thereby, as Ibn al-Qayyim—may Allah have mercy on him—says, “like someone who sowed seed or planted a sapling and continued tending and watering it, but then, finding that it was taking too long to reach maturity and bear fruit, abandoned and neglected it.”1

The Prophet’s words in the preceding hadith—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—“so long as he does not supplicate for something sinful or for the severing of family ties” also point to another impediment to the acceptance of supplication: a person must not supplicate for a sin or an act of disobedience, or ask for harm to befall himself or anyone else. This stems from Allah’s wisdom—Mighty and Majestic—and His kindness toward His creation. If He, Glorified is He, were to grant His servant everything he desired and requested, it would lead to numerous harmful consequences for him or for others. As He, Glorified is He, says: “If Allah were to hasten evil for people as they wish to hasten good, their appointed term would already have been brought to an end.” 2 He, Exalted is He, also says: “Had the truth followed their desires, the heavens and the earth would have fallen into corruption.” 3 And He, Exalted is He, says: “Man supplicates for evil as he supplicates for good, for man is ever hasty.” 4

It is therefore evident that the revealed texts indicate that supplication is answered only when its conditions are fulfilled and its impediments are absent. I have mentioned some of these, and a number of others will be discussed later, Allah willing.