by Nazia Janar

When we really want something we make du’a after every salah, standing for tahajjud in the depths of the night and crying to Allah (swt), asking Him to accept our prayer.

But sometimes it isn’t accepted. And we’d really wanted it! We lose hope— our hearts break, and we feel like it’s the end of the world, or at least the end of our world. We fail to realise that this is the dunya, the dunya wherein we will face trials, left, right, and centre.

Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an: Do men think that they will be left alone on saying ‘We believe’ and that they will not be tested? [Qur’an, 29:2]

Our du’a not being accepted is part of the test. Allah’s delay is not Allah’s denial, and ultimately only Allah (swt) knows what is best for us. We need to stand strong and bear beautiful patience (sabrun jameel) in times of adversity, holding on to the rope of Islam and having firm faith in the promise of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) has made beautiful promises to the believers in the Qur’an, how then can we be sad when one of our du’as is not answered. We should instead strive for righteousness, enjoining good and forbidding evil, remembering the promises of Allah (swt) for His slaves and striving to earn the most beautiful promise of all— Jannah-tul-Firdous.

What is a promise? Let us understand the definition: a promise is a declaration or an assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen.

Allah’s promises to believers:

1. Forgiveness

To those who believe and do deeds of righteousness has Allah promised forgiveness and a great reward. [Qur’an, 5:9]

Always aim to do good deeds with the intention of pleasing Allah (swt), and never fall short in repentance to Allah (swt) for Allah (swt), the Most Merciful and All-Forgiving, has promised His believers forgiveness. He has also promised a great reward, so imagine what kind of great reward would come from Allah (swt) the Most Great!

2. Guidance– Hidayah

Those who believe, and work righteousness, their Lord will guide them because of their faith, beneath them will flow rivers in gardens of bliss.  [Qur’an, 10:9]

We ask Allah (swt) for guidance in our salah every day. Pray your salah on time and regularly and do good deeds. If Allah (swt) didn’t accept this du’a of yours, He is guiding you to something better or delaying it for a later date to strengthen you in faith.

3. Protection from Shaitaan

No authority has he (i.e. Shaitaan) over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. [Qur’an, 16:99]

The Shaitaan is waiting for you to fail your test so he can take over your mind, filling it with sadness and complaints. Why me? Why didn’t Allah (swt) accept my du’a? I’m useless, I don’t deserve it, I’m bad. Ever had those thoughts? That’s the Shaitaan. Push all those thoughts aside and seek refuge in Allah (swt) from the Shaitaan.

Put your trust fully in Allah (swt) and know with certainty that Allah (swt) has something better planned for you.

4. Your Efforts Will be Rewarded

As to those who believe and work righteousness, verily We shall not suffer to perish the reward of any who do a (single) righteous deed.  [Qur’an, 18:30]

At times you may feel that you are striving so hard to do good, to keep steadfast in your prayers, to stay away from sin yet still your life is not the way you had planned it to be, what are you doing wrong you may feel. Allah (swt) promises us that no effort will be wasted, every single righteous deed will be rewarded , we just have to bear patience , the reward may come in this dunya or it may come in the Aakhirah we just have to bear sweet patience. The reward may not be in the form we wanted it to be in but it will be in the form that is best for us, for Allah (swt) loves us more than our own mothers, He, the Most High, is the only One that know what is best for His believers.

5. Paradise

Give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is Gardens, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therein, they say: “Why, this is what we were fed with before,” for they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions pure (and holy), and they abide therein (for ever). [Qur’an, 2:25]

The ultimate promise of Allah (swt) for His believers is Jannah. This is the eternal abode we should all be striving for in this dunya. All our deeds and actions in this dunya should bring us closer to Allah (swt) and to attaining Jannah. If our deeds and actions are not bringing us closer to Allah (swt) then we need to re-evaluate our lives, refrain from sinning, purify our intentions, and seek Allah’s forgiveness and His mercy.

Trust Allah (swt) and have full faith in His promises and see how your life changes for the better.

Sister Nazia Janar heads up “I am Alima” Publications. Nazia is enthusiastic about making a difference to Muslim women of today by being constantly on a path of learning and by striving to leave behind a legacy for the sake of Allah (swt).