reluctance [that is, it balked and stopped]. He said to it, ‘Move on! May Allah curse you!’ The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said, ‘Who is this man cursing his camel?’ He replied, ‘I am, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said, ‘Dismount from it. Do not accompany us with a camel that has been cursed. Do not supplicate against yourselves, your children, or your wealth, lest your supplication coincide with a time when Allah is asked to grant something and He answers you.’”1.

This hadith indicates that such a supplication may indeed be answered, for the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Lest your supplication coincide with a time when Allah is asked to grant something and He answers you.” It is also authentically established that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Three supplications are answered: the supplication of the wronged, the supplication of the traveler, and a parent’s supplication against his child.” It was related by Abū Dāwūd, al-Tirmidhī, and others with an authentic chain of transmission.2.

A Muslim should therefore accustom himself to supplicating for goodness, increase, blessing, righteousness, and the like for himself, his children, and his wealth. He should restrain himself—especially when angry—from supplicating for himself, his children, or his wealth to suffer destruction, evil, or ruin. Such a supplication may be answered, leaving him full of regret and sorrow, even though he himself made and sought it. We earnestly hope that Allah will guide us all to the straight path and grant us success in every good thing that He loves and is pleased with, in this world and the Hereafter.