By Imam ibn al-Jawzi | Tayyibaat

WHEN a calamity befalls the believer, he begins making duaa constantly, but he may not see any sign of a response for some time. When he is close to despair, Allah looks into his heart to see if he is pleased and content with the Decree, and not hopeless or discouraged. If this is his situation, then the response comes quickly because this contentment and pleasure in Allah’s Decree is what reforms and fixes the eman, and it destroys Shaytan. And during that moment when the believer is close to despair is when the real men are determined.

This is seen in the statement of Allah azza wa jal:

حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ
‘..Until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said,”When is the help of Allah ?” (2:214)

And this is what occurred with Ya’qub alayhi salaam - after he lost two children, he did not despair, rather he said:

عَسَى اللَّهُ أَن يَأْتِيَنِي بِهِمْ جميعا
“Perhaps Allah will bring them to me all together.” (12:83)

And likewise with Zakariyyah alayhi salaam - he did not despair even with old age from having children:

وَلَمْ أَكُن بِدُعَائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا
“and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy.” (19:4)

So, be aware of why the response is delayed! Understand that He is The Master, and that He is The Most Wise in planning, and Most Knowing of what will lead to the reformation of His slaves. Know that He wants to put you through trials to test what you hide in your heart, and that He wants to see your humility, and that He wants to reward you for your patience. Know that He wants to test you with a delay in response so that you can fight the whispers of Shaytan.

Indeed every one of these things strengthens the recognition of His Favors and leads to being thankful to Him. Thus when the trial begins, the supplications lengthened, and the one in hardship shows his need and takes refuge in Allah - he will be content with everything.