buying, Living on Haraam money

Abu Hurairah (r.a) reported that the Prophet (s.a.w) said, “O people, Allah is Good and He, therefore, accepts only that which is good. And Allah commanded the believers as He commanded the Messengers by saying, "O Messengers, eat of the good things, and do good deeds; verily I am aware of what you do," ( Qur’an 23.51) and He said:
"O those who believe, eat of the good things that We gave you’.” (Qur’an 2.172) The Prophet, peace be upon him, then made mention of a person who travels widely, his hair dishevelled, and covered with dust. “He lifts his hands and makes supplication, ‘O Lord, O Lord,’ but his diet (food) is unlawful (haram), his drink is unlawful, and his clothes are unlawful, and his nourishment (survival) is unlawful. How then can his supplication be accepted?“ [Muslim 1692 and Ahmad]

Ibn ‘Abbas reported, “Once, when I recited the verses of the Qur’an, ‘O you people! Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good’ (2.168) in the presence of the Prophet, peace be upon him. Sa’d b. Abi Waqqas got up and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Ask Allah to make me one whose supplication is heard.’ At this the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, ‘O Sa’d, consume lawful things and your supplications will be heard, and by Him in Whose hands is the soul of Muhammad, when a man puts into his stomach a morsel of what is forbidden his prayers are not accepted for forty days, and a servant of Allah whose body is nourished by usury or by what is forbidden becomes more deserving of the Hell fire.” [Al-Hafiz b. Marduwiyah, Fiqh-us-Sunnah, volume 4: 110a]

Meaning, if a person eats, drinks, spends, consumes or lives on Haraam earned money (stealing directly or indirectly, giving or taking interest, lying to sell your product, cheating and etc), his dua’a will not be answered.

16. Making Dua with a distracted mind, or carelessly

One should be focused while making dua'a for he is invoking the Lord of the Universe, the sustainer, the creator, the merciful , the compassionate !!

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ادْعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَنْتُمْ مُوقِنُونَ بِالْإِجَابَةِ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَجِيبُ دُعَاءً مِنْ قَلْبٍ غَافِلٍ لَاهٍ

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Call upon Allah with certainty that he will answer you. Know that Allah will not answer the supplication of a heart that is heedless and careless.”

[Ref: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3479; Da`eef by some but Hasan Li-gayrihi by Shaykh Albaanee]

There are many quotes of our sullaf emphasizing on the importance of kushoo whilst making du`a such as this one:



Abd Al-Raḥmān b. Yazīd reports:

Al-Rabīʿ b. Khuthaym used to come to ʿAlqamah on the day of Jumuʿah and they would talk. They would call for me and I would come and talk with them. One day, they sent for me and I came. ʿAlqamah said to me, Have you not heard what Al-Rabīʿ b. Khuthaym has come to us with? I replied, And what is that? He said, [Rabīʿ] said a man from the People of Scripture once said to us, Do you not see how much people supplicate but how seldom their prayers are answered? That is because Allāh does not accept except what is sincere and purely for Him. I said, Well ʿAbdullāh [b. Masʿūd] already said the same. He asked, What did he say? I replied, Haven’t you heard him say, By Him other than whom there is none worthy of worship, Allāh does not accept [the deed] of one who seeks to be heard of, or seen, and nor someone who is playing around, [He only accepts the supplication] of one who calls upon Him from the bottom of his heart. He replied, Indeed, [I have heard him say that].


[Hunād b. Al-Sarī, Al-Zuhd #874.; taken from sayings of the salaf.net]




17. Making Unnecessary Dua'a or Overstepping while Making Dua'a 

Be specific and use concise words instead of overstepping the mark in making Dua. Narrated from Abd-Allaah ibn Mughaffal (R.A) that he heard his son say: “O Allah, I ask You for the white palace on the right side of Paradise if I enter it.” He said: “O my son, ask Allah for Paradise and seek refuge with Allah from the Fire, for I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon Him) say: ‘Among this Ummah will be people who overstep the mark in purifying themselves and in making Dua” [Narrated by Abu Dawood, 690]

18. Showing bad manners while making Dua’a.

One should not forget that he is talking and begging to the Lord of the Lords and not some manager or school Principle. Showing respect, humility and sincerity is a must while making dua’aa. 


Beseeching, humbling oneself, hoping for Allaah’s reward and fearing His punishment. This is the spirit, essence and purpose of du’aa’. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors” [al-A’raaf 7:55].

One very important matter which is to be pondered upon is proper pronounciation of the words in arabic taken from the Qur'an and sunnah while invoking Allah. Arabic is a very sensitive and beatiful language. A single or slight change in the pronounciation changes the meaning. Here is an example


Bakr Abu-Zayd:

"One time, Al-Asma'i passed by a man who, while making du'a said, "Ya Dhul Jalali Wa Al-Ikram," (Which is grammatically incorrect, it should be: Ya Dhal...), so Al-Asma'i asked the man about his name. The man replied, "Layth." So Al-Asma'i wrote a line of poetry saying,

Layth calls upon his Lord with grammatical errors,
This is why when he call upon him He does not answer."

[Ref: Tashih Ad-Du'a, Pg. 25]

Note: Allah answers all du'a made with Ikhlas. All Al-Asma'i was pointing out that it is a shame, and Indeed, disrespectful to call upon Allah and supplicate to Him, making grammatical errors.

وَعَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي مُلَيْكَةَ قَالَ: قَدِمَ أَعْرَابِيٌّ فِي زَمَانِ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ فَقَالَ: مَنْ يُقْرِئُنِي مِمَّا أُنْزِلَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ؟ قَالَ: فَأَقْرَأَهُ رجل" براءة"، فقال:" أَنَّ اللَّهَ بَرِيءٌ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ وَرَسُولِهِ". بِالْجَرِّ فَقَالَ الْأَعْرَابِيُّ: أَوَقَدْ بَرِئَ اللَّهُ مِنْ رَسُولِهِ؟ فَإِنْ يَكُنِ اللَّهُ برئ من رس. له فَأَنَا أَبْرَأُ مِنْهُ، فَبَلَغَ عُمَرَ مَقَالَةُ الْأَعْرَابِيِّ: فَدَعَاهُ فَقَالَ: يَا أَعْرَابِيُّ أَتَبْرَأُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ؟ فَقَالَ يَا أمير المؤمنين، إني قدمت المدينة ولأعلم لِي بِالْقُرْآنِ، فَسَأَلْتُ مَنْ يُقْرِئُنِي، فَأَقْرَأَنِي هَذَا سورة" براءة" فقال:" أَنَّ اللَّهَ بَرِيءٌ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ورسوله"، فقلت أو قد بَرِئَ اللَّهُ مِنْ رَسُولِهِ، إِنْ يَكُنِ اللَّهُ بَرِئَ مِنْ رَسُولِهِ فَأَنَا أَبْرَأُ مِنْهُ، فَقَالَ عُمَرُ: لَيْسَ هَكَذَا يَا أَعْرَابِيُّ، قَالَ: فَكَيْفَ هِيَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ؟ قَالَ" أَنَّ اللَّهَ بَرِيءٌ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ وَرَسُولُهُ" فقال الأعرابي: وأنا أَبْرَأُ مِمَّا بَرِئَ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ مِنْهُ، فَأَمَرَ عمر ابن الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَلَّا يُقْرِئَ النَّاسَ إِلَّا عَالَمٌ بِاللُّغَةِ، وَأَمَرَ أَبَا الْأَسْوَدِ «1» فَوَضَعَ النَّحْوَ

Ibn Abi Mulayka said, "A bedouin arrived in Madina in the time of `Umar ibn al-Khattab and asked, 'Who will recite some of what was revealed to Muhammad, salallahu `alayhi wa sallam?' A man recited Surat at-Bar'a to him. He said, 'Allah is free of the idolaters and His Messenger' using the genitive for Messenger (rasooliHI).' The bedouin said, 'Allah is free of His Messenger? If Allah is free of His Messenger, we are more free of him.' `Umar heard what the bedouin had said so he summoned him and said, 'Bedouin, are you free of the Messenger of Allah?' He replied, 'Ameer al-Mu'minin, I came to Madina with no knowledge of the Qur'an. I asked someone to recite it to me and he recited this Sura al-Bara’ (i.e. tawbah) and said, "Allah is free of the idolaters and His Messenger." So I said, "Allah is free of His Messenger? If Allah is free of His Messenger, we are more free of him."' `Umar said, 'That is not how it is, bedouin.' He said, 'How is it then, Amir al-Mu'minun?' He said, 'Allah is free of the idolaters, as is His Messenger (rasuluHU).' The bedouin said, 'We, by Allah, are more free of what Allah and His Messenger are free of!' So `Umar ibn al-Khattab commanded that only those who knew proper grammar should recite to people and he commanded Abu'l-Aswad to set out the grammar."

[1]  يجوز أن يكون أمر أبي الأسود بوضع النحو تكرر من عمر ومن علي.

[Ref:  Tafseer Qurtubi (Shamela 1/23-24)]

Abd Al-Raḥmān b. Yazīd reports:

Al-Rabīʿ b. Khuthaym used to come to ʿAlqamah on the day of Jumuʿah and they would talk. They would call for me and I would come and talk with them. One day, they sent for me and I came. ʿAlqamah said to me, Have you not heard what Al-Rabīʿ b. Khuthaym has come to us with? I replied, And what is that? He said, [Rabīʿ] said a man from the People of Scripture once said to us, Do you not see how much people supplicate but how seldom their prayers are answered? That is because Allāh does not accept except what is sincere and purely for Him. I said, Well ʿAbdullāh [b. Masʿūd] already said the same. He asked, What did he say? I replied, Haven’t you heard him say, By Him other than whom there is none worthy of worship, Allāh does not accept [the deed] of one who seeks to be heard of, or seen, and nor someone who is playing around, [He only accepts the supplication] of one who calls upon Him from the bottom of his heart. He replied, Indeed, [I have heard him say that].

[Hunād b. Al-Sarī, Al-Zuhd #874.; taken from sayings of the salaf.net]

THE IMPORTANCE OF ARABIC LANGUAGE:

One of the reported instructions ‘Umar wrote to Abu Musa al-`Ashari and those under his governance during the former’s Caliphate was, “Seek knowledge and understanding of (fiqh) the Sunnah and seek knowledge and understanding of Arabic.”

[Ibn Abî Shaybah, Al-Musannaf Vol.6 p126.]

It is reported that he said, “Learn Arabic, for it strengthens the intelligence and increases one’s noble conduct (al-murû`ah).”

[Al-Bayhaqî, Shu’ab Al-Îmân Vol.4 p187.]

It is also reported that he said, “Do not learn the language of the non-Arabs, and do not enter upon them in their churches on their festivals, for indeed wrath descends upon them.”

[‘Abd Al-Razzâq Al-San’ânî, Al-Musannaf Vol.1 p411.]

It is also reported that he was once circumambulating the Ka’bah when he heard two men speaking in a language other than Arabic behind him. He turned to them and said, “Find some way to learn Arabic.”

[‘Abd Al-Razzâq Al-San’ânî, Al-Musannaf Vol.5 p496]


19. Severing ties of Kinship/Family 



حَدَّثَنَا يُونُسُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا الْخَزْرَجُ يَعْنِي ابْنَ عُثْمَانَ السَّعْدِيَّ، عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ - يَعْنِي مَوْلَى عُثْمَانَ - عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: " إِنَّ أَعْمَالَ بَنِي آدَمَ تُعْرَضُ كُلَّ خَمِيسٍ لَيْلَةَ الْجُمُعَةِ، فَلَا يُقْبَلُ عَمَلُ قَاطِعِ رَحِمٍ

"The actions of the children of Adam are presented before Allah Almighty on Thursday evening, the night before Jumu'a. He does not accept the actions of someone who has severed ties of kinship."' 

[Ref: Al Mundhari in Targeeb wa Tarheeb 3/311 - Thiqah , Majma of Al Haythami 8/154 : Thiqah , Al Suyooti in Jami'a Sagheer 2209 - Hassan, Haythami Al Makke in Al Zawaajar : 2/77 : Thiqah, Albani said Da'eef in Irwa 4/105 but said Hasan in Saheeh Al Targheeb 2538]

20. Indulging in bid'ah (innovation) 


The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said : 

إن الله احتجز التوبة عن صاحب كل بدعة  

Indeed Allah does not accept the repentance of an innovator until he stops the innovation 

[Related by at-Tabraanee in al-Awsat (4360), and authenticated by Shaikh Albaanee in As-Saheeha (1620); Also : Authenticated by Al-Mundhiree, (At-Targheeb, 1/45), Ad-Diyaa’ (2054, 2055), Al-Haitamee (Az-Zawaajir, Kabeerah 51: Tark-us-Sunnah), Al-Ghumaaree (Al-Mudaawee, 2/262-263), Al-Albaanee (As-Saheehah, 4/154; Zilaal-ul-Jannah, 37; Saheeh-ut-Targheeb, 54; Saheeh-ul-Jaami`, 1699; Al-Manaasik, p.44; Hajjat-un-Nabee, p. 101), Al-Hilaalee (Al-Bid`ah, p.130; Al-I`tisaam, 1/162, 2/782), Al-Halabee (`Ilm Usool-il-Bida`, p.33), Mashhoor Salmaan (Al-I`tisaam, 1/212, 112; Al-Mujaalasah, 6/398-399) and others.

Al-Haithamee said: “Its narrators are those of the Saheeh except for Haaroon ibn Moosaa Al-Farawee who is reliable.” (Al-Majma`, 10/189). `Abdul-Muhsin Al-`Abbaad (Al-Kutub war-Rasaa’il, 7/318-319) and others also alluded to its authenticity. See also: Mu`jam-ul-Mudalliseen (p.168-172).

To see the different chains of narration click here] 

The prophet (s.a.w) said " Everyone will be with those whom he loves."*

[Sahih al Bukhaari, Vol. 8, Book 73, Hadith 189] 

* If you love the people of innovation , then you know what this hadeeth means and indicates . Imam al Mundhari even has a chapter titled with this hadeeth in his book, which will be mentioned below 

The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Every innovation is misguidance and going astray"

 
Reported by Abu Daawood (no. 4607), at-Tirmidhee (no. 2676) and it is saheeh. Ibn Hajr authenticated it Takhreej Ahaadeeth Ibn ul-Haajib (1/137).
 

The Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) also warned against the People of Innovation, from befriending, supporting or taking from them saying: "Whoever innovates or accommodates an innovator then upon him is the curse of Allaah, His Angels and the whole of mankind."
 

Reported by Bukhaaree (12/41) and Muslim (9/140) and also Abu dawood
 

There are more than 50 warnings on this topic from the salafus saaliheen. You may see them here: http://the-finalrevelation.blogspot.in/2012/07/what-is-bidah-and-why-is-it-most.html

Summary of the main reasons :
al-‘Allammah Dr. Saalih bin Fawzan Al Fawzan  حفظه الله

Summarized Answer for du`a having conditions for it's acceptibility:

Yes, it has conditions.

[1] Firstly, the supplication should not exceed the legislation (Sharīah), it should not include transgression or other than that.

Even worse, it should not include (any of the following):

- Supplication to other than Allāh,

- Associating partners with Allah (shīrk),

- Seeking aid from the dead (Istigāthā)

- Seeking closeness with Allah through the dead (tawasul).

This nullifies the supplication and other acts of worship, because it is shīrk.

[2] The supplication should be said with statements that are in line with the Shariah or whatever agrees with it.  It should not include innovated statements. 

[3] The supplicator should be sincere to Allah in his supplication, sincere in his intention and sincere in his belief (Aqidah) to Allah.

[4] His food, drink, clothing, etc should be lawful (halal). if any of these are unlawful (haraam) his supplication will not be accepted. The evidence for this is the hadith of 'a man who, having journeyed far is dishevelled and dusty and who spreads out his bands to the sky (saying): ‘O Lord! O Lord,’ whilst his food is unlawful, his drink unlawful and he is nourished unlawfully. So how can he be answered!’
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AblXoCrk7AM


CONCLUSION:

It is reported that Ibrâhîm b. Adham (d162H) – Allâh have mercy on him –once passed through the market of Basrah. People gathered around him and asked:

O Abû Ishâq, Allâh the Exalted says in his Book. ‘Call on me, I will answer your prayers’, but we have been call­ing on Him for a long time and He does not answer our prayers. [Ibrâhîm] replied, “O people of Basrah, your hearts have died in re­ spect to ten things: First, you know Allâh but you do not give Him His rights; second, you have read Allâh’s Book but you do not act by it; third, you claim to love Allâh’s Messenger – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him – yet you abandon his Sunnah; fourth, you claim to be enemies to Shaytân but you conform to [his ways]; fifth, you say you love Par­adise yet you do not work for it; sixth, you say you fear The Fire yet you put yourselves closer to it [by sinning]; seventh, you say death is true but you do not prepare for it; eighth, you busy yourselves with the faults of others and disregard your own; ninth, you consume the favors of your Lord but are not grateful for them; and tenth, you bury your dead but take no lesson from them.”

[Ref: Abû Nu’aym, Hilyah Al-Awliyâ’ 8: 15, 16.]

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Conclusion : Allah always does what is the best for us , even though we may not understand it :)