Who’s Dua is Always Accepted? | Learn from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The Importance of Dua and Who’s Prayers are Always Accepted

Dua (supplication) is the most important part of a believer’s life. A believer remains connected to it every moment, constantly presenting all of life’s issues before their Creator and Lord. The Creator is pleased with the cries of His servants and grants them whatever they ask for. However, today, due to weak faith and a lack of trust, many people have lost their confidence in the importance and acceptance of Dua. People do make Dua, but they complain about its non-acceptance and, to strengthen their trust in their prayers, they resort to intermediaries other than Allah. It is unclear why people no longer see the benefit of calling upon Allah directly, but they feel satisfied praying at shrines and rely on the intercession of the deceased to feel assured of their Dua being accepted.

From the beginning of creation, Allah’s creatures have always called upon Him. The great purpose of the Prophets’ missions was to call people to invoke one God. The Prophets themselves called upon Allah and taught their communities to do the same. The Qur’an mentions several Prophets who called upon their Lord, and every believer, indeed every true friend of Allah, has always called upon Him.

Dua is an act of pure worship. The leader of all Prophets, the noblest of human beings, and the most honored of all saints, our Imam and the greatest of us all, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, said:
الدُّعاءَ هوَ العِبادَةُ، ثمَّ قرأَ: وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ (صحيح الترمذي:3372)
Translation: Dua is worship. Then he recited the verse: “And your Lord says: ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell in humiliation.'” (Surah Ghafir, 40:60).

The level of faith among Muslims today is so diminished that they do not hesitate to trust in the words of fake mystics and self-proclaimed saints, yet they lack trust in Allah’s words and in the command of the greatest being in the universe. In the hadith above, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explained that Dua is worship and quoted the Qur’anic verse that commands us to call upon Allah alone. Allah also added that those who call upon others besides Allah will end up in Hell in disgrace.

Allah says elsewhere in the Qur’an:
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ (البقرۃ:186)
Translation: And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed, I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided.

Allah has made this message so clear that even the ignorant should understand. Allah is near, and a person always calls upon someone close to them. By providing this analogy, Allah urges His servants to call upon Him alone, for He hears every call. Allah also mentions that those who call upon anyone besides Him neither have true faith in their Lord nor obey Him.

Allah hears the supplications of His servants from all places and at all times, but His kindness and mercy are so great that He descends every night to the lowest heaven at the last third of the night to listen to the pleas of His servants:
يَتَنَزَّلُ رَبُّنا تَبارَكَ وتَعالَى كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ إلى السَّماءِ الدُّنْيا، حِينَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرُ، يقولُ: مَن يَدْعُونِي فأسْتَجِيبَ له، مَن يَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيَهُ، مَن يَسْتَغْفِرُنِي فأغْفِرَ له. (صحيح البخاري:6321)
Translation: Our Lord, Blessed and Exalted, descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, saying: “Who is calling upon Me, that I may answer him? Who is asking Me, that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness, that I may forgive him?”

There are many verses and hadiths related to Dua, but here I intend to mention those whose prayers are always accepted. The above statements serve as a prelude so that if anyone feels their prayers are not accepted, they may examine the reasons and correct themselves.

There are three types of people whose Dua is never rejected. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
ثلاثُ دعَواتٍ مستجاباتٌ دعوةُ المظلومِ ودعوةُ المسافرِ ودعوةُ الوالدِ على ولدِهِ (صحيح الترمذي:3448)
Translation: Three types of prayers are always accepted: the prayer of the oppressed, the prayer of the traveler, and the prayer of a parent for their child.

The oppressor is someone who is either unafraid of Allah or has forgotten the concept of the Creator. One who truly believes in the Creator can never oppress others because Allah, the Creator of the universe, is also the just Judge. In His court, justice is always upheld. If justice were absent in His court, tyrants like Pharaoh would have left no one alive. Human courts are often deceiving, but true justice is in Allah’s court. Whenever someone oppresses another and the oppressed calls upon Allah against the oppressor, no one in the world can protect the oppressor from Allah’s justice. When Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sent Mu’adh ibn Jabal to Yemen as a governor, he instructed him:
اتَّقِ دَعْوَةَ المَظْلُومِ، فإنَّهَا ليسَ بيْنَهَا وبيْنَ اللَّهِ حِجَابٌ. (صحيح البخاري:2448)
Translation: Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.

Even if the oppressed person is a disbeliever, their prayer will not be rejected. The Prophet ﷺ said:
دعوةُ المظلومِ مُستجابةٌ، وإن كان فاجرًا ففُجورُه على نفسِه (صحيح الترغيب:2229)
Translation: The supplication of the oppressed is accepted, even if they are a sinner. Their sin will fall upon themselves.

Oppression is such a grievous crime in Allah’s sight that its punishment is swift in this world and awaits in the Hereafter. The Prophet ﷺ said:
ما من ذنبٌ أجدرُ أن يُعجِّلَ اللهُ لصاحبِه العقوبةَ في الدنيا مع ما يدَّخِرُ له في الآخرةِ من البغيِ وقطيعةِ الرحمِ (صحيح ابن ماجه:3413)
Translation: There is no sin more deserving of swift punishment in this world, along with what is reserved for it in the Hereafter, than oppression and severing ties of kinship.

Like the oppressed, the prayer of the traveler and a father’s prayer for his child is also never rejected. However, it is important to note that if someone wrongs others, their prayers will be ineffective; if a person travels with wrong intentions, their prayers will not be accepted; and if a father is not righteous, his prayers for his child may not be effective.

Besides these three, there is mention in the hadith of the prayer of righteous children for their parents being accepted. Prophet ﷺ said:
إِذَا مَاتَ الإنْسَانُ انْقَطَعَ عنْه عَمَلُهُ إِلَّا مِن ثَلَاثَةٍ: إِلَّا مِن صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ، أَوْ عِلْمٍ يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ، أَوْ وَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُو له. (صحيح مسلم:1631)
Translation: When a person dies, their deeds are cut off except for three things: continuous charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for them.

In a good narration from Ibn Majah, the Prophet ﷺ said:
إنَّ الرَّجلَ لتُرفَعُ درجتُه في الجنةِ فيقولُ : أنَّى هذا ؟ فيقالُ : باستغفارِ ولدِك لكَ (صحيح ابن ماجه:3/214)
Translation: A man’s rank in Paradise is elevated, and he says: “How has my rank been raised?” It is said to him: “By the forgiveness and prayers of your children for you.”

A father has a lifelong debt to his child, especially from childhood to adulthood. While no reward for their sacrifices and kindness can be fully given in this world, parents should make abundant Dua for their children, recognizing their sacrifices and honoring their kindness.

There is a hadith that mentions the acceptance of prayers from three types of people: the warrior in Allah’s cause, the pilgrim, and the one who performs Umrah. The Prophet ﷺ said:
الغازي في سبيلِ اللَّهِ، والحاجُّ والمعتمِرُ، وفْدُ اللَّهِ، دعاهُم، فأجابوهُ، وسألوهُ، فأعطاهُم (صحيح ابن ماجه:2357)
Translation: The one who goes out in Allah’s cause, the pilgrim, and the one performing Umrah are the guests of Allah. When Allah calls them, they respond, and when they ask, Allah grants their requests.

Those who are blessed with the opportunity to participate in Jihad, Hajj, or Umrah should perform their acts of worship with sincerity and call upon Allah abundantly. Allah will fulfill their needs.

Making dua behind the back of your brothers is also a cause for the acceptance of that prayer, and it is beneficial for the one making the dua as well. The Prophet ﷺ said:

دَعْوَةُ المَرْءِ المُسْلِمِ لأَخِيهِ بظَهْرِ الغَيْبِ مُسْتَجَابَةٌ، عِنْدَ رَأْسِهِ مَلَكٌ مُوَكَّلٌ كُلَّما دَعَا لأَخِيهِ بخَيْرٍ، قالَ المَلَكُ المُوَكَّلُ بهِ: آمِينَ وَلَكَ بمِثْلٍ(صحيح مسلم:2733)

Translation: The dua of a Muslim for his brother in his absence is accepted. There is an angel assigned to him who, whenever he prays for his brother’s good, says: “Ameen, and may you receive the same.”

Allah also accepts the dua of the one who repents; indeed, the one who repents is beloved and favored by Allah. The divine command is:

وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَعْفُو عَنِ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ (الشوري:25)

Translation: He it is who accepts the repentance of His servants and forgives their sins, and He knows what you do.

The Prophet ﷺ also said:

إنَّ عَبْدًا أصابَ ذَنْبًا – ورُبَّما قالَ أذْنَبَ ذَنْبًا – فقالَ: رَبِّ أذْنَبْتُ – ورُبَّما قالَ: أصَبْتُ – فاغْفِرْ لِي، فقالَ رَبُّهُ: أعَلِمَ عَبْدِي أنَّ له رَبًّا يَغْفِرُ الذَّنْبَ ويَأْخُذُ بهِ؟ غَفَرْتُ لِعَبْدِي(صحيح البخاري:7507)

Translation: A servant commits a sin and says: “My Lord, I have sinned—perhaps he said: I have committed a sin—so forgive me.” Allah says: “Does My servant not know that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them?” So I have forgiven My servant.

This hadith also mentions that the servant may sin repeatedly, yet continually repent, and Allah keeps forgiving him.

Indeed, Allah sometimes accepts the prayer even of the sinful, and He may accept the prayer of one who associates partners with Him. This is due to Allah’s mercy. It is possible for the sinner to repent and seek forgiveness. Allah mentions the dua of the polytheists:

وَإِذَا مَسَّكُمُ الضُّرُّ فِي الْبَحْرِ ضَلَّ مَن تَدْعُونَ إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ ۖ فَلَمَّا نَجَّاكُمْ إِلَى الْبَرِّ أَعْرَضْتُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ الْإِنسَانُ كَفُورًا (الاسراء:67)

Translation: And when distress touches you at sea, those you call upon disappear, and only He remains—Allah. Then, when He brings you to the land, you turn away, and mankind is ever ungrateful.

Even the dua of Shaytan was accepted, as Allah says:

قَالَ أَنظِرْنِي إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ، قَالَ إِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنظَرِينَ (الاعراف:14-15)

Translation: [Shaytan] said: “My Lord, give me respite until the Day they are resurrected.” Allah said: “Indeed, you are of those who have respite.”

Dua is primarily accepted for the righteous and pious servants, but if the prayer of a sinful person is accepted, it does not mean that sin has no effect on the dua. Sin does affect the dua, and the impact of unlawful earnings is especially severe. As mentioned in Sahih Muslim:

ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ الرَّجُلَ يُطِيلُ السَّفَرَ أشْعَثَ أغْبَرَ، يَمُدُّ يَدَيْهِ إلى السَّماءِ، يا رَبِّ، يا رَبِّ، ومَطْعَمُهُ حَرامٌ، ومَشْرَبُهُ حَرامٌ، ومَلْبَسُهُ حَرامٌ، وغُذِيَ بالحَرامِ، فأنَّى يُسْتَجابُ لذلكَ؟(صحيح مسلم:1015)

Translation: Then he mentioned a man who travels long distances, his hair and clothes dusty and disheveled. He raises his hands to the sky and says, “O Lord, O Lord,” but his food is from unlawful sources, his drink is unlawful, his clothing is unlawful, and he was nourished by unlawful means. How, then, can his prayer be accepted?

If occasionally a prayer at a shrine or invoking someone other than Allah seems to be answered, or if a prayer through the intercession of saints is accepted, Muslims should not believe that this is the correct way of making dua or that such prayers are more quickly accepted. Absolutely not. Firstly, our belief should be that the only giver is Allah, regardless of where or to whom the prayer is directed. Secondly, Allah tests His servants in many ways, giving them opportunities to repent and turn away from sin. If a Muslim believes that the one in the grave also gives, then it would logically mean that the belief of Hindus, who pray to stones, would also be correct, as sometimes their wishes are fulfilled. But a simple Muslim would say that stones cannot have any benefit or harm. Similarly, we should also believe that those in the grave have no power over benefit or harm. This is the teaching of the Qur’an:

وَلَا تَدْعُ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُكَ وَلَا يَضُرُّكَ ۖ فَإِن فَعَلْتَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذًا مِّنَ الظَّالِمِينَ (یونس:106)

Translation: And do not call upon that which cannot benefit you or harm you besides Allah. If you do so, then you will be among the wrongdoers.

I wish to remind my fellow believers to keep praying to Allah, as He accepts the prayers of every righteous servant. Have faith in the acceptance of your prayers. Did you not read the divine words at the beginning of this article, which state that Allah listens to every supplication, provided the one calling upon Him truly believes in Him and follows His commands? Allah values dua more than anything else, as the Prophet ﷺ said:

ليسَ شيءٌ أَكْرَمَ على اللَّهِ تعالى منَ الدُّعاءِ(صحيح الترمذي:3370)

Translation: Nothing is more honorable to Allah than prayer.

For this reason, Allah never disappoints those who pray. The Prophet ﷺ said:

إنَّ اللَّهَ حيِىٌّ كريمٌ يستحي إذا رفعَ الرَّجلُ إليْهِ يديْهِ أن يردَّهما صفرًا خائبتينِ(صحيح الترمذي:3556)

Translation: Allah is “Hayy” (Alive) and “Kareem” (Generous). He feels shy when a person raises his hands to Him and does not return them empty-handed, unsuccessful, and forlorn.

It is important to understand that the forms of accepting dua may vary. The Prophet ﷺ said:

ما من مسلمٍ يدعو بدعوةٍ ليس فيها إثمٌ ، ولا قطيعةُ رَحِمٍ ؛ إلا أعطاه بها إحدى ثلاثَ : إما أن يُعجِّلَ له دعوتَه ، وإما أن يدَّخِرَها له في الآخرةِ ، وإما أن يَصرِف عنه من السُّوءِ مثلَها . قالوا : إذًا نُكثِرُ . قال : اللهُ أكثرُ .(صحيح الترغيب:1633)

Translation: Whenever a Muslim makes a dua that does not involve sin or severing family ties, Allah grants one of three things: either He hastens the acceptance of the dua, or He reserves it for him in the Hereafter, or He removes an evil from him equivalent to it. The companions asked: “Then we should make a lot of dua.” The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Allah gives even more.”

Thus, a dua never goes unanswered. Sometimes it is accepted immediately, sometimes its acceptance is delayed, sometimes it is stored for the Hereafter, and sometimes it is exchanged for the prevention of harm.

In conclusion, dua is an act of worship. Therefore, make your supplications with humility and sincerity, asking only your Creator, and do not associate anyone with Him in your prayers. When praying, do not use intermediaries, whether living or deceased, but instead call upon Allah using His beautiful names and your righteous deeds as intercession. Avoid sin, truly believe in Allah, follow His commands, make dua along with repentance, stay away from unlawful earnings, respect others’ rights, refrain from oppression, and pray at the best times. If these conditions are met, surely the Lord of the worlds will accept our dua.