Struggling with unanswered du'a for your father's rizq and debt?
Business and Job · Hanafi
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Answer
Answer
Summary of the Ruling
Your situation is a trial (ibtila) from Allah Ta'ala, and the fact that you and your family are turning to Him through du'a, durud, and patience is itself a sign of iman and Allah's mercy. The delay in acceptance of du'a does not mean it is rejected. Allah accepts du'a in one of three ways, and He delays what is best. However, there are also conditions and obstacles that prevent du'a from being accepted or delay its answer, and there are practical Shari' steps you must take alongside du'a. Below is a detailed Hanafi guidance.
1. Allah Always Answers Du'a — But in His Wisdom
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَدْعُو بِدَعْوَةٍ لَيْسَ فِيهَا إِثْمٌ وَلَا قَطِيعَةُ رَحِمٍ إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ بِهَا إِحْدَى ثَلَاثٍ: إِمَّا أَنْ يُعَجِّلَ لَهُ دَعْوَتَهُ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ يَدَّخِرَهَا لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ يَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ مِنَ السُّوءِ مِثْلَهَا»
"No Muslim makes a du'a that does not involve sin or severing kinship except that Allah gives him one of three things: either He hastens his du'a, or He stores it for him in the Hereafter, or He averts from him an equivalent evil." — Musnad Ahmad, Sahih al-Jami' (Hadith 5737)
So your 40,000+ durud and du'as are not wasted. They are being stored, or evil is being averted, or the answer is coming at the perfect time.
Allah says:
«وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ»
"And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know." — Surah Al-Baqarah 2:216
2. Obstacles That Prevent Du'a from Being Accepted
The scholars of the Hanafi school, especially Mufti Muhammad Shafi (rahimahullah) in Ma'ariful Quran and Mufti Taqi Usmani in Fatawa Usmani, mention the following obstacles:
(a) Haram Income (Haraam Maal)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ طَيِّبٌ لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا طَيِّبًا»
"O people, Allah is Tayyib (Pure) and He accepts only that which is pure." — Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1015
If there is any haram income in the household — interest (riba), bribery, gambling, haram business, or any doubtful (mashkuk) source — it blocks du'a. Check carefully whether any past or present income of your father involved riba, lottery, interest-based loans, or haram transactions. If so, taubah and returning the haram wealth is necessary.
(b) Riba (Interest) — A Major Cause of Barakah Being Removed
Allah says:
«يَمْحَقُ اللَّهُ الرِّبَا وَيُرْبِي الصَّدَقَاتِ»
"Allah destroys interest and gives increase for charities." — Surah Al-Baqarah 2:276
If your father's "huge loan" involves bank interest (riba), this is a major cause of barakah being removed from wealth. The Hanafi ruling is clear: riba is haram, and one must make sincere taubah and try to free oneself from interest-based debt as soon as possible. If the loan is interest-based, consult a Mufti about a practical plan to exit it.
(c) Severing of Kinship (Qat' al-Rahm)
You mentioned that "some people have ruined their kinship with my father." If your father or family has also severed ties with relatives, this is a serious obstacle. The Prophet ﷺ said:
«لَا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ قَاطِعُ رَحِمٍ»
"The one who severs kinship will not enter Paradise." — Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5984
Reconnect with relatives, even if they were the ones who wronged you. This opens the doors of rizq.
(d) Not Taking the Means (Asbab)
Du'a must be accompanied by action. The Prophet ﷺ said:
«اعْقِلْهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ»
"Tie your camel and then trust in Allah." — Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2517
Your father must actively seek work, apply for jobs, network, and take practical steps. Du'a alone without effort is not the Sunnah.
(e) Sins and Negligence in Obligations
Persistent sins, missing salah, not paying zakat, or oppressing others can block du'a. Make sincere taubah.
3. What You Should Do — Practical Steps
A. Strengthen Your Connection with Allah
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Five daily prayers on time — especially Fajr. The Prophet ﷺ said:
«مَنْ صَلَّى الصُّبْحَ فَهُوَ فِي ذِمَّةِ اللَّهِ» "Whoever prays Fajr is under Allah's protection." — Sahih Muslim, Hadith 657
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Tahajjud — the time when du'a is most accepted. Allah descends to the lowest heaven and says:
«مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ» "Who asks Me, so that I may give him?" — Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1145
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Istighfar abundantly — this is the key to rizq. Allah says:
«فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ أَنْهَارًا» "I said: Seek forgiveness of your Lord. He will send rain from the sky upon you, and give you increase in wealth and children, and provide for you gardens and rivers." — Surah Nuh 71:10-12
Make istighfar 100+ times daily. The Prophet ﷺ himself did istighfar 100 times a day (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2702).
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Durud Sharif — continue it, but also understand that quantity alone is not the condition; sincerity and presence of heart matter. The Prophet ﷺ said:
«إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَنْظُرُ إِلَى صُوَرِكُمْ وَأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى قُلُوبِكُمْ وَأَعْمَالِكُمْ» "Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but He looks at your hearts and deeds." — Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2564
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Surah Al-Waqi'ah every night — the Prophet ﷺ said:
«مَنْ قَرَأَ سُورَةَ الْوَاقِعَةِ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ لَمْ تُصِبْهُ فَاقَةٌ» "Whoever recites Surah Al-Waqi'ah every night will never be afflicted by poverty." — Shu'ab al-Iman, Hadith 2498
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Surah Al-Mulk every night — protection and barakah.
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Ayat al-Kursi after every salah and before sleeping.
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Recite "Ya Mughni" (يا مغني) and "Ya Razzaq" (يا رزاق) abundantly.
B. Give Sadaqah Regularly
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«الصَّدَقَةُ تُطْفِئُ الْخَطِيئَةَ كَمَا يُطْفِئُ الْمَاءُ النَّارَ»
"Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire." — Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2616
Give sadaqah daily, even a small amount. Give to the poor, orphans, widows, and needy relatives. Sadaqah removes calamity and increases wealth.
C. Reconnect with Relatives
Even if they wronged your father, initiate the reconciliation. The Prophet ﷺ said:
«لَيْسَ الْوَاصِلُ بِالْمُكَافِئِ، وَلَكِنَّ الْوَاصِلَ الَّذِي إِذَا قُطِعَتْ رَحِمُهُ وَصَلَهَا»
"The one who maintains ties is not the one who reciprocates, but the one who, when his kinship is severed, maintains it." — Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5991
D. Practical Financial Steps
- Avoid riba completely — if the loan is interest-based, consult a Mufti for a halal exit plan.
- Pay zakat if eligible — zakat purifies wealth and brings barakah.
- Seek halal employment — your father should actively apply for jobs, even small ones, while continuing his halal business.
- Consult trustworthy businessmen for advice on the new company.
- Make a budget and avoid unnecessary expenses.
- Do not despair — Allah's help comes suddenly.
E. Specific Du'as for Rizq and Debt Relief
The Prophet ﷺ taught:
«اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلَالِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ، وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ»
"O Allah, suffice me with Your halal against Your haram, and make me independent of all others besides You." — Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3563
«اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ»
"O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from miserliness and cowardice, from the burden of debt and from being overpowered by men." — Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6369
Recite this morning and evening.
Also recite:
- Surah Al-Fatihah with intention of rizq
- Surah Al-Ikhlas 100 times daily
- "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" abundantly
- "Hasbunallahu wa ni'mal wakeel" abundantly
F. Ruqyah and Protection
If there is any suspicion of sihr (magic), evil eye (nazar), or jinn, then:
- Recite Surah Al-Fatihah, Ayat al-Kursi, Surah Al-Falaq, Surah An-Nas over water and drink it.
- Recite Surah Al-Baqarah in the house — it drives away shaytan.
- Consult a practicing, Shari'ah-compliant Raqi (not a magician or fortune-teller).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«لَا بَأْسَ بِالرُّقَى مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ شِرْكٌ»
"There is no harm in ruqyah as long as it does not involve shirk." — Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2200
4. Important Admonition
Do not lose hope in Allah. Allah says:
«وَلَا تَيْأَسُوا مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ لَا يَيْأَسُ مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْكَافِرُونَ»
"And do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, no one despairs of the mercy of Allah except the disbelieving people." — Surah Yusuf 12:87
The fact that you are praying, reading durud, and seeking halal means is a sign that Allah is already answering you — He is keeping you on the path of iman. The wealth may come later, but the greater wealth is iman and patience.
Also, remember the words of the Prophet ﷺ:
«عَجَبًا لِأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ، إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ»
"Wondrous is the affair of the believer — all his affairs are good." — Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2999
5. Final Checklist for Your Family
| Action | Frequency | |--------|-----------| | Five daily salah on time | 5x daily | | Tahajjud | Nightly | | Istighfar | 100+ daily | | Durud Sharif | Continue (with heart) | | Surah Al-Waqi'ah | Nightly | | Surah Al-Mulk | Nightly | | Sadaqah | Daily, even small | | Reconnect with relatives | Immediately | | Avoid riba/haram income | Immediately | | Du'a for debt relief | Morning & evening | | Ruqyah (if needed) | As needed | | Practical job/business effort | Daily |
6. Conclusion
Your du'as are not rejected. Allah is either delaying the answer for a better time, storing reward for you in the Hereafter, or averting evil from you. Continue with sincerity, halal income, reconnecting kinship, sadaqah, istighfar, and practical effort. Remove any haram from your wealth. Make taubah. And never despair.
May Allah grant your father halal, blessed rizq, remove his debts, and restore your family's dignity. Ameen.
References
- Sahih al-Bukhari — Hadith 1145, 5984, 5991, 6369
- Sahih Muslim — Hadith 657, 1015, 2200, 2564, 2702, 2999
- Sunan al-Tirmidhi — Hadith 2517, 2616, 3563
- Musnad Ahmad — Hadith 5737
- Shu'ab al-Iman — Hadith 2498
- Ma'ariful Quran — Mufti Muhammad Shafi (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:216, 2:276; Surah Nuh