Praise be to Allah,
Ismaa’eel ibn Ibraaheem narrated to us from ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Shuhayb from Anas ibn Maalik who said that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be on him) said,
“When any one of you invokes Allah [for something], he should be firm in his supplication and must not say: ‘0 Allah, give me [such-and-such] if You will,’ for nobody can force Allah to do something against His will.”
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 101. The isnaad of this hadeeth is Saheeh. according to the conditions set by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.)
Commentary
When a person invokes he should show a sense of determination and resolve, that is, he should not make the answer of his supplication hinge upon Allah’s will, by saying, “0 Allah, give me such-and-such if you will.” Instead one should show resolve, being sure that will certainly answer his supplication. By demonstrating such determination he shows that he places his trust in Allah who can do whatever He wi1ls without being prevented by anyone or anything in the heavens and the earth.
Source:
Thulaathiyyaat Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reports of Imaam Ahmad that have only three narrators between him and the Prophet, peace, and blessings be upon him.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Saalim as–Saffaareenee al–Hanbalee ~(1114 –1188 AH)