Ibrahim ibn Adham's response provides valuable insights into the reasons why supplications may go unanswered despite Allah's promise to respond to them. Let's break down each of the eight attributes he mentioned:
1. Failure to fulfill the rights of Allah: Knowing the obligations and rights owed to Allah but neglecting to fulfill them can create a barrier between individuals and the acceptance of their supplications.
2. Reading the Quran without applying its teachings: Merely reciting the Quran without understanding or applying its guidance in one's life can lead to spiritual stagnation and hinder the effectiveness of supplications.
3. Loving the Prophet but neglecting his Sunnah: Loving the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) but neglecting to follow his teachings and example (Sunnah) undermines the sincerity of one's devotion and may result in unanswered prayers.
4. Fear of death without preparation: Fearing death without actively preparing for the Hereafter through good deeds and repentance can lead to a lack of spiritual readiness and hinder the acceptance of supplications.
5. Joining the devil in disobedience: Knowing that Satan is an enemy but engaging in disobedience and sinful behavior aligns individuals with their adversary and distances them from Allah's mercy and acceptance of supplications.
6. Destroying one's body despite fearing Hell: Fearing the punishment of Hell but neglecting to take care of one's physical and mental well-being through healthy habits and avoidance of harmful practices can hinder the effectiveness of supplications.
7. Desiring Paradise without striving for it: Longing for Paradise without actively striving to attain it through righteous deeds and obedience to Allah's commands may result in unfulfilled supplications.
8. Ignoring personal faults while focusing on others' shortcomings: Neglecting to address one's own faults and sins while fixating on the faults of others creates spiritual blindness and impedes the sincerity and acceptance of supplications.
Reflecting on these attributes can serve as a reminder for individuals to assess their spiritual state, rectify their shortcomings, and approach supplications with sincerity, humility, and obedience to Allah's commands.
So you arouse Allah’s (subhanahu wa ta'ala) anger and then wonder why your prayers aren’t answered!
If we are disobeying Allaah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), how can we expect that our supplications get answered by Him ?
Remember, Allaah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) did not created us aimlessly, and in Quran, Allaah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) says, Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you (mankind) would not be returned?" {23:115}
It was for a purpose. And also Allaah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) does not benefit from our good deeds; it is we ourselves who benefit. And likewise, Allaah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) is not harmed in any way by our wicked ways; it is we ourselves who face the consequences of our actions. There can be no meaningful life better than that prescribed by our Creator, Allaah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) and by following His commandments our supplications will be answered.
May Allaah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) guide us all to straight path, and grant us Aljannah Firdaws.