Selected authentic narrations from the book

Virtues of Invoking Allaah’s Commendation for the Prophet

(may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection)

by al-Imaam Ismaa‘eel ibn Is-haaq al-Jahdamee al-Qaadee (199-282h)
using the critical edition prepared by ash-Shaykh Muhammad Naasir ad-Deen al-Albaanee

[🔊 Audio]

See also

manaratalharamain.gov.sa/sp/164757504

[1] قَالَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ]: إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خَرَجَ عَلَيْهِمْ يَوْمًا يَعْرِفُونَ الْبِشْرَ فِي وَجْهِهِ، فَقَالُوا: إِنَّا نَعْرِفُ الْآنَ فِي وَجْهِكَ الْبِشْرَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ! قَالَ: «أَجَلْ، أَتَانِي الْآنَ آتٍ مِنْ رَبِّي فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَنَّهُ لَنْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَيَّ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أُمَّتِي إِلَّا رَدَّهَا اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ عَشْرَ أَمْثَالِهَا».

[1] Aboo Talhah [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated that Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) came out to the Companions one day and they recognized a new type[1] of happiness upon his face, so they said, “Messenger of Allaah, there is a new type of happiness that we recognize upon your face at present!” He replied, “What you have said is true. A messenger just came to me from my Lord and informed me that whenever any individual among my Ummah invokes Allaah to mention me with commendation, Allaah will grant that individual in return ten times what he asked for me.”

Comments:

[1] See Thakheerah al-‘Uqbaa (15/97).

[6] عَنْ [عَامِرِ بْنِ رَبِيعَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يُصَلِّي عَلَيَّ إِلَّا صَلَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ مَا صَلَّى عَلَيَّ، فَلْيُقِلَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَوْ لِيُكْثِرْ».

[6] [‘Aamir ibn Rabee‘ah (may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: I heard the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) say, “Any worshipping servant of Allaah who invokes Allaah to mention me with commendation will have the angels invoke Allaah to mention him with commendation for as long as he continues invoking Allaah’s commendation for me. Therefore, an individual may choose to do that as little or as much as he wants, and he will be recompensed accordingly.”[1]

Comments:

[1] See Murshid Thawil-Hijaa (6/116).

[7] عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] قَالَ: أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَهُوَ سَاجِدٌ فَأَطَالَ السُّجُودَ، قَالَ: «أَتَانِي جِبْرِيلُ، قَالَ: مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيْكَ صَلَّيْتُ عَلَيْهِ، وَمَنْ سَلَّمَ عَلَيْكَ سَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ، فَسَجَدْتُ لِلَّهِ شُكْرًا».

[7] ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] said: I once came to the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) while he was in prostration and he stayed that way for a long time. Afterwards, he said, “Jibreel came to me and said, ‘If anyone invokes Allaah to mention you with commendation, I will invoke Allaah to mention that person with commendation; and if anyone invokes Allaah to grant you protection, I will invoke Allaah to grant that person protection.’[1] As a result, I bowed down in prostration to Allaah out of gratitude to Him.”

Comments:

[1] Other narrations of this hadeeth mention that Jibreel had said, “Your Lord stated, ‘If anyone invokes Me to mention you with commendation, I will mention that individual with commendation as well; and if anyone invokes Me to grant you protection, I will grant that individual protection as well’.” See: Irwaa’ al-Ghaleel (2/228), Thakheerah al-‘Uqbaa (15/98), Fadl as-Salaah (ed. ‘Abdul-Haqq, p. 102).

[8] عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ، صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ عَشْرًا».

[8] Aboo Hurayrah [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “If anyone invokes Allaah to mention me with commendation, Allaah will mention that person with commendation ten times.”

[9] عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ وَاحِدَةً، صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ عَشْرًا».

[9] Aboo Hurayrah [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “If anyone invokes Allaah to mention me with commendation once, Allaah will mention that person with commendation ten times.”

[11] عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ عَشْرَ حَسَنَاتٍ».

[11] Aboo Hurayrah [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “If anyone invokes Allaah to mention me with commendation just one single time, Allaah would record ten righteous deeds for that person.”

[14] عَنْ [أُبَيِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَخْرُجُ فِي ثُلُثَيِ اللَّيْلِ فَيَقُولُ: «جَاءَتِ الرَّاجِفَةُ، تَتْبَعُهَا الرَّادِفَةُ، جَاءَ الْمَوْتُ بِمَا فِيهِ»، وَقَالَ أُبَيٌّ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنِّي أُصَلِّي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ، أَفَأَجْعَلُ لَكَ ثُلُثَ صَلَاتِي؟ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «الشَّطْرَ». قَالَ: أَفَأَجْعَلُ لَكَ شَطْرَ صَلَاتِي؟ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «الثُّلُثَانِ أَكْثَرُ». قَالَ: أَفَأَجْعَلُ لَكَ صَلَاتِي كُلَّهَا؟ [قَالَ:] «إِذَنْ يُغْفَرُ لَكَ ذَنْبُكَ كُلُّهُ».

[14] [Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) would go out when two thirds of the night had passed and say in a voice that people could hear, “The time is near for the reverberating blow of the horn at which point the Earth will quake and all creatures will pass away, and it will be followed by another blow of the horn at which point all creatures will be restored to life once more. The time is near for death along with all that it brings.”[1] Ubayy asked, “Messenger of Allaah, I pray during some of the night, so should I dedicate a third of the time which I use for my supplications to invoke Allaah to mention you with commendation?”[2] Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) replied, “Half.” Ubayy asked, “Should I then dedicate half of that time to invoke Allaah to mention you with commendation?” Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) replied, “Two thirds is even more.” Ubayy asked, “Should I then dedicate all of that time to invoke Allaah to mention you with commendation?” He replied, “If you did that, all of your sins would be forgiven.”

[Another narration[3] has the wording:

«إِذَنْ يَكْفِيكَ اللَّهُ هَمَّ الدُّنْيَا وَهَمَّ الْآخِرَةِ».

“In that case, Allaah would suffice you in attaining all you aspire for in this world and all you aspire for in the hereafter.”][4]

Comments:

[1] The Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) would do that in order to alert those among the Companions who were still sleeping at that time, so they could awaken and then engage themselves in prayer and mention of Allaah. He would remind them that death and the Final Hour are near, in order to emphasize the importance of making necessary preparations for the hereafter. See Mirqaah al-Mafaateeh (no. 5351), Tuhfah al-Ahwathee (no. 2457).

[2] See at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb (no. 2437), Mirqaah al-Mafaateeh (no. 929).

[3] See Fadl as-Salaah (no. 13).

[4] See Mirqaah al-Mafaateeh (no. 5351), Tuhfah al-Ahwathee (no. 2457).

[16] عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «رَغِمَ أَنْفُ رَجُلٍ ذُكِرْتُ عِنْدَهُ فَلَمْ يُصَلِّ عَلَيَّ، وَرَغِمَ أَنْفُ رَجُلٍ أَدْرَكَ أَبَوَيْهِ عِنْدَ الْكِبَرِ فَلَمْ يُدْخِلَاهُ الْجَنَّةَ، وَرَغِمَ أَنْفُ رَجُلٍ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَمَضَانُ ثُمَّ انْسَلَخَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُغْفَرَ لَهُ».

[16] Aboo Hurayrah [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “May an individual be disgraced if I am mentioned in his presence yet he does not invoke Allaah to mention me with commendation. May an individual be disgraced if he is alive while his two parents are elderly yet he is not admitted to Jannah due to the two of them. May an individual be disgraced if Ramadaan comes to him and then[1] departs before he attains forgiveness.”

Comments:

[1] See Mirqaah al-Mafaateeh (no. 928).

[18] عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ رَقِيَ الْمِنْبَرَ فَقَالَ: «آمِينَ، آمِينَ، آمِينَ»، فَقِيلَ لَهُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، مَا كُنْتَ تَصْنَعُ هَذَا. فَقَالَ: «قَالَ لِي جِبْرِيلُ: رَغِمَ أَنْفُ عَبْدٍ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَمَضَانُ لَمْ يُغْفَرْ لَهُ. فَقُلْتُ: آمِينَ. ثُمَّ قَالَ: رَغِمَ أَنْفُ عَبْدٍ أَدْرَكَ أَبَوَيْهِ أَوْ أَحَدَهُمَا لَمْ يُدْخِلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ. فَقُلْتُ: آمِينَ. ثُمَّ قَالَ: رَغِمَ أَنْفُ عَبْدٍ ذُكِرْتَ عِنْدَهُ فَلَمْ يُصِلِّ عَلَيْكَ. فَقُلْتُ: آمِينَ».

[18] Aboo Hurayrah [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) ascended the minbar and said, “Aameen. Aameen. Aameen.”[1] He was asked, “Messenger of Allaah, this is something you had not done before. What made you do it?”[2] He replied, “Jibreel said to me, ‘May a servant of Allaah be disgraced if Ramadaan comes to him yet he does not attain forgiveness’, so I said, ‘Aameen (I implore Allaah to respond).’ He then said to me, ‘May a servant of Allaah be disgraced if he is alive at the same time as one or both of his parents, yet he is not admitted to Jannah due to that’, so I said, ‘Aameen.’ He then said to me, ‘May a servant of Allaah be disgraced if you are mentioned in his presence yet he does not invoke Allaah to mention you with commendation’, so I said, ‘Aameen’.”

Comments:

[1] See Hadaa’iq ar-Rawh war-Rayhaan (1/88).

[2] See Fadl as-Salaah (no. 19), Sharh Saheeh al-Adab al-Mufrad (2/300).

[20] عَنْ [عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] أَنَّهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا تَجْعَلُوا قَبْرِي عِيدًا، وَلَا تَجْعَلُوا بُيُوتَكُمْ قُبُورًا، وَصَلُّوا عَلَيَّ وَسَلِّمُوا حَيْثُمَا كُنْتُمْ، فَسَيَبْلُغُنِي سَلَامُكُمْ وَصَلَاتُكُمْ».

[20] [‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “Do not make my burial site a place of gathering or frequent visitation, and do not make your homes graves[1]. However, do invoke Allaah to grant me commendation and protection, wherever you may be. The protection and commendation you invoke Allaah to grant me will reach me.”

Comments:

[1] One explanation scholars have given for this expression is that it means people must not neglect to mention Allaah and perform optional prayers in their homes. This is because failing to do so likens an individual’s home to a grave and it likens the individual himself to a deceased person, since the deceased do not perform acts of worship in their graves. Another explanation is that it conveys the prohibition of burying the deceased in one’s home. A further explanation is that it conveys the prohibition of making graveyards one’s “home” by frequenting them so much that they cause one to either become overly preoccupied by death such that he ends up neglecting his responsibilities in life, or become desensitized to death such that his heart hardens and is no longer affected by admonition. See Mirqaah al-Mafaateeh (2/601, 744), Fath al-Baaree (1/529), al-Bahr al-Muheet ath-Thajjaaj (16/151).

[21] عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ - هُوَ ابْنُ مَسْعُودٍ - [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «إِنَّ لِلَّهِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَلَائِكَةً سَيَّاحِينَ يُبَلِّغُونِي مِنْ أُمَّتِي السَّلَامَ».

[21] ‘Abdullaah – meaning ibn Mas‘ood – [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] narrated that the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “Allaah certainly has angels upon the Earth who travel throughout it. They convey to me the protection that my Ummah invokes Allaah to grant me.”

[22] عَنْ أَوْسِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «إِنَّ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ أَيَّامِكُمْ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ - فِيهِ خُلِقَ آدَمُ، وَفِيهِ قُبِضَ، وَفِيهِ النَّفْخَةُ، وَفِيهِ الصَّعْقَةُ - فَأَكْثِرُوا عَلَيَّ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ فَإِنَّ صَلَاتَكُمْ مَعْرُوضَةٌ عَلَيَّ». قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، كَيْفَ تُعْرَضُ عَلَيْكَ صَلَاتُنَا وَقَدْ أَرِمْتَ؟ - يَقُولُونَ: قَدْ بَلِيتَ - قَالَ: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ أَنْ تَأْكُلَ أَجْسَادَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ».

[22] Aws ibn Aws [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “Indeed, Friday is among the most virtuous of your days. Aadam was created on it, he passed away on it, the Horn will be blown on it, and the loud blast of sound which causes all people to pass away at the end of this world will take place on it. Therefore, since Friday is among the most virtuous of days,[1] you must invoke Allaah much during it to mention me with commendation because that will be presented[2] to me.” The Companions present asked, “Messenger of Allaah, how will the commendation we invoke Allaah to grant you be presented to you after your body has disintegrated into the earth?” He replied, “Allaah has indeed forbidden the earth from consuming the bodies of the Prophets.”

Comments:

[1] See at-Tanweer (4/126), Thakheerah al-‘Uqbaa (16/90).

[2] See Thakheerah al-‘Uqbaa (16/94).

[31] عَنِ [الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا] أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «إِنَّ الْبَخِيلَ لَمَنْ ذُكِرْتُ عِنْدَهُ فَلَمْ يُصَلِّ عَلَيَّ».

[31] [al-Husayn ibn ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “The miserly individual is certainly the one in whose presence I am mentioned yet he does not invoke Allaah to mention me with commendation.”

[43] قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ نَسِيَ الصَّلَاةَ عَلَيَّ خَطِئَ طَرِيقَ الْجَنَّةِ».

[43] Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “Anyone who forsakes[1] invoking Allaah to mention me with commendation has strayed from the path leading to Jannah.”

[Another narration has the wording:

«خَطِئَ أَبْوَابَ الْجَنَّةِ».

“strayed from the gates of Jannah.”][2]

Comments:

[1] See at-Tanweer (10/413), Murshid Thawil-Hijaa (6/118).

[2] See Fadl as-Salaah (no. 41), ibn Maajah (no. 908), Murshid Thawil-Hijaa (6/118).

[49] [عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ]: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ الْوَسِيلَةَ دَرَجَةٌ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ لَيْسَ فَوْقَهَا دَرَجَةٌ، فَسَلُوا اللَّهَ أَنْ يُؤْتِيَنِيَ الْوَسِيلَةَ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ».

[49] Aboo Sa‘eed al-Khudree [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “al-Waseelah is a rank with Allaah, and there is no rank higher than it. Therefore, beseech Allaah to favour me over all other people by granting me the rank of al-Waseelah.”

[50] عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا] قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ أَوْ سَأَلَ لِيَ الْوَسِيلَةَ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ شَفَاعَتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ».

[50] ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr [(may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “If a person invokes Allaah to mention me with commendation or beseeches Allaah to grant me the rank known as al-Waseelah, that person will be entitled to my intercession on the Day of Resurrection.”

[Another narration of this hadeeth has the wording:

«إِذَا سَمِعْتُمُ الْمُؤَذِّنَ، فَقُولُوا مِثْلَ مَا يَقُولُ، ثُمَّ صَلُّوا عَلَيَّ؛ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ صَلَاةً صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ بِهَا عَشْرًا. ثُمَّ سَلُوا اللهَ لِيَ الْوَسِيلَةَ؛ فَإِنَّهَا مَنْزِلَةٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ لَا تَنْبَغِي إِلَّا لِعَبْدٍ مِنْ عِبَادِ اللهِ، وَأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ أَنَا هُوَ. فَمَنْ سَأَلَ لِيَ الْوَسِيلَةَ حَلَّتْ لَهُ الشَّفَاعَةُ».

“When you hear the mu’ath-thin, say the same as what he says. Following that, invoke Allaah to mention me with commendation; since when anyone invokes Allaah to mention me with commendation once, Allaah will mention that person with commendation ten times as a result. After that, beseech Allaah to grant me al-Waseelah, since it is a rank in Jannah which is only fit for – and will only be granted to – one single individual among all of Allaah’s worshipping servants,[1] and I hope that I will be that individual. If a person beseeches Allaah to grant me al-Waseelah, that person will be entitled to my intercession.”][2]

Comments:

[1] See Mirqaah al-Mafaateeh (no. 657), al-Kawkab al-Wahhaaj (7/32), al-Bahr al-Muheet ath-Thajjaaj (9/108).

[2] See Saheeh Muslim (no. 384).

[52] [عَنْ طَاوُسٍ] قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا] يَقُولُ: «اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ شَفَاعَةَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْكُبْرَى، وَارْفَعْ دَرَجَتَهُ الْعُلْيَا، وَأَعْطِهِ سُؤْلَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ وَالْأُولَى كَمَا آتَيْتَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى عَلَيْهِمُ [الصَّلَاةُ وَ] السَّلَامُ».

[52] [Taawoos] stated: I heard ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with both of them) supplicate, “O Allaah, I implore You to accept the greatest intercession of Muhammad, raise his elevated rank, and grant his requests in the end and the beginning just as You granted the requests of Ibraaheem and Moosaa, may Allaah [mention all of them with commendation and] grant them protection”.

[54] عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَا جَلَسَ قَوْمٌ مَجْلِسًا لَمْ يَذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ، وَلَمْ يُصَلُّوا عَلَى نَبِيِّهِمْ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، إِلَّا كَانَ مَجْلِسُهُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ تِرَةً يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، إِنْ شَاءَ عَفَا عَنْهُمْ وَإِنْ شَاءَ أَخَذَهُمْ».

[54] Aboo Hurayrah [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “Any time a group of people sit together without mentioning Allaah and without invoking Allaah to grant commendation to their Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), their gathering will inevitably be a source of deprivation and regret for them on the Day of Resurrection. If Allaah wills, He would pardon them; and if He wills, He would punish them.”

[56] عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى، عَنْ كَعْبِ بْنِ عُجْرَةَ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ: أَلَا أُهْدِي لَكَ هَدِيَّةً؟ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا. قَالَ: فَقُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَدْ عَلِمْنَا كَيْفَ نُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْكَ، فَكَيْفَ نُصَلِّي عَلَيْكَ؟ قَالَ: «قُولُوا: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ».

[56] [‘Abdur-Rahmaan] ibn Abee Laylaa narrated that Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah had said to him, “Should I not give something to you as a gift? Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) had once come out to us and we said, ‘Messenger of Allaah, we know how to invoke Allaah to grant you protection, but how do we invoke Allaah to grant you commendation?’ He replied, ‘You say: O Allaah, grant commendation to Muhammad and to the family of Muhammad, just as You granted commendation to the family of Ibraaheem. You are indeed Most Praiseworthy, Most Glorious’.”

[Other narrations of this hadeeth contain the addition:

«اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ».

O Allaah, grant blessings to Muhammad and to the family of Muhammad, just as You granted blessings to the family of Ibraaheem. You are indeed Most Praiseworthy, Most Glorious’.”][1]

Comments:

[1] See Fadl as-Salaah (ed. al-Albaanee, p. 53 footnote).

[59] عَنْ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ عَمْرٍو [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ]، قَالَ: أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ [صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ] رَجُلٌ حَتَّى جَلَسَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ، فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أَمَّا السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ فَقَدْ عَرَفْنَاهُ، وَأَمَا الصَّلَاةُ فَأَخْبِرْنَا بِهَا، كَيْفَ نُصَلِّي عَلَيْكَ؟ قَالَ: فَصَمَتَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حَتَّى وَدِدْنَا أَنَّ الرَّجُلَ الَّذِي سَأَلَهُ لَمْ يَسْأَلْهُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: «إِذَا صَلَّيْتُمْ عَلَيَّ فَقُولُوا: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ الْأُمِّيِّ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ الْأُمِّيِّ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ».

[59] ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amr [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: a man came to Allaah’s Messenger [(may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection)], sat right in front of him, and said, “Messenger of Allaah, we know what it means to invoke Allaah to grant you protection,[1] but as for invoking His commendation, we would like you to inform us about that. How are we to invoke His commendation for you?” Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) remained quiet[2] to the point that we wished the man who posed the question had not asked him anything.[3] He then said, “When you want to invoke Allaah’s commendation for me, you are to say, ‘O Allaah, grant commendation to Muhammad – the unlettered Prophet – and to the family of Muhammad, just as You granted commendation to Ibraaheem and to the family of Ibraaheem; and grant blessings to Muhammad – the unlettered Prophet – and to the family of Muhammad, just as You granted blessings to Ibraaheem and to the family of Ibraaheem. You are indeed Most Praiseworthy, Most Glorious’.”

Comments:

[1] Meaning as they had already been taught to say when performing prayers, “assalaamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu” (Prophet of Allaah, may Allaah grant you His protection, mercy, and blessings). See al-Bahr al-Muheet ath-Thajjaaj (9/463), Thakheerah al-‘Uqbaa (15/123).

[2] Waiting for revelation to be sent down to him regarding the question that was posed. See al-Bahr al-Muheet ath-Thajjaaj (9/437), Thakheerah al-‘Uqbaa (15/119).

[3] They wished that out of fear that the silence of the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) implied that the question posed may not have been appropriate. See al-Bahr, Thakheerah (ibid).

[63] عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ]، قَالَ: أَتَانَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي مَجْلِسِ سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ فَقَالَ بَشِيرُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ: أَمَرَنَا اللَّهُ أَنْ نُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، فَكَيْفَ نُصَلِّي عَلَيْكَ؟ قَالَ: فَسَكَتَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حَتَّى تَمَنَّيْنَا أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَسْأَلْهُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «قُولُوا: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي الْعَالَمِينَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ. وَالسَّلَامُ كَمَا عَلِمْتُمْ».

[63] Aboo Mas‘ood al-Ansaaree[1] [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) came to us in the assembly of Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubaadah, and Basheer ibn Sa‘d[2] said, “Messenger of Allaah, we were instructed by Allaah to invoke His commendation for you.[3] How are we to invoke that commendation for you?” Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) remained quiet to the point that we wished Basheer had not asked him anything. Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) then said, “You are to say, ‘O Allaah, grant commendation to Muhammad and to the family of Muhammad, just as You granted commendation to the family of Ibraaheem; and grant blessings to Muhammad and to the family of Muhammad, just as You granted blessings to the family of Ibraaheem and made that commendation and those blessings known throughout all of creation.[4] You are indeed Most Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.’ As for invoking Allaah to grant me protection, it is to be done as you already know.”

Comments:

[1] This is the kunyah of the Companion ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amr, the same one who narrated [59].

[2] The father of the Companion an-Nu‘maan ibn Basheer, not the son of the Companion Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubaadah. See Thakheerah al-‘Uqbaa (15/117).

[3] In reference to Allaah’s statement, ((People of eemaan, invoke Allaah to grant him commendation, and invoke Allaah to grant him protection as well)) [al-Ahzaab (33):56]. See al-Bahr al-Muheet ath-Thajjaaj (9/435).

[4] See al-Bahr al-Muheet ath-Thajjaaj (9/446).

[67] عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] قَالَ: قُلْنَا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، هَذَا السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ، فَكَيْفَ الصَّلَاةُ عَلَيْكَ؟ قَالَ: «قُولُوا: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَرَسُولِكَ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَآلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ».

[67] Aboo Sa‘eed al-Khudree [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: We had asked, “Messenger of Allaah, we are aware of how Allaah’s protection is to be invoked for you, but how is Allaah’s commendation to be invoked for you?” He replied, “You say, ‘O Allaah, grant commendation to Muhammad, Your worshipping servant and Your Messenger, just as You granted commendation to Ibraaheem; and grant blessings to Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just as You granted blessings to Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem.”

[68] [عَنْ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ عُبَيْدِ اللهِ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] قَالَ: قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، كَيْفَ الصَّلَاةُ عَلَيْكَ؟ قَالَ: «قُلِ: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ [حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ]».

[68] [Talhah ibn ‘Ubaydillaah (may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated: I inquired, “Messenger of Allaah, how is Allaah’s commendation to be invoked for you?” He replied, “Say, ‘O Allaah, grant commendation to Muhammad, just as You granted commendation to Ibraaheem. You are indeed Most Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. In addition, grant blessings to Muhammad and to the family of Muhammad, just as You granted blessings to Ibraaheem. You are indeed [Most Praiseworthy, Most Glorious]’.”

[70] [عَنْ أَبِي حُمَيْدٍ السَّاعِدِيِّ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] أَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، كَيْفَ نُصَلِّي عَلَيْكَ؟ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «قُولُوا: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَأَزْوَاجِهِ وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَأَزْوَاجِهِ وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ».

[70] Aboo Humayd as-Saa‘idee [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] narrated that some of the Companions had inquired, “Messenger of Allaah, how are we to invoke Allaah’s commendation for you?” Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) replied, “You are to say, ‘O Allaah, grant commendation to Muhammad, his wives, and his descendants[1], just as You granted commendation to the family of Ibraaheem; and grant blessings to Muhammad, his wives, and his descendants, just as You granted blessings to the family of Ibraaheem. You are indeed Most Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.”

Comments:

[1] See Mirqaah al-Mafaateeh (no. 932).

[75] عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا] أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «لَا تُصَلُّوا صَلَاةً عَلَى أَحَدٍ إِلَّا عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَلَكِنْ يُدْعَى لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ بِالْاِسْتِغْفَارِ».

[75] Ibn ‘Abbaas [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] said, “You are not to invoke Allaah’s commendation for anyone besides the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection). Rather, you are to supplicate for those who submit to Allaah in Islaam, males and females alike, by invoking Allaah to grant them His forgiveness.”[1]

Comments:

[1] After taking the various texts related to this issue into consideration, scholars have explained that this statement of ibn ‘Abbaas can be understood as a general default, and there are certain exceptions that can be understood in light of other texts. Some scholars have mentioned that doing other than the default is permissible when invoking Allaah’s commendation for other than the Prophet after invoking Allaah’s commendation for the Prophet himself (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection). In other words, when others are mentioned in conjunction with the Prophet, it is acceptable to invoke Allaah’s commendation for them along with him. This can be understood from some of the preceding narrations – namely 56, 59, 63, 70 – which mention the Prophet’s family, wives, or descendants along with him. According to this explanation, the statement of ibn ‘Abbaas applies when Allaah’s commendation is invoked for people other than the Prophet on their own, not in conjunction with him. (See Fath al-Baaree 8/534). Another view mentioned by scholars is that doing other than the default should only happen very sparingly, or so long as it is not made a constant practice or a distinction that becomes specifically reserved for certain people other than Allaah’s Prophets. Some of the texts from which this idea can be understood are the upcoming narrations 77 and 92. (See Fath al-Baaree 11/170; al-Bahr al-Muheet ath-Thajjaaj 9/486).

[76] كَتَبَ عُمَرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ: «أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فَإِنَّ أُنَاسًا مِنَ النَّاسِ قَدِ الْتَمَسُوا الدُّنْيَا بِعَمَلِ الْآخِرَةِ، وَإِنَّ النَّاسَ مِنَ الْقُصَّاصِ قَدْ أَحْدَثُوا مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى خُلَفَائِهِمْ وَأُمَرَائِهِمْ عِدْلَ صَلَاتِهِمْ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَإِذَا جَاءَكَ كِتَابِي هَذَا فَمُرْهُمْ أَنْ تَكُونَ صَلَاتُهُمْ عَلَى النَّبِيِّينَ، وَدُعَاؤُهُمْ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ عَامَّةً، وَيَدَعُوا مَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ».

[76] ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdil-‘Azeez [(may Allaah have mercy upon him)] wrote a correspondence in which he said, “As for what follows, there are some among mankind who have sought this world by way of deeds that are to be performed seeking the hereafter; and certain storytellers among the people have invented the practice of invoking Allaah’s commendation for their authorities and leaders just like the commendation that they invoke for the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection). Therefore, if this correspondence of mine reaches you, tell them that they are to invoke Allaah’s commendation specifically for the Prophets, they are to supplicate Allaah for the people of Islaam in general, and they are to refrain from any practices besides that.”

[77] عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا] أَنَّ امْرَأَةً قَالَتْ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، صَلِّ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَى زَوْجِي، فَقَالَ: «صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْكِ وَعَلَى زَوْجِكِ».

[77] Jaabir ibn ‘Abdillaah [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] narrated that a woman[1] said, “Messenger of Allaah, I request that you invoke Allaah’s commendation for myself and my spouse.” The Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) replied, “May Allaah grant His commendation to you and to your spouse.”

Comments:

[1] The woman was Jaabir’s wife. See Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad (no. 15282).

[78] عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَدْعُو لِلصَّغِيرِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُ، كَمَا يَدْعُو لِلْكَبِيرِ، فَقِيلَ لَهُ: إِنَّ هَذَا لَيْسَ لَهُ ذَنْبٌ. فَقَالَ: «النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَدْ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ، وَقَدْ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهِ».

[78] Muhammad [ibn Seereen] would supplicate Allaah and ask His forgiveness for children just as he would supplicate for adults. Someone told him, “How come you do that although a child has not incurred any sin?” He replied, “The Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) was forgiven for any sins that may have ever emanated from him in the past or could ever emanate from him in the future, yet I was still instructed to invoke Allaah’s commendation for him.”

[81] [عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ]: «إِذَا قَدِمْتُمْ فَطُوفُوا بِالْبَيْتِ سَبْعًا، وَصَلُّوا عِنْدَ الْمَقَامِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ ائْتُوا الصَّفَا، فَقُومُوا عَلَيْهِ مِنْ حَيْثُ تَرَوْنَ الْبَيْتَ، فَكَبِّرُوا سَبْعَ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ، [بَيْنَ كُلِّ] تَكْبِيرَتَيْنِ حَمْدٌ لِلَّهِ، وَثَنَاءٌ عَلَيْهِ، وَصَلَاةٌ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَمَسْأَلَةٌ لِنَفْسِكَ، وَعَلَى الْمَرْوَةِ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ».

[81] ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] stated, “When you reach Makkah, perform seven circuits of Tawaaf around the Ka‘bah, and perform two rak‘ah units of prayer at the Maqaam. Then, go to as-Safaa, stand on it at a location from which you can see the Ka‘bah, and say takbeer (i.e. ‘Allaahu Akbar’, meaning: Allaah is the Greatest) seven times. [Between each] two takbeers, there should be praise of Allaah, glorification of Him, invoking His commendation for the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), and supplication for yourself. The same should also be done on al-Marwah.”

[91] عَنِ الشَّعْبِيِّ قَالَ: «أَوَّلُ تَكْبِيرَةٍ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى الْجَنَازَةِ: ثَنَاءٌ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ، وَالثَّانِيَةُ: صَلَاةٌ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَالثَّالِثَةُ: دُعَاءٌ لِلْمَيِّتِ، وَالرَّابِعَةُ: السَّلَامُ».

[91] [‘Amir ibn Sharaaheel] ash-Sha‘bee said, “After the first takbeer of the funeral prayer, one is to glorify Allaah, the Almighty and Most Majestic. After the second, one is to invoke Allaah’s commendation for the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection). After the third, one is to supplicate Allaah for the deceased. After the fourth, one is to say the concluding salaam.”

[92] عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا] أَنَّهُ يُكَبِّرُ عَلَى الْجَنَازَةِ، وَيُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: «اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ فِيهِ، وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِ، وَاغْفِرْ لَهُ، وَأَوْرِدْهُ حَوْضَ نَبِيِّكَ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ».

[92] When performing the funeral prayer, ibn ‘Umar [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] would say the takbeer, then invoke Allaah’s commendation for the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), and then supplicate for the deceased by saying, “O Allaah, grant him Your blessings, grant him Your commendation, grant him Your forgiveness, and let him be among those at the large body of water known as the Hawd which You will grant Your Prophet in the hereafter (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection).”

[93] عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ [رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ]، سُئِلَ: كَيْفَ نُصَلِّي عَلَى الْجَنَازَةِ؟ قَالَ: «أَنَا لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ أُخْبِرُكَ: أَتْبَعُهَا مِنْ أَهْلِهَا، فَإِذَا وُضِعَتْ كَبَّرْتُ وَحَمِدْتُ اللَّهَ وَصَلَّيْتُ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ثُمَّ أَقُولُ: اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا عَبْدُكَ، ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ وَابْنُ أَمَتِكَ، كَانَ يَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُكَ وَرَسُولُكَ، وَأَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ مُحْسِنًا فَزِدْ مِنْ إِحْسَانِهِ، وَإِنْ كَانَ مُسِيئًا فَتَجَاوَزْ عَنْهُ، اللَّهُمَّ لَا تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهُ، وَلَا تَفْتِنَّا بَعْدَهُ».

[93] Aboo Hurayrah [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] was asked, “How do we perform the funeral prayer?” He replied, “I swear by Allaah that I will inform you: I follow the funeral procession from the time the deceased is carried away from his family. Once the deceased is placed down, I say the takbeer, I praise Allaah, I invoke Allaah’s commendation for His Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), and then I supplicate saying, ‘O Allaah, this is a servant of Yours. He is the child of a male servant of Yours, and the child of a female servant of Yours. He bore witness that none has the right to be worshipped except You, and that Muhammad is Your worshipping servant and Your Messenger. Ultimately, You are the One who has best knowledge about him. O Allaah, if he did what was good, we beseech You to increase his goodness; and if he did what was wrong, we beseech You to grant him pardon. O Allaah, we beseech You to not deprive us of the deceased being a source of reward for us, and to not test us with misguidance[1] after having lost him’.”

Comments:

[1] Supplicating Allaah “to not test us with misguidance” conveys the meanings of seeking His protection against straying from sound beliefs and righteous deeds, as well as imploring Him to enable us to learn necessary lessons from the passing of the deceased, and to correctly prepare for our own departure. See Mirqaah al-Mafaateeh (no. 1675), ‘Awn al-Ma‘bood (no. 3201), Fiqh al-Ad‘iyah wal-Athkaar (no. 160).

[94] [عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ بْنِ] سَهْلِ بْنِ حُنَيْفٍ، يُحَدِّثُ سَعِيدَ بْنَ الْمُسَيِّبِ، قَالَ: «إِنَّ السُّنَّةَ فِي صَلَاةِ الْجَنَازَةِ أَنْ يَقْرَأَ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ، وَيُصَلِّيَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ثُمَّ يُخْلِصَ الدُّعَاءَ لِلْمَيِّتِ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ، وَلَا يَقْرَأَ إِلَّا مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً، ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمَ فِي نَفْسِهِ».

[94] Aboo Umaamah ibn Sahl ibn Hunayf told Sa‘eed ibn al-Musayyib, “The Sunnah regarding the funeral prayer is to read Soorah al-Faatihah; invoke Allaah’s commendation for the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection); then sincerely supplicate Allaah for the deceased until finished, without reading anything more from the Qur’aan after that one time which preceded; and then say the concluding salaam within himself.”

[95] عَنْ أَبِي الْعَالِيَةِ: ((إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ)) صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، قَالَ: «صَلَاةُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَيْهِ: ثَنَاؤُهُ عَلَيْهِ، وَصَلَاةُ الْمَلَائِكَةِ عَلَيْهِ: الدُّعَاءُ».

[95] Regarding the statement of Allaah, ((Indeed, Allaah and His angels send salaah upon the Prophet)) [33:56], Abul-‘Aaliyah explained that the “salaah” of Allaah upon the Prophet refers to Allaah mentioning him with commendation, and the “salaah” of the angels upon the Prophet refers to them invoking Allaah (i.e. to grant him even further commendation)[1].

Comments:

[1] See Fiqh al-Ad‘iyah wal-Athkaar (no. 144).

[98] عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «رَأَيْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عُمَرَ يَقِفُ عَلَى قَبْرِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَيُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَأَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا».

[98] ‘Abdullaah ibn Deenaar said, “I saw ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar [(may Allaah be pleased with both of them)] standing at the burial site of the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) and he invoked Allaah to grant commendation to the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), as well as to Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with both of them).”

[Another narration has the wording:

«فَيُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَيَدْعُو لِأَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ».

“he invoked Allaah to grant commendation to the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), and he supplicated Allaah for Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar.”][1]

Comments:

[1] See Fadl as-Salaah (ed. ‘Abdul-Haqq, p. 193), al-Muwatta’ (ed. al-Hilaalee, 2/57).

[99] [عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ] قَالَ: رَأَيْتُ ابْنَ عُمَرَ إِذَا قَدِمَ مِنْ سَفَرٍ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَقَالَ: «السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، السَّلَامُ عَلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ، السَّلَامُ عَلَى أَبِي»، ويُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ.

[99] [‘Abdullaah ibn Deenaar] said, “I saw that when ibn ‘Umar would return to al-Madeenah from a journey, he would enter the masjid and say, ‘I invoke Allaah to grant you His protection, Messenger of Allaah. I invoke Allaah to grant His protection to Aboo Bakr. I invoke Allaah to grant His protection to my father.’ Ibn ‘Umar would then pray two rak‘ah (i.e. perform two units of prayer)”.

[100] عَنْ نَافِعٍ، أَنَّ ابْنَ عُمَرَ كَانَ إِذَا قَدِمَ مِنْ سَفَرٍ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ، ثُمَّ أَتَى الْقَبْرَ، فَقَالَ: «السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَبَتَاهُ».

[100] Naafi‘ narrated that when ibn ‘Umar would return to al-Madeenah from a journey, he would enter the masjid, go to the burial site of the Prophet, and then say, “I invoke Allaah to grant you His protection, Messenger of Allaah. I invoke Allaah to grant you His protection, Aboo Bakr. I invoke Allaah to grant you His protection, my dear father.”

[103] عَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ: ((وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ))، قَالَ: «لَا أُذْكَرُ إِلَّا ذُكِرْتَ: أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ».

[103] [Regarding the statement of Allaah, ((and We raised your mention for you)) [94:4], Mujaahid explained that it means Allaah is saying to His Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection): “I am not mentioned without you also being mentioned [as in the shahaadah when a person says]: I bear witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah].”

[106] [عَنْ فَضَالَةَ بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ] - صَاحِبِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - [قَالَ]: سَمِعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ رَجُلًا يَدْعُو فِي صَلَاتِهِ، لَمْ يُمَجِّدِ اللَّهَ وَلَمْ يُصَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «عَجِلَ هَذَا»، ثُمَّ دَعَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَوْ لِغَيْرِهِ: «إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَبْدَأْ بِتَمْجِيدِ اللَّهِ وَالثَّنَاءِ عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ثُمَّ يَدْعُو بَعْدُ بِمَا شَاءَ».

[106] Fadaalah ibn ‘Ubayd [(may Allaah be pleased with him)] – a Companion of Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) – stated that Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) heard a man supplicate while performing prayer, but he did not glorify Allaah, or invoke Allaah to grant commendation to the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection). As a result, Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) said, “This individual was hasty.” He then called the man and directed the following words to that man or to someone else: “When one of you prays, he is to first glorify Allaah and praise Him, then invoke Allaah to grant commendation to the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), and then supplicate as he would like after that.”

[107] [أَبُو حَلِيمَةَ مُعَاذُ بْنُ الْحَارِثِ] كَانَ يُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي الْقُنُوتِ.

[107] [Aboo Haleemah, Mu‘aath ibn al-Haarith (may Allaah be pleased with him)], would invoke Allaah’s commendation for the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) during the qunoot supplication.

[Another wording of this narration states:

كَانَ يَقُومُ فِي الْقُنُوتِ فِي رَمَضَانَ يَدْعُو، وَيُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَيَسْتَسْقِي الْغَيْثَ.

While standing during the qunoot supplication of night prayers in Ramadaan, [Mu‘aath ibn al-Haarith] would supplicate Allaah, invoke Allaah’s commendation for the Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), and beseech Allaah to send rain].[1]

Comments:

[1] See Fadl as-Salaah (ed. al-Albaanee, p. 87 footnote), Mukhtasar Qiyaam al-Layl (p. 324).