The lack of answered prayers is dependent on divine will and the sincerity of one's prayer.
In the Holy Quran, prayer holds significant importance, and believers are encouraged to pray. However, the lack of answer to prayers can raise questions for some individuals. One possible reason might be the incompatibility of the prayer with divine will. In Surah Al-Mu'minun, verse 60, Allah says: "And those who invoke [Me], I will respond to their supplication." This verse highlights that prayer should be performed with humility and persistence, also depending on God's will. Another reason could be the lack of sincerity in one's prayer. Sometimes, a person may pray out of need and desperation, but may not genuinely believe in Allah. Furthermore, in prayers, one must have a true and pure intention, as in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 186, Allah promises that He is close to His servants and hears their supplications. Thus, intention and faith are among the most critical factors in the acceptance of prayers. Ultimately, some prayers may not be answered at the right time or place, but instead, Allah might grant blessings and mercy to His servants in the hereafter or in other ways. This idea is also emphasized in the Quran, where God has wisdom in answering prayers, so believers should trust in divine wisdom and exhibit patience.
And those who invoke [Me], I will respond to their supplication.
And if My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the supplicant when he calls upon Me.
One day, in a corner of a mosque, a young man named Amir was sitting and deeply thinking about his prayers. He always prayed for his problems to be solved, but it seemed that his prayers were not being answered. One day, the mosque's Imam approached him and said, "Dear Amir, do you know that praying requires intention and sincerity of heart?" Amir looked at the Imam with a questioning expression. The Imam continued, "Allah looks at hearts and intentions, and at the right time, He answers prayers. Remember, we may not know what the best time and manner of answering a prayer is." After hearing these words, Amir decided to focus more on the intention and sincerity in his prayers, and thereafter, his life underwent positive changes.