When You Make Du‘a but Feel Like Allah Isn’t Responding

You raise your hands in du‘a, pour out your heart, yet it seems like the response never comes. That feeling is real, I get it. But before you lose hope, remember what Allah tells us: "And your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’" (Qur’an 40:60). If Allah lets you open your mouth to ask, it means He wants to give you something. You’re asking the Most Mighty, the Most Generous, who invites you to make du‘a. Allah is never stingy with His servants. When you make du‘a, don’t just focus on what you want to see happen. Be thankful that He gave you the chance to ask-that alone is a blessing. Du‘a can be answered in different ways: sometimes you get exactly what you asked for; sometimes Allah withholds it because it might harm you, protecting you from greater difficulties; other times, He saves the reward of your du‘a for you on the Day of Judgment. All these are forms of mercy. So even if you don’t notice an immediate answer, your du‘a isn’t wasted. Never feel like you lost something by asking. You’re asking Al-Karīm, the Most Generous. Be grateful you were able to ask; that’s an act of worship and a mercy in itself. Keep making sincere du‘a, combine it with halal efforts, and be patient. Trust the One who hears every whisper. -- Some say, "I’ve made so many du‘as, but nothing’s changing." The issue isn’t the du‘a itself, but a misunderstanding of patience (sabr) and effort. Sabr doesn’t mean just sitting back waiting for a miracle. It means continuing to make du‘a while also taking the steps Allah has made possible for you. Like the person asking for rizq but never applying for jobs, networking, or improving their skills; Or the spouses praying for a stronger marriage but refusing counseling, honest conversations, or to change harmful behaviors-asking without effort won’t fix what’s broken. Keep praying, keep trying, and trust Allah’s perfect wisdom.