How to believe in my prayer?

How to believe in my prayer? This profound question delves into the very essence of faith and the human connection with the Creator. Believing in one's prayer is far more than merely uttering words; it is a profound conviction of the heart, an unwavering certainty, and an absolute trust in the infinite power, knowledge, wisdom, and mercy of Allah. The Holy Quran explicitly emphasizes the importance of supplication (Dua) and its acceptance, thereby illuminating the path to strengthening this belief. The genesis of this belief originates from the very words of Allah. In Surah Ghafir (Al-Mu'min), verse 60, the Almighty states with both decisiveness and tenderness: "وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ" which translates to: "And your Lord says, 'Call upon Me; I will respond to you.'" This is a clear and unequivocal promise from the One who never breaks His promises and whose power transcends all things. This verse forms the very backbone of our belief in Dua. If Allah Himself invites us to pray and pledges to answer, how can we possibly not believe in our own prayers? This verse is not merely an encouragement but a divine command that we must answer with complete certainty. When we know that the Creator of the heavens and the earth is the Responder to our prayers, doubt and hesitation become meaningless. This divine promise reassures us that whenever we sincerely and wholeheartedly extend our hands in need to Him, He is All-Hearing and All-Responsive. Even in the depths of despair and hardship, this single verse is enough to ignite the flame of hope in our hearts and remind us that the only path to salvation and comfort is reliance and supplication to Him. Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 186, Allah beautifully articulates His proximity to His servants: "وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ" meaning: "And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided." This verse not only guarantees acceptance but also sets "belief in Allah" and "responding to His call" as conditions. This faith is precisely the belief in prayer itself. It implies that if you wish your prayer to be answered, you must have absolute faith in Me and My power. Allah's proximity to us is not just an attribute but a profound reality that brings comfort and peace of mind. He is closer to us than our jugular vein, hearing even the whispers of our hearts. This verse teaches us that our relationship with Allah is not a distant, formal one, but an intimate and direct connection. Whenever we wish, we can speak to Him and find Him present and aware of our state. This sense of closeness is the greatest factor in strengthening our belief in His power and mercy. Believing in Dua also means understanding that Allah's response is not always the immediate fulfillment of precisely what we ask for. Divine wisdom takes precedence over our limited knowledge and understanding. Sometimes, Allah grants exactly what we desire. At other times, He diverts a greater harm from us, of which we might have been unaware. Occasionally, He bestows upon us something far better than what we requested, and sometimes, He reserves the reward of our prayer for the Hereafter, which is infinitely more valuable and everlasting. This profound understanding prevents us from despairing if our prayers do not seemingly manifest in the worldly sense, thereby strengthening our belief. As it is often said, "Perhaps what we desire is not good for us, and what Allah gives is pure goodness." Accepting this reality that Allah is the Best Disposer of affairs and knows what is truly good and beneficial for us plays a crucial role in maintaining and strengthening our belief in our prayers. He is not only aware of our current needs but also knows the future and what lies beyond the veil. To strengthen this belief and inner certainty, several points should be considered: 1. Understanding Allah's Attributes: The more we familiarize ourselves with Allah's attributes such as "As-Sami'" (The All-Hearing), "Al-Mujib" (The Responder), "Al-Qadir" (The All-Powerful), "Al-Hakim" (The All-Wise), and "Ar-Rahim" (The Most Merciful), the more our conviction grows that He is capable and willing to hear and answer our prayers. He not only hears but responds in the best possible way. Studying and reflecting upon His Beautiful Names (Asma al-Husna) and pondering the signs in the horizons and within ourselves, which point to His infinite power and knowledge, can deepen this understanding and fill the heart with certainty. 2. Sincerity and Complete Reliance (Tawakkul): Prayer must be solely directed to Allah, with no doubt whatsoever in His ability to answer. Tawakkul means absolute reliance on Allah after having exerted our own efforts and fulfilled our duties. If one truly relies on Allah, there remains no room for doubt concerning the acceptance of their prayer. Dua should not be merely a mechanical act but should spring from the depth of the heart with one's entire being. This sincerity itself is a bridge to acceptance. 3. Manners of Dua and Persistence: Supplication has its etiquettes: beginning with praising and glorifying Allah, sending blessings upon the Prophet and his family, acknowledging sins and seeking forgiveness, and only then presenting one's request. Persistence in Dua signifies earnestness and a heartfelt belief in its acceptance. Allah loves those who persist in their supplications and do not despair. This persistence is a sign of steadfastness in faith and avoidance of despair. 4. Fulfilling Obligations and Avoiding Prohibitions: Lawful earnings, upholding the rights of others, and performing religious duties significantly impact the acceptance of Dua. A pure heart and righteous deeds bring the prayer closer to the Divine Throne and imbue it with power. Involvement in sins and disregard for divine commands can create a barrier between the prayer and its acceptance. Striving for purity of both outer and inner self is a crucial step on the path to believing in Dua. 5. Reflecting on Past Blessings and Divine Responses: Recalling instances where Allah answered our prayers or miraculously resolved our difficulties increases our certainty in His power and mercy. Every breath we take, every day we begin in good health, every blessing we possess, are countless responses from Allah that we may not even notice. Gratitude for past blessings leads to the opening of doors of divine mercy in the future. 6. Patience and Avoiding Despair: Sometimes, the acceptance of Dua is delayed. This delay may be due to a wisdom unknown to us, or to test our patience, or for it to be answered at a more opportune time. Despairing of Allah's mercy is a major sin. Allah says in Surah Yusuf, verse 87: "And do not despair of the relief of Allah. Indeed, no one despairs of the relief of Allah except the disbelieving people." This verse assures us that even in difficult and desperate circumstances, we should never lose hope, because hoping for Allah's grace is itself part of faith. Ultimately, believing in Dua and its acceptance is an integral part of spiritual growth and strengthening faith. When we raise our hands in supplication with complete certainty, we not only draw closer to our desires but, more importantly, our connection with Allah deepens and strengthens. Dua is our bridge to the Infinite, a doorway to inner peace and assurance. With every prayer we make, we sow a seed of hope and keep alive the conviction in our hearts that the Almighty is ever-Hearing and ever-Responsive, and no prayer goes unanswered, even if its response manifests in a different form or at another time. This belief provides us with strength and tranquility, not just in moments of need, but throughout all aspects of life, making us steadfast on the path of divine pleasure.