Yet you grow impatient. Be patient and persist in calling upon Allah, for it may be that He delays the response so that you will multiply your supplications, earn more good deeds, come to know your own limits, and realize how truly dependent you are upon Allah. That, in itself, is a blessing. Therefore, beware of haste; rather, plead with Allah continually. Allah loves those who persist and are earnest in their prayers, for the one who prays is appealing to the One to whom all matters ultimately return, the One in whose hand lies the dominion of everything.

Whether you are in formal prayer or alone in private, ask Allah for whatever you wish. Even while you stand in prayer, beseech Him for anything you desire, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “When you are in prostration, increase your supplications,” and when he mentioned the tashahhud he added, “Then let him choose whatever prayers he wishes.”

A human being has no guardian but Allah, so let him turn to Him in every great and small affair. Indeed, the hadith says: “Let each of you ask his Lord for all of his needs, even for the strap of his sandal if it breaks.” A mere sandal-thong—something so slight—yet ask Allah for it, for asking is worship and a refuge in Allah the Mighty—