shrines of the blessed saints for making Du’a, feed the poor, attend Sunnah-inspiring Ijtima’aat, have travelled with Madani Qafilahs several times, have approached almost all peers and faqirs, and have tried their best, but problems continue to increase instead of coming to an end. Some naïve and foolish people also say, ‘We do not know for which sin we are being punished.’

Instead of complaining and criticising, such people should ponder over the causes of Du’a not being answered. It is highly probable that their character is an obstacle in the way of their Du’as being answered. For example, consuming Haraam [sustenance] sometimes becomes the cause of Du’as not being answered, as the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said: Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ is ‘Tayyib’ [i.e. Pure] and accepts only what is pure. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has indeed commanded the Mu’mineen [believers] what He has commanded the Rasools. He (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) has stated to Rasools:

یٰۤاَیُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوْا مِنَ الطَّیِّبٰتِ وَ اعْمَلُوْا صَالِحًاؕ

Translation from Kanz-ul-Iman: O Noble Rusul, eat good clean things, and do good deeds. (Part 18, Surah Al-Mu`minoon, Ayah 51)

And (has stated to Mu’mineen):

یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا كُلُوْا مِنْ طَیِّبٰتِ مَا رَزَقْنٰكُمْ

Translation from Kanz-ul-Iman: O People who Believe! Eat of the good things We have provided you. (Part 2, Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 172)

Then (the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم) mentioned a person who makes a long journey with untidy hair and dusty body. He invokes ‘O Lord! O Lord!’ with his hands raised towards the sky, but his food is Haraam, his drink is Haraam, his clothing is Haraam and his nourishment is Haraam. How can his Du’a be answered! (Sahih Muslim, pp. 506, Hadees 65 - 1015) ‘Allamah Maulana Naqi ‘Ali Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه, the respected father of A’la Hadrat رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has