Determination in Supplicating to Allah
Sahih al-Bukhari 6338
Narrated Anas: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “When anyone of you appeal to Allah for something, he should ask with determination and should not say, ‘O Allah, if You wish, give me.’, for nobody can force Allah to do something against His Will.
- According to this hadith, when a person asks Allah for something, they should do so with determination and confidence, not with hesitation or doubt. They should ask Allah directly and not use vague or conditional language, such as saying, “O Allah, if You wish, give me.” This is because Allah is not bound by anyone’s wishes or desires and cannot be compelled to do something against His will. Therefore, a believer should ask Allah for what they want, but they should also be humble and accept Allah’s decree, whether they receive what they asked for or not. The hadith emphasizes the importance of sincerity, faith, and trust in Allah in making supplications, and it teaches us to approach Allah with reverence, respect, and humility.
The hadith emphasizes making du’a (supplication) with determination and confidence, without hesitation. This concept is supported by several verses in the Qur’an that encourage believers to call upon Allah with certainty and sincerity.
1. Ask Allah with Confidence and Certainty
📖Surah Ghafir (40:60)
“And your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’ Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell in humiliation.”
🔹 This verse confirms that Allah encourages direct supplication and promises to respond, reinforcing the hadith’s message of asking with conviction.
2. Allah Grants or Withholds as He Wills
📖Surah Al-Baqarah (2:186)
“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.”
🔹 This verse highlights Allah’s nearness and responsiveness but also implies that believers should make du’a sincerely and trust Allah’s wisdom in answering it.
3. Do Not Be Hesitant in Asking
📖Surah Maryam (19:4-5)
“He (Zakariya) said, ‘My Lord, my bones have weakened, and my head has filled with white hair, yet I have never been unblessed in my supplication to You, my Lord.’”
🔹 Prophet Zakariya (AS) asked Allah with full confidence, despite his old age. He did not say, “If You wish,” but rather made a direct plea, showing his strong faith in Allah’s power
Qur’anic Context: “Call Upon Me, I Will Respond”
📖Surah Ghafir (40:60)
“And your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’ Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell in humiliation.”
This verse is often cited as proof that Allah answers prayers, but many wonder: How does Allah respond when someone suffers injustice, such as being raped or killed? What if a person prays for something and does not receive it?
Allah Responds in Different Ways
Allah’s response is not always immediate or in the way we expect. According to Islam, du’a (supplication) is answered in three ways:
📖Musnad Ahmad 11133
“There is no Muslim who supplicates to Allah with a du’a in which there is no sin or cutting of family ties, but Allah will grant him one of three things: either He will hasten for him what he asked for, or He will store it for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert from him an equivalent amount of evil.”
🔹 This means that if a person asks for something and does not receive it, the prayer is not wasted—it is either answered in this world, stored for the Hereafter, or used to protect them from harm.
How Destiny (Qadr) Relates to Our Du’a
This hadith teaches that when making du’a (supplication), a believer should ask Allah with full confidence and certainty. However, a common question arises: What if I ask to become a doctor, but it is not written in my destiny? Will it never happen?
-
-
Destiny (Qadr) Includes Both Fixed and Changeable Aspects
- Everything is ultimately within Allah’s knowledge and decree, but certain aspects of destiny can change based on du’a, effort, and Allah’s mercy.
- Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:39):
“Allah eliminates what He wills or confirms, and with Him is the Mother of the Book (Lauh al-Mahfuz).” - This verse indicates that some aspects of fate are changeable, meaning if a person sincerely prays, Allah may grant what they ask for, even if it wasn’t originally part of their decree.
-
-
Du’a Can Change Qadr (Destiny) Within Allah’s Will
- The Prophet (ﷺ) said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2139
“Nothing increases one’s lifespan except righteousness, and nothing repels the Divine Decree except du’a.” - This hadith confirms that while certain things are decreed, supplication can alter some aspects of destiny.
- The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
-
Effort and Action Are Also Required
- Du’a alone is not enough; effort is also necessary. A person who wants to be a doctor must study and work hard while praying to Allah for success.
- Surah An-Najm (53:39):
“And that man will only have what he strives for.” - This means that hard work, combined with du’a, can lead to success, even if something initially seemed unlikely in one’s destiny.
What If Someone Asks for Something and Does Not Receive It?
There are cases where a person asks for something but does not see the result in their lifetime. This does not mean Allah ignored the prayer; rather:
- It may not be good for them: 📖 Surah Al-Baqarah (2:216) – “But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. Allah knows, while you do not know.”
- It may be delayed for a better time: 📖 Surah Al-Kahf (18:68) – “And how can you be patient over that which you do not comprehend?” It may be given in the Hereafter: 📖 Surah Ash-Shura (42:36) – “Whatever you have will end, but what Allah has is everlasting.”
What About Injustice, Like Rape or Murder?
Allah Did Not Allow Rape or Murder—He Commands Justice
📖Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:45)
“And We ordained for them therein: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds equal retaliation. But if anyone remits it as charity, it is an expiation for him.”
🔹 This verse establishes the principle of justice—murder and serious harm must be punished fairly. However, if the victim or their family forgives, that is their choice.
📖Surah Al-Isra (17:33)
“And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly, We have given his heir authority (for justice), but let him not exceed limits in taking life. Indeed, he has been helped.”
🔹 Murder is strictly forbidden, and Allah grants justice to the victim’s family.
📖Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:33) (Applicable to rapists in Islamic law)
“Indeed, the punishment for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and spread corruption on Earth is death, crucifixion, cutting off their hands and feet on opposite sides, or exile from the land.”
🔹 Islamic scholars classify rape as “corruption on Earth”, making the punishment the death penalty based on Sunan Abu Dawood 4366/Tirmidhi 1454 where the Prophet ﷺ ordered the execution of a rapist.
📖Sunan Abu Dawood 4366
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said regarding a man who raped a woman: ‘Stone him to death.'”
🔹 Islam does not allow rape—it is a crime that carries the harshest punishment.
Related Article: Free Will and Predestination
Justice in Islam Applies to Everyone—Muslim or Non-Muslim
Islamic law does not differentiate between Muslims and non-Muslims when it comes to justice for crimes like rape or murder. Every human has the right to justice, regardless of faith.
📖Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:8)
“O you who believe! Stand firmly for Allah as witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just—that is nearer to righteousness.”
🔹 This verse proves that justice must be applied fairly, even if the victim is from a different faith or even an enemy.
📖Surah An-Nahl (16:90)
“Indeed, Allah commands justice, good conduct, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, bad conduct, and oppression.”
🔹 Islam commands justice for ALL people, not just Muslims.
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 6914
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever killed a person having a treaty with the Muslims, shall not smell the smell of Paradise though its smell is perceived from a distance of forty years.”
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 6914 Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever killed a Mu’ahid (a person who is granted the pledge of protection by the Muslims) shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise though its fragrance can be smelt at a distance of forty years (of traveling).
A treaty in this context refers to a peace agreement or protection pact between Muslims and non-Muslims. It means that non-Muslims living under Muslim rule with an agreement of safety (Dhimmi) or a temporary peace treaty (Mu’ahid) cannot be harmed unjustly.
📖Sunan Abi Dawud 3052
Safwan reported from a number of Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on the authority of their fathers who were relatives of each other. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Beware, if anyone wrongs a contracting man, or diminishes his right, or forces him to work beyond his capacity, or takes from him anything without his consent, I shall plead for him on the Day of Judgment.
What If the Victim Forgives?
📖Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:45)
“But if anyone remits it as charity, it is an expiation for him.”
🔹 The victim (or their family, in case of murder) has the right to forgive, regardless of religion.
📖 Surah Ash-Shura (42:40)
“The retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation—his reward is with Allah.”
🔹 Islam allows mercy, but it does not mean the crime was allowed—it is the victim’s choice.
What If the Victim Dies? Can They Still Forgive?
If the victim of rape or murder has died, they cannot personally forgive the perpetrator. However, Islamic law allows the victim’s family or heirs to decide on justice.
In the Case of Murder – The Family Can Choose
📖Surah Al-Baqarah (2:178)
“O you who have believed, prescribed for you is legal retribution (Qisas) for those murdered… But if the killer is forgiven by the victim’s guardian, then grant [him] suitable compensation and execute [the punishment] with justice.”
🔹 This verse shows that if a person is murdered, their family can choose between:
- Qisas (equal punishment – execution of the murderer)
- Diyya (blood money compensation in exchange for life)
- Forgiveness (complete pardon for the murderer)
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 6880
“The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever is killed unjustly, his heirs have the right to either take retribution, accept blood money, or forgive.’”
🔹 If the victim has died, their family has the right to demand justice, accept compensation, or forgive the killer.
Will the Non-Muslim Victim Go to Hell If Justice Was Not Served?
In Islam, justice is applied in this world and the Hereafter, meaning that if a non-Muslim is murdered or raped, the criminal must be punished in this world according to Islamic law. However, if the criminal escapes justice, does that affect the victim’s fate in the Hereafter?
Punishment for the Criminal is Applied in This World First
📖Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:45)
“And We ordained for them therein: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds equal retaliation. But if anyone remits it as charity, it is an expiation for him.”
🔹 This means that Islamic law demands justice for all victims—Muslim or non-Muslim.
📖 Sunan Abu Dawood 4366 (Authentic Hadith)
“The Prophet (ﷺ) ruled that a man who raped a woman should be stoned to death.”
🔹 If the rapist or murderer was punished in this world, then justice has been served. However, if the criminal was not punished, it does not affect the victim’s fate in the Hereafter.
What If the Criminal Escapes Justice?
📖Surah Ibrahim (14:42)
“And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare in horror.”
🔹 If a criminal escapes justice in this world, they will still face severe punishment on the Day of Judgment. However, this does not automatically save the victim from Hell if they died as a non-Muslim.
Does the Victim Go to Hell If They Were Non-Muslim?
📖Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:72)
“Indeed, those who associate others with Allah (commit shirk), Allah has forbidden Paradise for them, and their refuge is the Fire.”
📖Surah Al-Bayyinah (98:6)
“Indeed, those who disbelieve from the People of the Book and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding therein forever. They are the worst of creation.”
🔹 According to Islamic belief, entry into Paradise is based on faith in Allah alone. A non-Muslim who dies in disbelief does not enter Paradise, regardless of whether they suffered injustice.
📖Surah Az-Zumar (39:70)
“And every soul will be fully compensated for what it did, and He is most knowing of what they do.”
🔹 Even if justice was not served in this world, the non-Muslim victim will still be judged by Allah fairly.
Why Would a Non-Muslim Victim Go to Hell If Justice Was Not Served?
Some may ask: If a person was raped or murdered and did not receive justice, why would they still go to Hell if they were non-Muslim?
- Islam teaches that oppression in this world does not erase disbelief.
- Suffering does not automatically guarantee Paradise—faith in Allah does.
- Allah will judge them fairly, and no injustice will happen to them on the Day of Judgment.
📖Surah Al-Ahqaf (46:19)
“For all are degrees according to what they have done, and so He may fully compensate them for their deeds, and they will not be wronged.”
🔹 This means that even if they were victims, their ultimate fate depends on their belief, not just their suffering.
Is There Any Exception?
-
If They Were Unaware of Islam (Ahlul-Fatrah)
- If a non-Muslim never received the message of Islam properly, they may be tested on the Day of Judgment.
- 📖Quran 17;15:
And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.. - This means that some non-Muslims will have a chance for salvation.
-
If They Accepted Islam Before Death
- If the person repented or accepted Islam before dying, Allah’s mercy can forgive all sins.
- 📖Surah Az-Zumar (39:53)
“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.'”
Conclusion: Justice in This World and the Hereafter
- Islam demands justice for all victims, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.
If the criminal was punished in this world, justice was served.
If the criminal escaped, they will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment.
A non-Muslim victim will still be judged fairly, but their suffering does not grant them automatic entry to Paradise.
Entry to Paradise is based on belief in Allah, not just suffering or injustice.
Final Message: Even if justice was not served in this world, Allah will ensure justice in the Hereafter. However, according to Islamic teachings, suffering alone does not change a person’s fate. faith in Allah is the key to salvation.