Question Summary:
Is it advisable to vow to do something if Allah grants you what you asked for? i.e. I will give charity or perform such & such if Allah grants me a suitable job. Is there any benefit in vowing like a quicker way of one’s duaas getting accepted.

Question Detail:

Is it advisable to vow to do something if Allah grants you what you asked for? i.e. I will give charity or perform such & such if Allah grants me a suitable job. Is there any benefit in vowing like a quicker way of one's duaas getting accepted.

Answer :

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
 Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم prohibited from making vows. Nabiصلى الله عليه و س لم said: 
عن ابن عمر - رضى الله عنهما - قال نهى النبى - صلى الله عليه وسلم - عن النذر قال « إنه لا يرد شيئا ، وإنما يستخرج به من البخيل » صحيح البخارى 6608 و مسلم 4327
“Vows do not change anything (destiny). It merely makes a miser spend”.
The above quoted hadith is an expression of the attitude of a miserly and selfish person. He spends only to have his own wish fulfilled. If he does not have a wish, he would not give charity.  This attitude is discouraged. If one has wealth, he should give charity and not confine giving charity to ones wishes and vows being accepted.
Hereunder are other ways of having our duas and wishes accepted.
a) The most essential key for the acceptance of our duas is to give up sin. One should sincerely repent for his past and make a strong intention not to return to sin. Allah Ta’ala says:
ومن يتق الله يجعل له مخرجا (الطلاق 2)
Whoever fears Allah, He brings forth a way out for him. [65:2]
b) One should also be punctual with five time salah daily in the masjid (for males). It is the promise of Allah Ta’ala to accept the prayers of his servants. Allah Ta’ala says:
 
وقال ربكم ادعوني أستجب لكم إن الذين يستكبرون عن عبادتي سيدخلون جهنم داخرين ،
[سورة غافر: 60]
Your Lord has said, ―Call Me, I will respond to you. Definitely those who show arrogance against worshipping Me shall enter Jahannam (Hell) with disgrace. [40:60]
c) One should also give charity according to ones means. Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم quotes Allah Ta’ala as saying:
صحيح مسلم - 2355
عن أبى هريرة يبلغ به النبى -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قال « قال الله تبارك وتعالى يا ابن آدم أنفق أنفق عليك ».
 
“O son of Adam: spend (in my path) and I will spend on you”
d) One should consistently make dua and not become despondent. Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم informed us of special times when duas are accepted. Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم said: 
عن أبى هريرة أن رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قال « ينزل الله إلى السماء الدنيا كل ليلة حين يمضى ثلث الليل الأول فيقول أنا الملك من ذا الذى يدعونى فأستجيب له من ذا الذى يسألنى فأعطيه من ذا الذى يستغفرنى فأغفر له فلا يزال كذلك حتى يضىء الفجر ». سنن الترمذى 448
 
Allah Ta’ala descends every night after one third has passed and proclaims “I am the king. Who is there to call unto Me so I may respond to his call. Who is there to ask of Me so I may give him. Who is there to seek forgiveness so I may forgive him?” This call continues right up until dawn. (Tirmidhi 448)
In another narration Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم informs us that the duas after fardh prayers are readily accepted.
 
عن أبى أمامة قال قيل يا رسول الله أى الدعاء أسمع قال « جوف الليل الآخر ودبر الصلوات المكتوبات ». قال هذا حديث حسن. سنن الترمذى – 3838
 
In another narration of Tirmidhi 483 Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم explains that after salah one should first recite Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest) ten times, then Alhamdulillah (all praises are for Allah) ten times then Subhanallah (glory be to Allah) ten times and then he should ask Allah Ta’ala Allah Ta’ala says Yes (i.e. I have accepted )
 
عن أنس بن مالك أن أم سليم غدت على النبى -صلى الله عليه وسلم- فقالت علمنى كلمات أقولهن فى صلاتى. فقال « كبرى الله عشرا وسبحى الله عشرا واحمديه عشرا ثم سلى ما شئت يقول نعم نعم » سنن الترمذى 483
And Allah knows best
Wassalam
Ml. Ishaq E. Moosa,
Student Darul Iftaa
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah