Parenting Perspective 

It is a natural part of childhood to be impatient and to want quick results. When a child’s duas take time to be answered, they may begin to feel ignored, which can weaken their trust. To protect their sense of hope, you can introduce small, consistent habits that gently remind them that Allah always listens, even when His answer is delayed. These practices can help them to form a connection between the act of waiting and the feelings of growth and trust, rather than with disappointment. 

Normalise the Concept of Patient Waiting 

You can gently explain to your child, ‘Sometimes when we make dua, Allah says “yes” straight away. Sometimes He says “wait,” and sometimes He has something even better saved for us.’ This simple language helps to teach them that while every dua is heard and receives a response, that response may not always be in the way that we expect. 

Encourage Them to Keep a Dua Journal 

Encourage your child to write down or draw their duas in a special notebook. Looking back over the journal a few months later can be a powerful experience, as they may see how some of their prayers were answered in beautiful and unexpected ways. This can significantly strengthen their faith and hope. 

Celebrate the Act of Asking Itself 

It is important to praise your child for the act of making dua. A comment like, ‘Masha’Allah, it makes Allah so happy that you keep asking Him for what you need. The asking itself is a beautiful act of worship,’ helps to shift their focus. They learn that the value of dua is not just in the outcome, but also in the sincere effort of turning to Allah. 

Pair the Act of Dua with Gratitude 

After making a dua for something they are waiting for, encourage your child to say ‘Alhamdulillah’ for the blessings they already have. This practice helps to balance the feeling of waiting with a sense of appreciation, which can keep their hope alive and prevent impatience from taking over. 

Share Stories of Delayed Answers 

Tell your child the story of Prophet Zakariyya, who prayed for many years for a child and was eventually blessed with Prophet Yahya in his old age. This beautiful story shows that a long period of waiting is not a sign of rejection, but is part of the unfolding of divine wisdom. 

Model Your Own Hope and Resilience 

When one of your own duas seems to be delayed, you can let your child hear you say, ‘I know that Allah hears me, and I have complete trust in His perfect timing.’ Children learn from what they see, and your own resilience will teach them how to hold on to their hope. 

With these habits, your children can learn that waiting for a dua to be answered is not an empty or passive experience; it is an active form of trust-building that keeps their hope strong and their faith alive. 

Spiritual Insight 

The Quranic Command to Never Lose Hope 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Yusuf (12), Verses 87: 

‘“…And do not despair from the (lack of knowledge of the) Spirit (Information Codes of Existence) from Allah (Almighty); indeed, it is only the nations of the extremists in disbelief who despair from the (inability to access the) Spirit (Information Codes of Existence) from  Allah (Almighty)”.’ 

This powerful verse reminds believers that despair has no place in a heart that trusts in the mercy of Allah. Teaching this to your children can help them to build a deep spiritual resilience, especially during times when their duas feel delayed. 

Prophetic Guidance on How Every Dua Is Beneficial 

It is recorded in Al Adab Al Mufrad, Hadith 710, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘No Muslim supplicates to Allah with a supplication in which there is no sin or severing of family ties, but that Allah gives him one of three things: either his supplication is answered quickly, or He stores it for him in the Hereafter, or He averts from him a similar harm.’ 

This hadith provides the beautiful and reassuring certainty that no sincere dua ever goes to waste. By pairing your child’s duas with gratitude, journaling, and hopeful reminders, you can help them to see that the period of waiting is simply a part of Allah’s perfect care for them. Over time, they will learn to hold onto hope, confident that every single one of their duas is being answered in the way that is most beneficial for them.