In this hadith, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—pointed to the proper manners of supplication, the factors that lead to its being answered, and those that prevent it from being answered. The hadith contains an important lesson and valuable insights concerning this subject, which will be explained later, Allah willing.

Among the proofs that a supplication’s acceptance depends upon the fulfillment of certain conditions and the absence of impediments is the report authentically established in the two Sahīhs from Abu Hurayrah—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said: “The supplication of any one of you will be answered so long as he does not grow impatient and say, ‘I supplicated, but I was not answered.’”1

It is also authentically established in Sahīh Muslim, from Abu Hurayrah—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said: “A servant’s supplication will continue to be answered so long as he does not supplicate for something sinful or for the severing of family ties, and so long as he does not grow impatient.” He was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what does it mean to grow impatient?” He replied: “He says, ‘I have supplicated and supplicated, yet I have seen no answer.’ He then grows weary and abandons supplication.”2

In the Musnad, through a sound chain of transmission, Anas ibn Mālik—may Allah be pleased with him—reported that the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said: “A servant will remain in a state of goodness so long as he does not grow impatient.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how does he grow impatient?” He replied: “He says, ‘I have supplicated to my Lord, but He has not answered me.’”3

Thus, impatience for an answer is one of the afflictions that prevent supplication from producing its effect. When an impatient person considers the answer slow in coming, he loses heart, abandons supplication, and becomes