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 accord- ingly, 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 deter- mination with pleasure. It is said: وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ وَ الثَّمَرَتِ ، وَبَشِّرِ الصَّبِرِينَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَالُوْلانَا يته وإنَّا لَيُورْجِعُونَ . By reading both these verses together, one would know what is the way of Allah in respect of prayers and what is the relationship between the Lord and a servant. [Haqiqat-ul-Waļī, Rūķānī Khazā'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 Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. ' Al-Baqarah, 2:156-157 [Publisher]