I am a Muslim girl living in the US and have been in great emotional turmoil recently. My fiancé of 6 months decided to leave me for reasons that are mysterious to me. I have been praying to Allah to give me peace and make him return to me because I love him. Our engagement was arranged by our families, and I can’t understand why he changed his mind. The reason that I am taking this so hard is that my sisters and my mother and I have had a very difficult life. My mother is a very pious Muslim but for some reason her prayers never get answered. I feel like mine don’t either and this is not the only instance that my du’a has gone unanswered. I am wondering if Allah only answers the prayers of certain good people or am I saying my du’a wrong. Please advise. I am really sad and feel like Allah has abandoned my family and me too. Thank you.

Dear Sister,


May Allah bless you and your family with steadfastness and patience, and ease your distress. We pray that He will increase your iman and faith that He hears your supplications and Knows what is best for you as well as all of His creatures.


You mentioned that you are in great emotional turmoil due to your finance for mysterious reasons breaking the engagement arranged by your families. It is quite understandable that you would be upset under these circumstances. Seeking relief from Allah is certainly commendable when the difficulties of life come upon us. We need comforting and guidance to ease our pain and to show us the correct way to deal with our troubles, particularly when our hearts are aching from a broken love relationship.


It is quite natural also to ask Allah to return the loved one to us because we believe that is the best way to remove our pain and bring us happiness. BUT, is it always best for the relationship to be renewed? Allah knows what is best for His servants. He knows whether it is best for you and your young man to be reunited.


Allah loves for His servants to ask of Him and that they turn toward Him, showing their despair and humility before Him. Allah has promised that He will not return His servant’s supplications without a response, leaving him disappointed and empty-handed. His Prophet Muhammad has informed us: “There is not a Muslim upon the earth who calls upon Allah with a supplication except that Allah gives it to him, or He removes some evil of equal proportion from him, so long as he does not supplicate for something sinful or to sever family ties.” Allah also answers supplications in other ways; He may increase a person’s good deeds in the Hereafter as a response to His prayers here.


Allah has blessed you with a very pious mother; may you be a joy and comfort to one another in all conditions.


As a final word, if your young man did not explain his reasons for breaking the engagement to your satisfaction, perhaps it is better that you not know the truth, whatever it may be. Trust that Allah knows, and He knows how best to answer our supplications.


May we trust in Allah as the best Disposer of all of our affairs. He knows what happens to His creatures in this world and the next.