Answering Prayers: A Tangible Proof That Strengthens Faith in the Creator’s Existence

Supplication: Knocking on the Doors of the Heavens

In a world filled with noise and events, in moments of calm and stillness, when a person retreats to their private space far from the clamor of life, there emerges a unique language that humans speak directly to their Creator. It is the language of supplication—words that spring forth from the depths of the soul, laden with hopes and dreams, seeking the mercy and kindness of the Creator. Prayer is not merely words cast into the air; it is a sincere expression of human need and weakness before the majesty of Allah.

Since time immemorial, humans have raised their hands to the heavens, asking for Allah’s help in moments of hardship, success in times of challenge, and peace in times of turmoil. These moments between a servant and his Lord carry within them profound evidence of Allah’s existence. How could such heartfelt pleas find resonance in the universe if there were not One who hears and answers them?

The scholar ‘Abdur Rahman bin Nasir Al-Sa‘di (may Allah have mercy on him) said:"Among the proofs of His lordship and oneness is His answering of prayers at all times. The creation cannot enumerate what He grants to those who ask and how He responds to the supplications of the callers—whether righteous or sinner, believer or disbeliever. Servants attain countless needs and do not know any cause for them except prayer and their hope in Allah’s grace and mercy. This is tangible proof at all times, denied only by an obstinate rejecter.[45]"

In this article, we will reflect on this profound statement by Al-Sa‘di (may Allah have mercy on him) and clarify the strength of this evidence. We will then address objections raised against this argument and explain how this phenomenon deepens our faith and strengthens our certainty in the Creator’s existence. Join us on this intellectual journey as we contemplate the evidence of answered prayers as proof of Allah’s existence and how this tangible evidence illuminates our path to stronger faith.

Reflections on Al-Sa‘di’s Explanation of Answered Prayers

Reflecting on the words of the scholar ‘Abdur Rahman Al-Sa‘di regarding the evidence of answered prayers reveals the depth and beauty of this proof. With his simple and clear expressions, Al-Sa‘di places before us astonishing facts. Here, we will present three clarifying points that deepen our understanding of this argument and highlight its strength and persuasiveness.

First Reflection: Answered Prayers Occur at All Times Without Limitation

How do we know that supplications are answered at all times? The method for verifying this relies on two primary sources of human knowledge: sensory perception and truthful reports. Let us reflect on how we rely on these two sources.

The majority of our scientific knowledge comes either from sensory experiences or from reliable reports. Information that we perceive through our five senses is undoubtedly a fundamental part of our knowledge. However, there is also an immense amount of knowledge that we acquire through reports and testimonies. These reports can be divided into two types: mutawatir reports and individual reports. Mutawatir reports are those conveyed by a large number of people, such that collusion on falsehood is impossible. As for individual reports, they depend on the trustworthiness or falsehood of the narrator, so we accept reports from honest individuals and reject those from liars.

When it comes to the answering of prayers, we find that this reality is established through both of these sources. When a person calls upon Allah, and Allah answers their supplication, they perceive this directly through their own senses. This personal perception has been the reason for the faith of countless people throughout history. These personal experiences serve as strong evidence that supplications are indeed answered.

But what about those who have not experienced the answering of their own supplications? For such individuals, they can turn to the experiences of others. They can ask people who have witnessed their prayers being answered, or they can read testimonies and reports documenting these experiences. They will find repeated instances of answered supplications across various cultures and time periods.

The answering of prayers is not limited to a specific time or place; it happens at all times and in all places. The cumulative, direct experiences of people confirm this reality with great strength. Even the skeptical reader will find it difficult to dismiss this overwhelming number of testimonies that affirm answered prayers as a real and undeniable phenomenon worthy of serious consideration.

Second Reflection: The Answering of Prayers Cannot Be Explained Except Through Divine Intervention

When we contemplate the events that occur as a result of supplications, we realize that there is a transcendent Creator who is answering these prayers. The principle of causality dictates that every event must have a cause, and the extraordinary occurrences that happen in response to supplication cannot take place without the existence of a Creator who is All-Hearing and Responsive.

Let us consider just one example, though the examples are countless: the case of Dr. Laurence Brown, a well-known American physician. Dr. Brown was an atheist with no religious belief. His daughter fell critically ill, and the doctors assured him while he was at the hospital with her that she would die at any moment. In this time of great distress, he retreated to a secluded place and sincerely prayed to Allah, saying: “If You cure my daughter, I will follow the religion most beloved to You.”

When he returned to the doctors, he found them in a state of astonishment. His daughter had been completely cured in a way that defied explanation, and the doctors could not find a reason for her sudden recovery. This decisive experience was one of the main reasons that led Laurence Brown to believe in Allah. Afterward, he began researching different religions, and this journey ultimately led him to embrace Islam[46].

This story is not just an isolated incident; it is a living example of how divine will intervenes in our lives. Doors that were completely shut suddenly open, terminal illnesses are cured unexpectedly, and complex problems are resolved in ways that no one could have anticipated. All of these occurrences point to the existence of a Creator who answers supplications. These events are not mere coincidences or luck but are manifestations of divine will that works to bring goodness to humanity.

Third Reflection: It Is a Tangible Proof Denied Only by the Obstinate

In the first reflection, we established that this evidence relies on sensory experience and truthful reports, two of the most significant sources of human knowledge. The repeated personal experiences and mutawatir reports throughout history have confirmed the answering of supplications consistently.

In the second reflection, we clarified that these answers to supplications occur without any known natural causes, which strengthens the power of this proof and affirms the existence of an All-Hearing, Responsive Creator.

Based on these two reflections, we find that the proof of answered supplications cannot be denied except by someone who refuses to acknowledge clear and undeniable truths. The sensory experiences and mutawatir reports of answered prayers that surpass natural explanations make this evidence strong and tangible. It is a proof witnessed by people in their daily lives, leaving no doubt that there is a Creator who responds to the prayers of His servants.

Responding to the Objection of Unanswered Supplications

Some might object by saying that Allah does not answer everyone’s prayers, citing examples of people whose prayers were not answered. This objection can be addressed from several angles:

First Point: Obstacles to Answered Supplications

It is not claimed that Allah answers every supplication unconditionally; rather, there are conditions and obstacles that affect the answering of prayers. The aḥadīth of the Prophet ﷺ provide multiple guidelines regarding this:

• The Prophet ﷺ said: “The supplication of one of you will be answered so long as he is not impatient and says, ‘I prayed, but I have not been answered.’” (Reported by Al-Bukhārī and Muslim).
• He also said: “A servant’s supplication will continue to be answered as long as he does not pray for sin or severing ties of kinship.” (Reported by Muslim).
• In another ḥadīth: “Call upon Allah while you are certain of being answered, and know that Allah does not answer a supplication from a heedless, distracted heart.” (Classified as Hasan by Al-Albani in Sahih At-Tirmidhi).

From these aḥadīth, we learn that there are several obstacles to answered supplications, such as:

• Impatience in supplication: A person becomes hasty and frustrated when their prayer is not answered immediately.
• Praying for sin or severing kinship ties: Supplications that involve disobedience or harm to others are not accepted.
• Lack of certainty in being answered: The supplicant must be certain that Allah will respond and must pray with a present, attentive heart.

Second Point: Different Forms of Answered Supplications

The answering of supplications may occur in ways other than what the supplicant directly requests, as mentioned in the ḥadīth: “No Muslim prays to Allah with a supplication that does not involve sin or severing ties of kinship except that Allah will grant him one of three things: He will either hasten what he prayed for, store it for him in the Hereafter, or avert from him an equivalent harm.” They said, “In that case, we will ask more.” He replied, “Allah has even more.” (Sahih Al-Adab Al-Mufrad: 547).

This ḥadīth clarifies that Allah responds to supplications in diverse ways, which may not always align with the supplicant’s expectations. The response might be immediate, reserved for the Hereafter, or manifest as protection from an equivalent harm.

Third Point: Wisdom in Unanswered Supplications

The answering of prayers is evidence of the existence of the Responsive One (Al-Mujeeb), but unanswered prayers do not serve as proof against His existence. The wise, responsive Creator may choose not to grant certain requests due to divine wisdom that may be hidden from us.

To illustrate this, let us consider the relationship between a parent and their child. A loving parent does not grant their child everything they ask for—not due to inability or lack of love, but because wisdom sometimes requires refraining from fulfilling certain requests for the child’s own benefit. A child may ask for something harmful or unsuitable, so the wise parent chooses to withhold it out of love and care.

This understanding strengthens our faith that Allah is Near, All-Hearing, and Responsive, even if the answer does not manifest in the way we imagine. Allah, in His infinite wisdom, knows what is best for His servants and chooses what benefits them the most. Therefore, unanswered prayers are not evidence against Allah’s existence but rather proof of His wisdom and mercy in preventing harm and providing what is good and beneficial for us.

Final Reflections on the Proof of Answered Supplications

The proof of answered supplications as evidence of Allah’s existence is a powerful and tangible reality witnessed daily in human life. The act of supplication—those sincere moments when a person stands before Allah, expressing their needs and hopes—reflects humanity’s innate dependence on Him at all times.

This profound proof, confirmed through sensory experience and mutawatir reports from people worldwide, clearly demonstrates Allah’s mercy and wisdom in managing the affairs of His creation. While some supplications may not appear to be answered, this does not negate Allah’s existence; instead, it reaffirms His wisdom and highlights His comprehensive knowledge and mercy in choosing what is best for His servants.

Ultimately, the proof of answered supplications is not merely an argument for Allah’s existence but also a confirmation of His divine attributes of knowledge, wisdom, and mercy. It is a call for reflection and contemplation on our relationship with Allah and an invitation to strengthen our faith by understanding the deeper meanings of supplication and divine response.