Factors That May Prevent the Acceptance of Dua: Understanding the Obstacles

Why Your Dua May Not Be Accepted: Common Mistakes to Avoid

FACTORS THAT MAY PREVENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF DU’A

Ibn al-Qayyim (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) said: “Du’a and the seeking of protection of ALLĀH are like weapons, but the sharpness of a weapon is not sufficient for it to cause effect, for the person that handles it also plays a role. So whenever the weapon is a perfect one, having no blemish in it, and the forearm is strong, and there are no preventing factors, then it will cause an effect on the enemy. But if any of these three factors are missing, then the effect will also be lessened.” {Disease and the cure || Page 31}

While we may be aware of the factors that aid the acceptance of dua, many are unaware of the factors that can hinder its acceptance. Below are some of the factors that may prevent an individual’s du’a from being answered:

ASSOCIATING PARTNERS WITH ALLĀH

The Prophet ﷺ said: “ALLĀH Almighty said: Verily, I am free of the idolatry of any partners. Whoever performs a deed in which he associates another with ME, I will abandon him to his partner.” {Muslim #2985}

ALLĀH said: “Those you invoke besides HIM do not possess even the skin of a date stone. If you invoke them, they do not hear your supplication; and if they heard, they would not respond to you.” {Fātir: 13-14}

CONTRADICTING THE SUNNAH

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever performs a deed that is not in accordance with our matter (i.e, Islam), it will be rejected.” {Muslim #1718}

UNCERTAINTY

ALLĀH said: “And your Lord says, Call upon ME; I will respond to you. {Ghāfir: 60}

The Prophet ﷺ said: “When you ask from ALLĀH Almighty, O people, then ask HIM while you are convinced HE will answer.” {Musnad Ahmad #6655}

UNMINDFULNESS

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Know that ALLĀH will not answer the supplication of a heart that is unmindful and distracted.” {Tirmidhi #3479}

HASTENING WHILE MAKING DU’A

Fadalah ibn ‘Ubayd (may ALLĀH be pleased with him) said: Whilst the Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ was sitting, a man came in and prayed and said, “O ALLĀH, forgive me and have mercy on me.” The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ said, “You have been too hasty, O worshipper. When you have prayed and are sitting, praise ALLĀH as HE deserves to be praised, and send blessings upon me, then call upon HIM.” {Tirmidhi #3476}

HASTENING IN SEEKING RESPONSE

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Every one of you will have his supplications answered, as long as he is not hasty.”

It was said, “What does being hasty mean?” He ﷺ said: “When he says, ‘I made du’a and I made du’a, and I have not seen any response,’ and he gets frustrated and stops making du’a.” {al-Bukhari #6340; Muslim #2735}

MAKING THE DU’A CONDITIONAL 

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Let not any one of you say, O ALLĀH, forgive me if YOU will, O ALLĀH, have mercy on me if YOU will. Let him be resolute in the matter, whilst knowing that no one can compel ALLĀH to do anything.” {Bukhari #6339}

CONSUMING HARAM

The Prophet ﷺ mentioned a man who had some of the characteristics which help Du’a to be answered, but he wasn’t responded to because, as the Prophet mentioned: “His food is haram, his drink is haram, all his nourishment is haram, so how can his Du`a be accepted.” {Muslim #1015}

We ask ALLĀH to aid us in doing that which brings about His Pleasure and accept our du’a. Aamin.