Many religious traditions emphasize the belief that God responds to the adʿiyah (supplications) of those who invoke him. The Qurʾān clearly affirms that Allāh (God) answers those who call upon him. Notably, Islām teaches that even the duʿā (supplication) of a kāfir (disbeliever) may be accepted under certain circumstances.

Anas ibn Mālik reported that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said, "Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, even if he is an unbeliever, for there is nothing to block it" (Musnad Aḥmad 12549).

Some argue that Allāh does not exist or is indifferent to the cries of his creation because many people beseech him but do not receive what they ask for. Such objections can be raised against Islām or any religion that teaches that God responds to supplications. The Islāmic response is that while Allāh is indeed capable of answering all adʿiyah, not every request is granted in the precise manner or timing requested. According to Islām, there are various reasons why a duʿā may not be accepted or may be delayed.

For instance, if a person's food, drink, sustenance, or clothing are acquired through ḥarām (unlawful) means, then such a person's supplications may not be accepted (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1015). Furthermore, if a person invokes Allāh but then remarks, "I called upon Allāh but received no response," then this attitude is considered a form of hastiness and impatience. This attitude can itself be a reason for one's duʿā to be rejected (Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Bukhārī 6340). To supplicate for sin, such as asking to cut off family ties, is also rejected (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2735) [1]. Additionally, the fulfillment of one's duʿā may not be immediate but may take some time (Jāmiʿ At-Tirmidhī 3598). Moreover, one's duʿā may instead be replaced with something better in the ākhirah (hereafter), or Allāh will prevent some evil from the supplicant (Jāmiʿ At-Tirmidhī 3573).

Therefore, it is a strawman to claim that Allāh does not exist or is indifferent to human pleas because supplications are not always answered in the exact manner or timing that individuals desire. Islām does not teach that all supplications who pray will receive precisely what they ask for, exactly when they ask for it. Rather, Islām maintains that supplications are answered in ways that align with divine wisdom, which may include denying the request due to it constituting sin, granting the request, delaying it, substituting it with something better, or withholding it for reasons ultimately beneficial to the supplicant.

[1] Islām may deem it permissible or even obligatory to cut off family ties in some situations, but it is generally impermissible. Furthermore, it is only a general rule that a person who supplicates for sin will have his supplication rejected, but if a person persistently seeks something sinful and prays for it and then receives what was requested, this should not be mistaken as a sign of Allāh's approval. Allāh's granting of such a request may serve as a test, lesson, or punishment for this individual.