What is meant by the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "There are two times when supplication is not rejected: during the Adhan and when rain falls"? And does "supplication not being rejected" mean that what the Muslim supplicated for will occur, or that a tribulation will be averted from him, or that it will be stored for him until the Day of Resurrection?

There are virtuous times when supplications are answered, among them are the last third of the night, immediately after the prescribed prayers, at the call to prayer (adhan), when ranks clash in jihad, when rain falls, and in the state of prostration (sujud). The supplicant must observe the etiquettes of supplication to fulfill the conditions for its acceptance and remove its impediments. Supplication is like a weapon that requires a strong arm and the absence of any barrier. If any of these three is missing, the effect will be missing. So, if the supplicant observes the etiquettes of supplication, intends its virtuous times, distances himself from sins, and has a good opinion of Allah, then his supplication is worthy of being answered.

Allah's response to supplication is of three types: either the supplication is hastened in this life, or it is stored as reward in the Hereafter, or evil is averted from the supplicant in an equivalent manner. Every supplicant is answered, but the answer varies; it may be exactly what was supplicated for, or something in its place. If the answer is delayed, it may be due to a defect in the conditions of supplication, such as unlawful earnings, haste, or the supplication being for something sinful, or it may be due to divine wisdom or a benefit for the servant. Persistence in supplication, having a good opinion of Allah, and not despairing are among the greatest reasons for supplication to be answered.