69 — Warning Against Overstepping the Proper Bounds in Supplication

One of the important guidelines governing supplication is that a Muslim must be exceedingly careful not to overstep its proper bounds. This means going beyond the limits to which one ought to confine oneself. Allah Most High says: “Call upon your Lord humbly and privately. Indeed, He does not love those who transgress.”1

In this noble verse, He—blessed and exalted is He—directed His servants to call upon Him, for therein lies the well-being of their religion, worldly lives, and Hereafter. Then, in the same context, He forbade them to transgress by declaring that He does not love transgressors. This shows that transgression is abhorrent to Him and incurs His wrath, and that He does not love those who commit it. What good can anyone whom Allah does not love attain, and what bounty can he hope for?

Although the prohibition against transgression in this verse is general and encompasses every form of transgression, its placement immediately after the command to supplicate specifically indicates that overstepping the proper bounds in supplication is forbidden and warns against it. It also makes clear that Allah neither loves supplication containing transgression from His servants nor approves it for them. Hence, Ibn Abbās—may Allah be pleased with them both—reportedly said regarding the words of Allah Most High, “Indeed, He does not love those who transgress”: “Whether in supplication or otherwise.”2

Regarding the meaning of the verse, Qatāda said: “Know that some supplications contain transgression. Therefore, avoid aggression and transgression as far as you are able. There is no might nor power except with Allah.”