The Difference Between Making Du’ā with Confidence and Arrogance

Du’ā is one of the most powerful acts of worship. It is a direct conversation with Allah, an acknowledgment of our need for Him, and a means of drawing closer to Him. However, the state of our heart when making du’ā matters. There is a fine line between making du’ā with confidence and making du’ā with arrogance.

Du’ā with Confidence: Trusting in Allah

Confidence in du’ā comes from a deep certainty in Allah’s mercy, power, and wisdom. It is the belief that:

• Allah hears you – Every du’ā is recorded, and no supplication is ever wasted.

• Allah answers you – Whether immediately, later, or in a better form, no du’ā goes unanswered.

• Allah loves your du’ā – He wants you to ask Him and call upon Him in every situation.

A heart that makes du’ā with confidence is filled with:

• Tawakkul (Reliance on Allah): “My Lord’s decree is always the best for me.”

• Hope: “No matter how much I ask, His treasures are infinite.”

• Humility: “I am nothing without His mercy.”

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Call upon Allah while being certain of being answered, and know that Allah does not answer a supplication from a heedless and distracted heart.” (Tirmidhi)

This means we should make du’ā with complete faith that Allah will respond, but at the same time, we recognise that He knows what is best for us.

Du’ā with Arrogance: Demanding from Allah

Arrogance in du’ā stems from entitlement rather than humility. It manifests in thoughts like:

• “I deserve this, so Allah must give it to me.”

• “Why hasn’t Allah answered me yet? I deserve an immediate response.”

• “If I don’t get what I want, it means Allah isn’t listening.”

When we make du’ā with arrogance, we forget our position as servants of Allah. We begin to think that we are entitled to certain blessings, forgetting that everything we receive is purely from His mercy, not because we are deserving.

Allah says:

“And man prays for evil as he prays for good, and man is ever hasty.” (Qur’ān 17:11)

Sometimes, we demand things without realising they may not be good for us. True humility in du’ā means trusting that even if Allah doesn’t give us what we ask for, He is still giving us what is best.

The Balance: Confidence with Humility

A believer strikes a balance between confidence and humility in du’ā by:

• Asking with full conviction that Allah can grant it.

• Submitting to Allah’s wisdom, knowing He knows what is best.

• Acknowledging our complete dependence on Him.

• Expressing gratitude for what has already been given.

The Prophet ﷺ demonstrated this balance in every du’ā—asking with certainty, but always submitting to the will of Allah.

Make Du’ā with an Open Heart

When you raise your hands, do so with deep faith, but also with a heart that surrenders to His divine wisdom. Know that Allah loves those who turn to Him, and the greatest blessing is not just receiving what we ask for, but the nearness we gain to Him in the process.