Hadith #3541

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims about the importance of sincerity and righteousness in supplicating to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to think that our prayers are being answered slowly, while we ourselves have hindered their fulfillment by our own sins.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith. The word (tastabti') "تَسْتَبْطِئْ" means to reckon or think that something is slow or delayed. (ijaba) "إجابَةَ" refers to the answering or response to supplication. (dua'ika) "دُعائِكَ" means your supplication. (qadsaddta) "قَدْسَدْدْتَ" signifies obstructing or blocking. And finally, (tariqahu) "طريقَهُ" refers to the path or way of supplication.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Ghafir (40:60), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And your Lord says, 'Call upon Me; I will respond to you.' Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.

This verse emphasizes the importance of supplicating to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and assures us that He will respond to our calls. However, the Hadith reminds us that our own sins can obstruct the path of our supplications. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the Most Merciful and Forgiving, but it is our duty to strive for righteousness and avoid sinful actions that may hinder the acceptance of our prayers.

In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:186), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.

This verse highlights the proximity of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to His servants and His readiness to respond to their supplications. However, it is crucial to note that our own actions and intentions play a significant role in the acceptance of our prayers. If we obstruct the path of our supplications with sins, it may delay or hinder the response from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to reflect upon our own actions and strive for righteousness in order to ensure the smooth flow of our supplications. It is not appropriate for us to expect swift responses from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) while we continue to engage in sinful behavior. Our sins act as barriers that slow down the process of our prayers being answered.

Let us consider an example to better understand the consequences of obstructing the path of our supplications with sins. Imagine a person who consistently lies and deceives others. They then supplicate to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for success and prosperity in their endeavors. However, their lies and deceit create a barrier that obstructs the fulfillment of their supplication. Their sins hinder the response from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and delay the realization of their desires.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to purify our hearts and rectify our actions. By seeking forgiveness for our sins and sincerely repenting, we can remove the obstacles that hinder the acceptance of our supplications. It is essential to align our intentions and actions with the teachings of Islam, ensuring that we do not obstruct the path of our prayers with our own transgressions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims that the acceptance of our supplications is closely tied to our own righteousness and sincerity. We should not expect swift responses from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) if we continue to engage in sinful behavior. It is our responsibility to purify our hearts, seek forgiveness, and strive for righteousness in order to ensure the smooth flow of our supplications. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of righteousness and accept our sincere supplications.