stated: One should refrain from Haraam in eating, drinking, dressing and earning, as Du’a of the people is mostly rejected who eat Haraam and commit Haraam deeds. (Fadaail-e-Du’a, pp. 60) Let’s now listen to an admonitory parable in this regard and obtain Madani pearls of admonition.

Cause of unanswered Du’a

Sayyiduna ‘Ubbaad Khawwaas رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has narrated: Once Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَـيْهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام passed by a place and saw that a person was busy making heartfelt Du’a in tears by raising his hands [towards the sky]. Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَـيْهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام kept on seeing him and then humbly asked in the court of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ: ‘O my Raheem and Kareem Rab عَزَّوَجَلَّ! Why are You not answering the Du’a of this bondman of Yours?’ Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ sent a Wahee [revelation] to Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَـيْهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام: ‘O Musa! I will not answer this person’s Du’a even if he cries to death and raises his hands to the extent that they touch the sky.’ Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَـيْهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام humbly asked: ‘My Maula! What is the reason behind it?’ He عَـلَـيْهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام was responded: ‘He eats Haraam and wears Haraam and there is Haraam wealth in his home.’

(‘Uyoon-ul-Hikayaat, part 2, pp. 196)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب              صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! You have just heard that a person, who eats Haraam, wears Haraam and keeps Haraam wealth and possessions in his home becomes himself the cause of unanswered Du’a and thus deserves the torment of Hell. Therefore, if we wish our Du’as to be answered and want to remain safe from the displeasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, we should only get into the habit of eating Halal food and should keep on refraining from everything that is Haraam and impermissible. For example, if someone is unable to meet his living expenses due to low salary, he should get rid of unnecessary expenses rather than using Haraam means for satisfying his greed for wealth.

At times, the household, in-laws or relatives taunt a person about his low salary. On such occasions, it is wise to make up your mind to place your trust in Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ by having patience and by being grateful to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ even on a low income. Feeling distress on such occasions, some people lose hope and