The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 217
Prayer 217. But it needs to be remembered that it is a wrong notion that every prayer of those who are God's favourites is accepted. The truth is that the dealing of God Almighty with them is like that of a friend; sometimes He accepts their prayers and sometimes He imposes His will upon them. That is what happens in friendship. At one time, a friend accepts what his friend proposes and acts accordingly, and at another time makes him accept what he himself wishes. At one place in the Holy Qur'an God promises acceptance of the prayers of believers saying: ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ 62. That is, Pray to Me, I shall accept your prayer. . And at another place instructs them to accept His determination with pleasure. It is said: وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ و الثَّمَرتِ ، وبشر الصبِرِينَ ، الذين إذا أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَالُوار يله وانا اليورْجِعُونَ ". By reading both these verses together, one would know what is the way of Allāh in respect of prayers and what is the relationship between the Lord and a servant. [Haqiqat-ul-Waḥī, Rūḥānī Khaza'in, vol. 22, pp. 20-21] 62 Al-Mu'min, 40:61 [Publisher] 63 'And We will try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives, and fruits; but give glad tidings to the patient, who, when a misfortune overtakes them, say: Surely, to Allāh we belong and to Him shall we return. '-Al-Baqarah, 2:156-157 [Publisher]