We’ve all had that one dua, or several, that brought us down to our knees—a desperate plea, a heart-wrenching request, something that brings tears to our eyes the moment it’s mentioned. “Please pray for us to have a child.”
“I am miserable at my workplace. I need a new job.”
“I’m so stressed from all my debts…”
“I wish I could get married too.”
“Please remember my sick daughter in your duas…”
“I keep praying for my spouse to change…”It goes on and on.
We’ve all experienced that sense of helplessness and heartache, longing for our prayers to be answered. It may have been days, months, or even years of waiting, praying, begging, and pleading, telling anyone willing to listen to please pray for us. In the midst of all this heaviness and desperation comes the ultimate submission to Allah. We realize that this world, with all its riches, is insignificant and powerless, except when Allah wills it.
During these trying times, Shaitan is particularly active, looking for any opportunity to instil hopelessness in us, to make us believe that Allah can’t hear us or won’t respond. He wants to make us abandon acts of worship, making us think, “What’s the point if Allah won’t answer my pleas?”
Imagine a child eagerly wanting to swim in the deeper side of the pool. They see their friends confidently swimming in that part, having fun and enjoying themselves, and they desperately want to join them. But as the parent, you know that they’re not quite ready for the deeper end. If they jump in too soon, they might struggle, get overwhelmed, or even hurt themselves. So, you guide them to the shallow end, where they can gradually learn, gain confidence, and build strength. You might give them a floater or a swimsuit to help them feel safe and secure.From the child’s perspective, though, they don’t understand why they can’t jump into the deeper end right away. They see their friends thriving there, and they cry or beg to join, feeling left out. But as a parent, you know they need more time, more practice, and more preparation before they’re ready to swim safely in deeper waters.
In the same way, when we make duas and pray for things — a job, a marriage, a child, a change, an opportunity — we often see others who seem to have what we desire, and we feel frustrated or impatient. But Allah, in His wisdom, knows we might not yet be equipped to handle the blessings we ask for. Like the child, we may long for what we see others enjoying, but the “not yet” answer isn’t a rejection; it’s a form of preparation. Just as a child needs time in the shallow end to build their skills and confidence, we, too, need time to grow, learn, and become ready for the deeper blessings ahead. The deeper end will come when we are truly ready to thrive there.
No matter how difficult a situation may seem and how long it may take, find comfort in this: Abu Razin reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Allah laughs at the despair of His servant, for He will soon relieve him.” I once asked, “O Messenger of Allah, does the Lord laugh?” The Prophet replied, “Yes.” I then said, “We will never be deprived of goodness by a Lord who laughs!” (Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 181)
Beloved reader, Allah knows. Allah knows. Allah knows. Do not let Shaitan lead you to despair. Remember how many times we have witnessed women, past their menopause, give birth after years of waiting? How often have we seen Allah reunite loved ones after decades of separation? Take, for example, the families in Palestine, often separated for years but eventually reuniting. And how many people have married after it seemed hopeless? (Just recently, I read about a 63-year-old woman who got married for the first time.) Consider how Allah has sent strangers to those in distress and debt, who unexpectedly paid everything off, providing them with a fresh start. Isn’t the Qalby Etmaan program just one illustration of many ways Allah brings relief to countless individuals? Subhanallah!
I know it may not seem like it right now. Your desires might feel too far-fetched, unattainable, or impossible. But remember who your Lord is. He is the Lord of Musa (alayhi ssalam), who parted the sea; the Lord of Ayub, who healed him after years of suffering; the Lord of Ibrahim (alayhi ssalam), who was unharmed by the fire; the Lord of Maryam, who was granted a miraculous pregnancy; and the Lord of Umar ibn Khattab, who transformed from being the greatest enemy of Islam to one of its staunchest supporters. Indeed, nothing is impossible.Hang in there.
This Ramadan, do not stop making your dua(s). Instead, elevate them with more passion, conviction, hope, and faith in Allah.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.
In another hadith, 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
Search for that long-awaited response, dear reader. Although the relief you seek may not have arrived just yet, it is steadily approaching, like the first light of dawn breaking through a dark night. Hold onto hope, for it is on its way to you. It is coming, and with it, peace and resolution will follow. It is coming. The relief is coming.
P.S: It’s the first Friday of Ramadhan alhamdulilah. Seek the hour of acceptance of dua (sa3t Al istijabah) and pour your heart to Allah. May all that you utter in sincerity be granted to you with abundance, ameen. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺp.b.u.h) talked about Friday and said, “There is an hour (opportune time) on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while praying and asks something from Allah, then Allah will definitely meet his demand.” And he (the Prophet) pointed out the shortness of that time with his hands. (Sahih al-Bukhari 935)Please remember me and my family in your duas 🙂
