We know that Amaliah is like a Big Sis and sometimes our DMs have been filled with requests for advice on a range of life issues including relationships, friendships or work troubles.
We have started a new segment where we field dilemmas from the community and answer them as frankly as we can with love, truth and honesty.
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Salam Aunt Maya, I’ve been struggling to understand the role of dua lately. We ask Allah for things like good health, safety, and success, yet Muslims still go through the same trials as anyone else—illness, accidents, and hardships. For example, someone might survive a serious illness and thank their doctor, while we attribute it to Allah’s mercy. So, if dua is supposed to be a means of help, why do we face the same difficulties as non-Muslims? It’s hard when it feels like our prayers don’t always change the outcome. How do I understand the real purpose of dua when things don’t seem to improve despite all the supplications?
Maya Areem Responds:
Asalamu Alaykum,
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt reflections. May Allah ﷻ ease your mind and grant you clarity and peace.
The role of du’a is often misunderstood when we focus solely on its visible outcomes. Across the Islamic tradition, scholars have emphasised that dua is not just about asking for things and receiving them; it is about nurturing a relationship with Allah. It reminds us of our dependence on Him and reinforces our belief in His wisdom, even when the outcomes of our prayers are not what we hoped for. Du’a is much more than a mechanism for changing circumstances. It is an act of worship, an affirmation of Allah’s Oneness, and a profound spiritual connection.
When we thank doctors or recognise medicine’s role in healing, we acknowledge the means Allah has placed in this world. However, the ultimate source of healing is always Allah. This understanding allows us to balance gratitude for the means while recognising Allah’s mercy in the outcome.
Even when it seems that our prayers are not changing our situation, they are never wasted. Every dua is answered in one of three ways: granting what we ask for, averting harm, or storing the reward for us in the Hereafter. It doesn’t mean that we stop making du’a as Allah has guaranteed His response in the Qur’an, “Call upon Me, I will respond to you.” (Surah Ghafir 40:60)
It is natural to feel discouraged when your supplications don’t seem to bring immediate relief. But the silence itself can be a sign of Allah’s wisdom. As humans, our perspective is limited, while Allah’s knowledge is infinite. It encompasses what we cannot see. There is khayr in every delay. Imam Ibn Ata’illah beautifully said, “If He delays the response to your supplication, do not despair of His mercy, for He has guaranteed that He will respond in what He chooses for you, not in what you choose for yourself.”
Allah gives to whom He wills, sometimes as a test, sometimes as justice, and even at times to distance people from Him. He says in the Qur’an, “Do people think once they say, “We believe,” that they will be left without being put to the test??” (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:2)
Life is filled with trials, for believers and non-believers alike. Illness, hardship, and loss are universal experiences. What sets a believer’s experience apart is the understanding that trials have a purpose beyond the immediate. They can be a means of purification, a test of patience, or a way to draw closer to Allah. It’s crucial to remember that this life is temporary, our ultimate focus should be on the eternal afterlife, where the rewards far outweigh the challenges we face here.
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The world is a prison for the believer and Paradise for the disbeliever.” (Tirmidhi)
Just because non-Muslims may appear to be living easier or more comfortable lives, it is not an indication of Allah’s absence or injustice. Allah says in the Qur’an, “And let neither their wealth nor children impress you ˹O Prophet˺. Allah only intends to torment them through these things in this world, and ˹then˺ their souls will depart while they are disbelievers.” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:85)
It is important to remember that worldly ease or success is not always a sign of His favour, just as hardship is not necessarily a punishment. Instead, these conditions can be tests, both for those who enjoy them and those who witness them.
As believers, we have been given the treasure of Iman Bil Ghayb (faith in the unseen). Every time we declare the shahadah, “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”, we affirm a truth far greater than the immediate reality around us. This belief sets us apart and reminds us that our ultimate reward lies not in this world but in the eternal hereafter.
Ultimately, du’a is a gift, and had Allah not wanted to answer us, He would not have inspired us to ask Him. This is why one of the righteous people said: “I am more fearful of being denied making du’a than I am of the du’a not being answered.” Just because the answer is delayed, does not mean that Allah will not answer. It is He who told us, “Or ˹ask them, “Who responds to the distressed when they cry to Him, relieving ˹their˺ affliction, and ˹Who˺ makes you successors in the earth? Is it another god besides Allah? Yet you are hardly mindful!” (Surah An-Naml 27:62)
Dua is also an invitation to action. While we place our trust in Allah, we are also encouraged to work towards the outcomes we seek. A powerful example of this is the story of Prophet Nuh AS. When he prayed for relief from the oppression of his people, Allah instructed him, “And build the Ark under Our ˹watchful˺ Eyes and directions..” (Surah Hud 11:37)
Relief did not come without effort; Allah asked Nuh AS to take action. Similarly, when we make du’a, it is a reminder to align our efforts with our prayers. If someone prays for success in an exam but doesn’t study, they are neglecting the part they must play. Effort and du’a go hand in hand, and in that balance lies the true wisdom of faith.
Consider du’a as an intimate conversation with Allah rather than a transaction. It is a space to pour your heart out, express your fears and hopes, and reaffirm your trust in Him. Every moment spent in du’a brings you closer to Him, even if the outcome seems unchanged.
It is important to remember that your struggles with these thoughts do not diminish your faith. They reflect your sincere desire to understand and grow closer to Allah. If you’re looking for further comfort and connection, you may find the following dua articles helpful, offering gentle reminders and guidance for heartfelt supplications.
- The Etiquettes of Making Dua: How to Get Your Prayers Answered
- Duas for Wealth, Provision, Debt Relief & Other Money Problems
- Duas for Anxiety, Worry and Stress From the Quran and Sunnah
- Duas for Shifaa (Healing)
- Duas for Your Parents
You might also consider reading The 99 Names of Allah by Jinan Yusuf, a beautiful book that helps us reflect on who we are turning to in prayer and deepen our relationship with Him.
May Allah grant you tranquillity in your heart, steadfastness in your Iman, and the wisdom to see the beauty in His plan, even when it is unclear. Ameen.
Love + Duas
Aunt Maya
If you would like some wisdom from Aunt Maya, send in your problems here! Please note Aunt Maya may consult the opinion of others from time to time and ask the Amaliah community for their advice too. Aunt Maya is not a licensed therapist or mental health professional.
