such-and-such.’ Both the righteous and the wicked make such requests, and Allah answers whoever calls upon Him according to the circumstances and as His wisdom dictates. This demonstrates the Lord’s generosity and the kindness He extends to both the righteous and the wicked. By itself, however, it does not indicate the righteousness of the person whose supplication is answered, unless accompanied by evidence of his righteousness, truthfulness, and the truth being on his side. Such is the case when the prophets make requests and supplicate for or against their people, and Allah answers them: this demonstrates the truthfulness of what they have conveyed and their honoured standing with their Lord. Thus, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would often offer supplications whose answers Muslims and others could witness. These were proofs of his prophethood and signs of his truthfulness. Likewise, the accounts of answered supplications from many of Allah’s righteous allies are evidence of their honoured standing with Allah.

As for the special response1, it has numerous causes. Among them is the supplication of a distressed person who has fallen into severe hardship and anguish, for Allah answers his supplication. Allah Most High says:

“Or who answers the distressed when he calls upon Him?”2

This is because of his profound need for Allah, his utter humility, and his complete abandonment of dependence upon created beings. It is also because of the vastness of Allah’s mercy, which encompasses His creatures according to their need for it—how much more so those in desperate need of it. Among the causes of a response are prolonged travel and seeking to draw near to Allah through the means most beloved to Him: His names, attributes, and blessings. Likewise, there are the supplications of the sick, the oppressed, those who fast, and a parent supplicating against or for his child, at blessed times and in blessed circumstances.”3