Shame & guilt

Do not say if You wish

The Prophet ﷺ corrected the way people were asking.

إِذَا دَعَا أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَعْزِمِ الْمَسْأَلَةَ، وَلاَ يَقُولَنَّ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ شِئْتَ فَأَعْطِنِي. فَإِنَّهُ لاَ مُسْتَكْرِهَ لَهُ

None of you should say: O Allah, forgive me if You wish. Let him be firm in his asking, for no one compels Him.

Asking tentatively is a way of protecting yourself from disappointment. He ﷺ told them not to. Ask plainly, because nothing is difficult for the One being asked.

The full narration

Narrated Anas:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "When anyone of you appeal to Allah for something, he should ask with determination and should not say, 'O Allah, if You wish, give me.', for nobody can force Allah to do something against His Will

Source

Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī · 6338

Ṣaḥīḥ
  • Agreed upon as authentic (al-Bukhārī / Muslim)
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