for He followed the verse concerning supplication with His words:

“So let them respond to Me and believe in Me.”

Obedience and worship serve the servant’s true welfare, bringing him happiness and salvation. As for answering his supplication and granting his request, this may benefit him or harm him. He Most High says:

“Man prays for evil as he prays for good, and man is ever hasty.”

He Most High also says:

“If Allah were to hasten evil for people as they seek to hasten good, their appointed term would have come to an end.”

He Most High says of the polytheists:

“And when they said, ‘O Allah, if this is indeed the truth from You, then rain down stones upon us from heaven, or bring us a painful punishment.’”

He also says:

“If you sought a judgment, judgment has now come to you. But if you desist, that will be better for you.”

And He says:

“Call upon your Lord humbly and secretly. Indeed, He does not love those who transgress.”

And He says:

“Relate to them the story of the one to whom We gave Our signs, but he cast them off. Satan then pursued him, and he became one of those who went astray.”

“Had We willed, We would have raised him through them, but he clung to the earth and followed his desires”—to the end of the verse.

And He says:

“If anyone disputes with you concerning him after the knowledge that has come to you, say, ‘Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves; then let us pray earnestly and invoke Allah’s curse upon the liars.’”

When the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, entered upon Jābir’s household, he said:

“Do not invoke anything but good upon yourselves, for the angels say ‘Āmīn’ to what you say.”