The Holy Qur’an is very clear that Allah is a Living God who accepts the prayers of His servants. It is related in Chapter 2, verse 187:-
“And when My servants ask thee (the Holy Prophet) about Me, say, ‘I am near. I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he prayers to Me. So they should hearken to Me and believe in Me, that they may follow the right way.”
How is the best way to know the existence of God than for Allah to have a direct relationship with you, through answering your prayers?
The Holy Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has informed us:-
‘Allah is so Modest, Compassionate and Generous, that when a man raises both his hands in prayer, He shies away from turning him away empty-handed’.
But this doesn’t mean that Allah will answer every prayer you do. There is a way and means to help get your prayers accepted.
One of the best books I have read on this subject is Blessings of Prayer by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi.
If anyone would like a link to read this book, please ask and I will gladly send it to you. Please contact me here email us
I will copy a passage from that book about the conditions for prayer:-
“God Almighty has never promised to accept all prayers, but has clearly said that He will accept or reject prayers as He desires. The following verse clearly states this point:
‘Nay, but on Him alone will you call; then will He remove that which you call on Him to remove, if He pleases.’ Holy Qur’an Chapter 6, verse 42
Even if we condescend to accept that in this context the word ‘Pray’ refers to prayer in general, we will have to affirm that the prayer referred to here is that which compiles with all the necessary conditions; and we know that it is not in the power of man to meet all these conditions by himself unless he is helped by God.
One should also remember that humility and anguishalone is not enough for prayer to be accepted, for it also requires righteousness, purity, truthfulness, perfect certainty, perfect love and perfect attention. Moreover, it is also essential that the object prayed for should not be against the welfare of the supplicant, or the one on whose behalf he prays, both in this world and the hereafter.” (Blessings of Prayer Page 21)
We should always appreciate the guidance given to us by the Prophets of Allah.
We see from the Promised Messiah’s words that if we want our prayers to be accepted, then doing the prayers is not enough; it is how you perform them. The prayers are designed for us to display humility.
We have to bow and prostrate before Allah, so we are demonstrating humility. But like all things it is important that we just don’t go through the actions, but mean them. Throughout the prayer we need to recognise who we are talking to.
It is to Allah – the One God – to whom we are addressing.
Then recognise who are we – we are His weak, humble servants.
So we should not display arrogance, but be humble in our words and actions.
The Promised Messiah has referred to a beggar and how he would approach someone to get them to give him something. He shows humility and praises the person and only then put forward his needs. Likewise, if we really want something, we display anguish. A child will keep asking his parents for the thing he desires until he gets it. So Allah wants to see if you really want it.
But then also are we His submissive servants? Are we striving to purify ourselves, develop our righteousness. How can you face Allah knowing that you are doing wrong, yet expect Him to grant you your wishes. Therefore it is important to keep doing self-reformation every day, seeking Allah’s forgiveness, repenting and ensuring that we do not repeat it again. If not, then again we are displaying arrogance. We expect Allah to give us what we ask for, but are not willing to change ourselves.
The next condition is truthfulness, again this is what Allah wants from us. How can we go about lying, become known as a liar and then expect people to believe us, that Allah has accepted our prayers? So we must strive to be known as being truthful.
The next condition is perfect certainty, perfect certainty that Allah is a Living God, a God who will answer your prayers. If you do not believe this, then you will approach your prayers half-heartedly. You must have that conviction within yourself that Allah is listening to you and can grant you what you ask.
When you pray, you must believe that Allah is with you, next to you.
If you want to ask your parents something, but they are not in the room, naturally they will not know about it. But when they are in the room, then you expect them to be listening. With that certainty, you then express your needs to them. Same with Allah.
Then the Promised Messiah explains that we should have perfect love for Allah. Again when you love someone, that love brings expectation. Due to that love you want to help one another, be near to another. You should have that perfect love for the prayer, knowing that it is your opportunity to be near to your lover, to whom you want to please.
Likewise we should have perfect attention. We should be aware of how we are praying.
Sometimes you see children, fidgeting, being bored with the prayer, that can affect your prayer and you become distracted. So we have to ensure that we are paying perfect attention to the prayer, not allowing Satan to make our mind wander, but instead be focused.
Finally, it is important that what we ask for is good for us and others. The Promised Messiah used the example of a child wanting to touch a flaming fire. No mother would allow the child to burn himself, no matter how much he wants it. So we must be requesting for good, beneficial things. If we ask for something which ultimately will be bad for us, then Allah will not comply with the request. Instead He may give us something better or grant us the acceptance in the next life.
The Promised Messiah has also guided us on what we should ask, he has said:
“Cleanse your actions and be ever occupied with the remembrance of Allah and do not become heedless. Forever keep repentance alive and never let it die. The weapons through which we are going to achieve success are:
Istighfar (seeking forgiveness), Taubah (repentance), knowledge of faith, keeping the greatness of God in our mindand offering the 5 daily prayers regularly.
Salat (prayer) is the key to the acceptance of prayers. When you offer the Salat, make your prayers and requests during it, safeguard yourself from every evil.”
I hope and pray that this will help you with your prayers. May Allah accept all your Prayers and grant you His Nearness, Amen.