Imaam Ibn Qayyim said:
Supplications and fortifications are
like a sword and (the impact of a) sword depends on the swordsman, not purely its
blade. Therefore, if a sword is perfect without any flaw, the forearm aids the
strength and obstruction is nonexistent; it causes subdual for the enemy.
However,
if one of these three things is lacking, the effect will be lacking. Therefore,
if a supplication is not appropriate on its own, or the supplicant did not
combine between his heart and his tongue in the supplication or there was a
hindrance to the acceptance, the effect will not take place.
Source: Al-Jawaab al-Kaafee Liman Sa’ala ‘an
ad-Dawaa’ ash-Shaafee by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah
