O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. 2:153
The Arrow of Tahajjud
Imam al-Shafi’i said, “The dua made at the time of Tahajjud is like an arrow which does not miss its target.” This is indeed true. There are stories of people who achieved great accomplishments through their Tahajjud dua.
It is by Allah’s mercy that He comes to the lowest heaven in the last third of the night, as mentioned in the hadith:
“Allah says to His servants, ‘Who is calling upon Me that I may answer him? Who is asking from Me that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness that I may forgive him?’” Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1145
Allah says about the people who wake up in Tahajjud to seek forgiveness for their sins:
“and in the hours before dawn they used to pray for forgiveness.” 51:18
Thus when a true believer pleases Allah by waking up at a time when the doors of mercy and blessings are open, when everyone else is asleep, and earnestly asks for what he desires, including wishes for the worldly life, Allah grants his wishes by giving what is good for His servant.
How Duas Are Answered
It is important to note that for a believer, every dua is answered and none are rejected by the Almighty. The Prophet beautifully explained:
“No Muslim makes supplication – unless he is someone who has cut off his relatives – but that he is given one of three things: either his supplication is answered quickly, or it is stored up for him in the Next World, or an evil equal to it is averted from him.” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 710
The Prophet also said:
“Indeed, Allah, is Hayy, Generous; when a man raises his hands to Him (to make dua), He feels too shy to return them to him empty and rejected.” Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī 3556
The Attributes of Our Rabb
Allah is our Rabb, the one provider who takes care of all His creations. We are surrounded by His innumerable blessings. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“If you count the bounties of Allah, you cannot count them all. Surely, Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.” 16:18
He is Al-Razzaq who feeds all creatures, Ar-Rahmaan who is the Most Merciful, and Al-Qadeer the Most Powerful. He is Al-Malik, the King who is Merciful to everyone because He is Ar-Raheem. Allah is defined by His attributes. Allah is Al-Wahhab, who does not like when His servants do not make dua to Him. Allah says:
“Call Me, I will respond to you.” 40:60
His decree and His decisions have only khayr (blessings) for us. Even if it may seem that someone is tested too much, there is still khayr for him in the akhirah.
The Significance of Conviction and Patience
That is why for a believer, it is important to remember that one must not make haste when making dua and asking for something. The Prophet said:
“One of you is granted an answer (to his supplication) provided that he does not say: ‘I prayed but I was not granted an answer.’” Sunan Abū Dāwūd 1484.
It is also important to ask with conviction, with a firm belief that Allah is capable of granting any wish, and nothing is impossible for Him.
Examples from the Prophets
We have the example of Prophet Ibrahim whose tawakkul (trust in Allah) is mentioned in the Qur’an:
“Surely, my Lord is the One who listens to the prayer.” 14:39
The supplication of Ibrahim was answered, and he was blessed with a son, and his entire progeny was blessed with khayr.
Another example is of Musa who made a dua when leaving his homeland:
“My Lord indeed I am in need of whatever good you send down to me.” 28:24
Allah, the Al-Mujeeb, the Responsive, answered his dua and Musa found a new homeland, a place to live, a livelihood, and a spouse. Allah provides us from sources we cannot even imagine. He blesses us much more than we ask for:
“and (Allah) provides him (with what he needs) from where he does not even imagine.” 65:3
