I quote part of a Hadith narrated on the
authority of Abu Huraira (RA) found in Sahih Muslim,
" ... Then he [Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)] mentioned
a man who after a long journey is dishevelled and dust-coloured. [The man]
stretches his hands out toward the sky and says, 'O Lord, O Lord', while
his food is unlawful, his drink his unlawful, his clothing unlawful and
his nourishment is unlawful. How is he to be answered [in such a
state]?" This part of the Hadith carries a very moving example about
how this man is a perfect candidate for his supplication to be answered,
but is denied due to his unlawfulness.
For instance in Sahih Bukhari we read,
"Three supplications are responded to: the supplication of the
oppressed, the supplication of the traveller and the supplication of the
father for his child." So despite travelling in a strange land away
from his family, facing hardships, and naturally having a tender heart,
relying solely on Almighty Allah, his supplication is rejected according
to the Hadith that has been mentioned earlier.
Furthermore his physical appearance being
"dishevelled and dust-coloured" is also a cause for
supplications to be accepted as we read in Sahih Muslim, "Many a
person with dishevelled hair is turned from the doors [whereas Almighty
God holds him in such high esteem] that if he were to swear by Almighty
Allah, Allah would fulfil that for him." But once again The
All-Hearing rejects his supplication.
Then we read about the same man as he
"stretches his hands out toward the sky" but his call is not
answered. How about the
saying of the holy Prophet recorded by Ahmed, "Your Lord is
munificent and generous, and is ashamed to turn away empty the hands of
His servant when he raises them to Him."
And then the man cries out, "O Lord, O
Lord" depending solely on his Creator, admitting that Almighty Allah
is the Sustainer, beseeching Him in dire need, yet once again his
supplication is rejected.
Truly many Muslims in these trying times
have followed suit and hoarded wealth and property through forbidden and
unlawful means. They make their prayers and spend long hours supplicating,
crying out, "O Lord, O Lord", but are not answered.
Let us quickly analyse ourselves dear brothers and sisters: Are we
acquiring wealth through unlawful means?
If one's life is filled with forbidden
aspects, how does he expect Almighty God to respond to his prayers? The
person himself does not respond to Allah's teachings and yet he expects
Almighty Allah to respond to his calls.
This Hadith makes it clear that you and me must respond to Almighty
Allah's call and then He will certainly respond to us.
Supplication is the believer's weapon
against Satan so let us guard our livelihoods. One of the salaf stated,
"Do not be surprised that the response is slow in coming as you have
blocked its road due to your sins." May Almighty Allah protect us and
have Mercy on our souls.