When Prayers Are Answered: Times and Places of Acceptance
When a believer makes supplication with proper manner and etiquette, their prayer is accepted, and they see the benefit in this world and the Hereafter. In this article, we provide information about the importance of supplication, the times to be mindful of for acceptance, and the places that facilitate it.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER IN THE SIGHT OF ALLAH
The Exalted Allah states in verses that He will answer prayers: “My servants ask you about Me, and I respond to those who ask; so they should respond [to Me] and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided.” (Al-Baqarah, 2/186). Furthermore, Allah relieves the distress of one in hardship: (An-Naml, 27/62). These verses emphasize that Allah responds to supplications and is near. Other verses such as “Indeed, My Lord is Hearing and Near.” (Ibrahim, 14/39) also state that Allah is “near,” “hears the prayers,” and “accepts the prayers.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also stated in a hadith: “Allah is Shy and Generous. When a person raises his two hands to Him in supplication, He feels shy about turning those two hands away empty” (Tirmidhi, Du’aawat, 118; Ibn Hibban, Adhiya’, No: 876; Hakim, Du’aawat, I, 497), indicating that prayers will be accepted.
The Story of Abu Umama and an Example of Supplication
Abu Umama, a companion from Medina, appeared sorrowful in the mosque, so the Prophet (peace be upon him) approached him and asked about the cause of his sadness. Upon Abu Umama’s response, the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught him this supplication and advised him to recite it morning and evening: “O Allah! I seek refuge in You from grief and sorrow, from helplessness and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, from being overwhelmed by debt and from the oppression of people.” Abu Umama recited this supplication and his sadness and debts were removed. (Abu Dawud, Salat, 367)
This story emphasizes that it is not enough to just make supplication; one must also work and strive. Supplication is a beginning, while action is the result.
Factors Affecting the Acceptance of Prayer
Since prayer is an act of worship and remembrance (dhikr), the one who supplicates has certainly obeyed, complied with, and earned reward according to divine command. The immediate fulfillment of worldly requests does not mean that the supplication has not been accepted; the rewards for prayers may have been reserved for the Hereafter.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) informed that Allah will either grant what is asked for immediately in this world, or postpone it to the Hereafter, or remove some evil, when any person supplicates to Allah: “There is no one who supplicates to Allah with a supplication except that He answers it; unless he hastens [and asks] something that causes its delay, or it is reserved for him in the Hereafter, or Allah averts from him an evil.” (Tirmidhi, Du’aawat, 13; Muslim, Dua, 92). Haste can delay the acceptance of a prayer.
Examples of Prayers That Were Answered
- The Prayer of Prophet Imran: His supplication for Maryam, “I dedicate her and her descendants to Your protection from the evil of the outcast Satan,” was accepted, and the Exalted Allah nurtured her beautifully. (Al-Imran, 3/36-37)
- The Prayer of Prophet Ayub: His request for healing from his illness was accepted, and he found relief from it. (Anbiya, 21/83-84)
- The Prayer of Prophet Yunus: His supplication from within the belly of the whale, repenting and turning to Allah, was accepted. (Anbiya, 21/87-88)
- The Prayer of Prophet Zakariyya: Upon his request for a child, he was blessed with Yahya. (Anbiya, 21/89-90)
- The Prayer of Prophet Sulaiman: His request for dominion was accepted, and he established a great empire. (Saad, 38/35)
Times When Prayers Are Answered
- The Prayer of the Fasting Person at Iftar: The prayer of a fasting person while breaking their fast is not rejected.
- The Prayer of a Just Ruler: The prayers of just rulers are accepted.
- The Prayer of the Oppressed: The supplications of those who have been oppressed rise to the heavens and are accepted.
- Prayers Made on Friday and Friday Night: Prayers made on Friday and Friday night are virtuous.
- Prayers Made on Arafah Day: Prayers made on Arafah Day are particularly important.
- Prayers Made Late at Night: Especially in the last third of the night, prayers are accepted.
- Prayers Made Between Adhan and Iqamah: Prayers made between the call to prayer (Adhan) and the standing for prayer (Iqamah) are accepted.
- Prayers Made in Prostration: Supplications made in prostration are a way of drawing closer to Allah and are accepted.
Places Where Prayers Are Answered
Prayer can be performed anywhere, but some places facilitate the acceptance of supplication: sacred places such as mosques, the Ka’bah, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.
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