70 — Transgression in Supplication
Among the matters to which a Muslim should pay attention regarding supplication is the need to be extremely wary of transgressing its bounds. When Allah, Glorious and Exalted, commanded His servants in the verse from Surah al-A'rāf to supplicate to Him humbly and privately, He also stated that He does not love transgressors. Allah Most High says: “Call upon your Lord in humility and privately. Indeed, He does not love transgressors.” 1 Although the warning against transgression in this noble verse is expressed in general terms and encompasses every form of transgression, it applies even more particularly to transgression in supplication, since it occurs in the context of the command to supplicate and the mention of its conditions and proper etiquette.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “Regarding the words of Allah Most High, ‘Indeed, He does not love transgressors,’ it has been said that this means He does not love those who transgress the bounds in supplication, such as one who asks for things unfitting for him, including the stations of the prophets and the like. Abu Dawud narrated in his Sunan from Abdullah ibn Mughaffal that he heard his son say, ‘O Allah, I ask You for the white palace on the right-hand side of Paradise when I enter it.’ He said, ‘My son, ask Allah for Paradise and seek refuge with Him from the Fire, for I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say: “There will be people in this nation who transgress the bounds in purification and supplication.”’” 2.
He then said, may Allah have mercy on him: “Although such transgression is intended by the verse, it is only one of the things encompassed by its meaning.