A Special Relationship with Allah Ta'ala

When we go through a difficult time, or we wish for something unlikely to obtain, there is a thought that makes our hope of achieving what we pray for weak, so we pray to Allah with lethargy. This thought is: (Many others have gone through a similar situation, and I see them better off than me, and they prayed to Allah but He did not answer them. So, it is even less likely that He will answer me). My brothers, let me share with you the answer I gave myself to this question, and I found it had a great impact on my relationship with Allah Ta'ala, and I believe it is one of the great reasons for the acceptance of supplication. The answer: (Look at your relationship with Allah Ta'ala as a special relationship that is not affected by what happens to others). Many others may have fallen into a similar or worse calamity than you, and it was not lifted from them, even though they prayed to Allah a lot, and even though they were better than you in worship and more pious. It has nothing to do with you. Pray with certainty and hope in the generosity of Allah, and do not compare yourself to others. What are the evidences for this?: 1. Comparing yourself to others (Others are better and their calamity was not lifted, so it is even less likely for me) is a form of calculation. And Allah Ta'ala says: (Verily, Allah provides for whom He wills without account). Relieving distress, fulfilling wishes, and all forms of sustenance from the Creator are not subject to calculation. 2. One of the purposes of religion is to instill in the servant hope in the mercy of Allah and to form great hope in His giving. The mentioned comparison contradicts this noble purpose. 3. If the mentioned comparison is correct, then what is the point of supplication?! I will look at others and compare, and the answer will be ready: (They did not achieve what they asked for, so it will not be achieved for me) and thus the servitude of supplication is paralyzed in many cases. 4. Look at the calamity of others to be patient as they are patient as long as you are in your calamity. But it is not right to make your relief dependent on their relief. 5. Sometimes we wait for relief for others because we feel that in that there is "proof of Allah's mercy" and His response to supplication! While the evidences of mercy and response are continuous without limit, were it not for forgetfulness and little contemplation. 6. The meaning of the special relationship is supported by a hadith narrated by Bukhari, in which our Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (...And the example of you and the Jews and the Christians is like the example of a man who employed workers, and said: Who will work for me until midday for a qirat? The Jews worked, then he said: Who will work for me from midday to afternoon? The Christians worked, then you (the Muslims) work from afternoon to sunset for two qirats, two qirats. They (the Jews and Christians - those who died upon monotheism before the mission of the Prophet) said: (We are more in work and less in reward?!), He said: (Did I wrong you from your right?) They said: (No), He said: (Then that is My favor, I give it to whom I will). The point of the evidence is that Allah does not wrong anyone, but He gives every doer of good more than he deserves, but He may choose people for additional favor. Note that it is called (favor) and not a right that He must give. So the Muslim can hope to be among those whom Allah Ta'ala has singled out with additional favor. 7. Those you see better off than you may not achieve what they asked for, such as the removal of calamity, because they are better than you! So He may keep their supplication for the erasure of sins and the raising of degrees, because He knows that their faith can bear it, and He gives them contentment with His decree and comfort for their hearts, and thus He has answered their supplication with what is more beneficial to them than what they asked for in reality, while He may know that there is weakness in you (your wood is green) and He has mercy on your weakness, and makes the answer to your supplication the removal of the calamity. For all of the above, pray to Allah with certainty, and make your relationship with Him special, and hope to be among those who are favored by Him, as if you say: (O Lord, I have nothing to do with so-and-so and so-and-so whose calamity was not lifted, You are more merciful to them and know what is best for them. What I know is that I am a servant of a Generous Lord whose giving has no limit, and there is no lord for me but Him, so I ask Him, He provides for whom He wills without account, so answer, O Generous).