Does Allaah Delay the Response to Du’aa’ for the One Whom He Loves?

Praise be to Allaah.  

Firstly: 

Islam encourages us to make a lot of du’aa’, and not to be hasty in seeking a response.  That is because du’aa’ is a great act of worship which is beloved to Allaah. Indeed there are texts which warn us against neglecting du’aa’, because neglecting it is a sign of arrogance. 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And your Lord said: ‘Invoke Me [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation). Verily, those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!’”

[Ghaafir 40:60] 

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “(The du’aa’) of any one of you will be answered so long as he is not hasty in seeking a response and does not say, ‘I prayed but I have not had a response.’” 

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5981; Muslim, 2735 

It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:  “There is no Muslim who calls upon Allaah with words in which there is no sin or severing of family ties but Allaah will give him one of three things: either He will answer his prayer soon, or He will store it up for him in the Hereafter, or He will remove something bad from him that is equivalent to what he is asking for.” They said, “Then we should make a great amount of du’aa’.” He said, “Allaah is greater.” 

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3573; classed as saheeh by al-Tirmidhi and others. 

Secondly: 

The hadeeth mentioned by the questioner is a very weak hadeeth (da’eef jiddan). It was narrated from Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If a person prays to Allaah and Allaah loves him, He says ‘O Jibreel, meet the need of this slave of Mine, but delay it, for I love to hear his voice.’ If a person prays to Allaah and Allaah hates him, He says, ‘O Jibreel, meet the need of this slave of Mine and give it to him immediately, for I hate to hear his voice.” 

Narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Awsat, 8/216. Its isnaad includes Ishaaq ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Abi Farwah, who is matrook as stated in Majma’ al-Zawaa’id, 10/151 

If it is understood that the hadeeth is very weak, it is not fit to be quoted as evidence. 

Thirdly: 

Undoubtedly if a person feels that Allaah has responded to him, this is a great blessing which deserves that he should give thanks and praise, and continue doing righteous deeds and fearing Allaah, for these are among the greatest means of Allaah answering du’aa’. It is a blessing, if it is true, and a person may feel envious of the one who is blessed in this manner. Every Muslim wishes that his du’aa’ will be answered. This – in sha Allaah – is an indication that a person is righteous, truthful and sincere. So he must continue to fear Allaah, do righteous deeds and avoid haraam things; this will make the blessing continue. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allaah), I will give you more (of My Blessings)”

[Ibraaheem 14:7] 

Fourthly: 

What the questioner mentions about spreading goodness and da’wah is something that will be good for her in this world and in the Hereafter in sha Allah. This is one of the kinds of kindness that bring good in this world and in the Hereafter. We ask Allaah to support her, guide her and help her in that, and to give her the best reward.

                             And Allaah knows best

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

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Source: IslamHouse.com