Why Do Supplications of the Oppressed Sometimes Seem Delayed?
Answered by Shaykh Anas al-Musa
Question
There are authentic hadiths that state the supplication of the oppressed is answered. Yet, we witness much oppression occurring, and the oppressed continue to supplicate day and night, but the oppression does not stop. What is the wisdom behind this?
Answer
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.
First and foremost, before answering your question, it is important to understand that Allah (Most High) is wise in everything and only does what is best for His servant.
However, the limited perspective of a human might lead him to think that the painful decrees that befall him and do not seem to lift despite his prayers mean that Allah does not hear his supplications, or that all goodness lies in the removal of what is causing him harm. Yet, it may well be that the hardship itself is a form of goodness and benefit for the person, as Allah (Most High) says
“Fighting has been made obligatory upon you (believers), though you dislike it. Perhaps you dislike something which is good for you and like something which is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know.” [Quran, 2:216]
Scholars have mentioned several wisdoms for why oppression may continue despite the prayers of the oppressed, including:
Delay for a Reason Known to Allah
Allah may delay answering the supplication of some oppressed individuals for wisdom that He knows. The delay could actually benefit the oppressed person.
Test and Trial
Allah may test some of His servants to examine their faith and patience, as He says:
“We will certainly test you (believers) until We prove those of you who (truly) struggle (in Allah’s cause) and remain steadfast, and reveal how you conduct yourselves.” [Quran, 47:31]
Expiation of Sins and Elevation of Ranks
The oppression that befalls a Muslim may be a means of expiating their sins and elevating their ranks with their Lord, as the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“No fatigue, illness, anxiety, sorrow, harm, or distress befalls a Muslim, not even a thorn that pricks him, except that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it.” [Bukhari]
Establishing Divine Justice
Allah (Most High) may delay the removal of oppression from the oppressed and postpone the punishment of the oppressors as a way of leading the oppressors further into sin, or He may give them a chance to repent and return to righteousness. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“Indeed, Allah grants respite to the oppressor, but when He seizes him, He does not let him escape.” Then the Prophet recited: “Such is the (crushing) grip of your Lord when He seizes the societies entrenched in wrongdoing. Indeed, His grip is (terribly) painful and severe.” [Quran, 11:102] [Bukhari]
Demonstrating Servitude to Allah
The servant turns humbly to his Lord, asking Him to remove the injustice and oppression. Even though the oppression may not be lifted immediately despite the servant’s earnest supplication, continuing in prayer and supplication is the essence of servitude to Allah. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“Indeed, supplication is worship itself.” Then he recited: “Call upon Me, I will respond to you. Surely those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, fully humbled.” [Quran, 40:60] [Ahmad]
Conclusion
Finally, I advise you to be certain that Allah does not wrong anyone, as He has forbidden oppression for Himself. One must also be assured that everything that happens in the universe is based on Allah’s knowledge and wisdom, which may not be comprehended by some people.
Therefore, the Muslim should continue to seek refuge with his Lord, supplicating earnestly and never ceasing to make dua. Moreover, the believer must exercise patience and be certain that Allah (Most High) will establish justice at the appropriate time.
I conclude with aphorism (hikam) from Ibn ‘Ata’illah al-Sakandari, which summarizes much of what has been mentioned:
“Let not the delay of the divine response despite your persistence in supplication be a cause of despair for you. He has guaranteed you a response in what He chooses for you, not in what you choose for yourself, and at the time He wills, not at the time you desire.”
May Allah bless the Prophet Muhammad and give him peace, and his Family and Companions.
[Shaykh] Anas al-Musa
Shaykh Anas al-Musa, born in Hama, Syria, in 1974, is an erudite scholar of notable repute. He graduated from the Engineering Institute in Damascus, where he specialized in General Construction, and Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Usul al-Din, where he specialized in Hadith.
He studied under prominent scholars in Damascus, including Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri and Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, among others. Shaykh Anas has memorized the Quran and is proficient in the ten Mutawatir recitations, having studied under Shaykh Bakri al-Tarabishi and Shaykh Mowfaq ‘Ayun. He also graduated from the Iraqi Hadith School.
He has taught numerous Islamic subjects at Shari‘a institutes in Syria and Turkey. Shaykh Anas has served as an Imam and preacher for over 15 years and is a teacher of the Quran in its various readings and narrations.
Currently, he works as a teacher at SeekersGuidance and is responsible for academic guidance there. He has completed his Master’s degree in Hadith and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in the same field. Shaykh Anas al-Musa is married and resides in Istanbul.
