Allah answered the prayers of Jonah (peace be upon him) when he cried out from the belly of the whale: “And (remember) Jonah, when he went off in anger and deemed that We would not straiten him. But he cried through the depths of darkness, saying: ‘There is no god but You, Glory to You: I was indeed wrong!’ So We answered him and delivered him from grief, and thus do We deliver the believers.” (Quran 21:87-88)

 

Likewise, Allah answered the prayers of Abraham, Zechariah, John the Baptist, Jesus, and indeed every one of His Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon them all). They beseeched their Lord with utmost humility and sincerity, so He, in His infinite grace, safeguarded them, guided them, honored them, and accepted their appeals.

 

Allah is the one who answers the prayers of those who beseech Him and place their hopes in Him. God alone is the one to whom all prayers and supplications are to be made.

 

“And your Lord says: “Call on Me; I will answer your (prayer): but those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell – in humiliation!”” (Quran 40:60)

Allah has enjoined supplication upon us and He has promised to answer our prayers. This is why `Umar used to say: “I do not worry that my supplications will be answered. I worry about my supplications themselves.”

 

In other words, when a person is blessed to beseech the Lord, this itself is the benefit. As for the answer, that is something which has already been granted.

 

Allah is the one who removes our distresses. He reminds us: “It is God who delivers you from these and from every distress, but again you set up others (with Him).”

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