What can I say when my child feels disappointed that prayers were not answered? 

Parenting Perspective 

Explain That the Answer May Be Different 

Children naturally expect quick results when they make Dua. When they do not receive what they asked for, they may feel disappointed or think that Allah Almighty is not listening. This is a tender moment to teach your child that prayers are always heard, but sometimes the answer is different from what they expect. Use simple words: ‘When you make Dua, Allah Almighty always hears you. Sometimes He gives you exactly what you ask for. Sometimes He gives you something better, or He protects you from something you cannot see.’ 

Listen and Help Them See the Bigger Picture 

Listen calmly when your child says, ‘I prayed, but nothing happened.’ Avoid brushing it off. Instead, ask, ‘What did you ask for? How do you feel about it?’ Gently explain that not getting what they want does not mean their Dua is wasted. Share small examples they can understand; perhaps they asked for a toy but instead received more family time or something better later on. Talk about your own moments of feeling disappointed but later realising that Allah Almighty had a kinder plan. Praise your child for making Dua at all; this builds their trust that asking is part of hope, not a guarantee of getting exactly what they pictured. Over time, they will learn to keep asking while trusting in Allah Almighty’s wisdom. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches us that every Dua is heard and rewarded, even if the answer does not come in the way we expect. Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verse 216: 

‘…And perhaps that which you are repelled by (may in fact) be for your betterment; and perhaps that thing which you love to undertake, and that might be bad for you; and (the reality is that) Allah (Almighty) is fully aware of everything that you do not know.‘

Sharing this Ayah reminds your child that what feels like disappointment may hide a blessing they cannot yet see. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 3604d, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘There is no Muslim who makes Dua, not containing any sin or severing of family ties, but Allah gives him one of three things: either He will answer his Dua quickly, or He will store it up for him in the Hereafter, or He will avert something bad from him equal to it. ‘

Encourage your child to say a simple prayer when they feel let down: ‘Ya Allah, I trust You know what is best for me.’ These small seeds of faith help them to grow in hope and patience, teaching them that Allah Almighty’s plan is always kinder than what they can imagine.