Question No. 2976 31 August 2022 Official answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat) verified سطح محتوا: مقدماتی

Is it wrong to ask God only for a car and money in our prayers?

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Dear questioner, Master Ali Saei

Tracking code: #Q-2976

(A young woman asks)
We were sitting in the shrine of Imam Ali (AS) when a young woman sat beside me. She said, “Please pray here that, for the sake of this shrine, God will give me an SUV.” I told her I would, but said, “Isn’t the shrine of Imam Ali (AS) too special a place to ask for an SUV? Wouldn’t it be better to ask for spiritual things?” She laughed and said, “Just say your prayer, child. Don’t lecture me.” Teacher, is it wrong to ask God only for a car, money, and things like that in our prayers?

Subject category: Religious Upbringing and Family Supplication and Litany Religious education

The essence and first answer at a glance (60-word summary)

In sacred places and in the presence of God’s friends, it is fitting to ask the Divine for lofty spiritual blessings. There is nothing wrong with asking for worldly things, such as a car, but it is better to bear God’s wisdom in mind and phrase the prayer accordingly—for example, “If it is in my best interests, grant it to me.”

Answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat)

Teacher and researcher in the intellectual tradition of wisdom and the Ahl al-Bayt | Soroush Bamdadān Cultural Center

Well done!

Yes, in sacred places and in the presence of God’s friends, we should ask God for lofty things!

You advised him beautifully—bravo!

You can pray in response to his request for your prayers along these lines:

O Merciful God, if it is in his best interests, bless this person with an SUV!

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Is it wrong to ask God only for a car and money in our prayers?

The essence and first answer at a glance (60-word summary)

Answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat)

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