“Bear in mind that Allah the Almighty is supremely Independent. His attention is not drawn until one prays to Him abundantly and repeatedly with profound distress [iztirab]. Consider the intense anguish one experiences when a spouse or child falls ill, or when ensnared in a severe legal matter. Thus, unless and until there develops a genuine restlessness and a state of anguish in supplication, it remains an utterly ineffective and absurd endeavour. Iztirab is a prerequisite for acceptance [of prayers] as Allah says:
اَمَّنۡ یُّجِیۡبُ الۡمُضۡطَرَّ اِذَا دَعَاہُ وَیَکۡشِفُ السُّوۡٓءَ
“[‘Or, Who answers the distressed person when he calls upon Him, and removes the evil.’ (Surah an-Naml, Ch. 27: V. 63)].”
(Malfuzat [English], Vol. 10, pp. 179-180)
