Explanation of the Hadith: “Nothing averts the divine decree except supplication”

Question:
What is the meaning of the hadith: “Nothing averts the divine decree except supplication”? And what is its intended message?

Answer:
The hadith: “Nothing averts the divine decree except supplication” was narrated by al-Hakim and others [al-Hakim narrated it in his Mustadrak from the hadith of Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him), and al-Tirmidhi narrated it in his Sunan 6/313 from the hadith of Salman (may Allah be pleased with him) with the wording: “Nothing averts the divine decree”]. Its meaning is that supplication is a cause for the occurrence of good, and that there are things that are decreed and tied to causes. If the cause is realized, the decree occurs; if the cause is not realized, it does not occur. If the Muslim supplicates to his Lord, good befalls him; if he does not supplicate, evil befalls him. Just as Allah made maintaining family ties a cause for a long life and severing family ties a cause for the opposite. And Allah knows best.