What is the meaning of Allah's answering of supplications, and how do I know that my supplication has been answered? If the answer is in the form of storing good deeds or averting evil, do I lose hope in attaining what I supplicated for? And is this considered an objection to Allah's decree?

The response to a supplication comes in one of three ways: either Allah hastens the fulfillment of the supplication, or He stores it for the Hereafter, or He diverts from him an equivalent amount of evil. The supplicant should strive to avoid the reasons that prevent the acceptance of supplications, then have a good opinion of Allah, and not despair of achieving his desire. Let him consider the supplication, along with his commitment to having a good opinion of Allah and not despairing, regardless of how long the response is delayed.