Mishkat al-Masabih

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “Every prophet has a supplication which receives an answer, but whereas every prophet made his supplication in this world, I have kept mine till the day of resurrection to be used in intercession for my people, and if God will, it will reach those of my people who have died without associating anything with God.” Muslim transmitted it, and Bukhari has a shorter version.

He reported God’s messenger as. saying, “O God, I have entered into a covenant with Thee which Thou wilt not break. I am only a human being, so when I have injured, reviled, cursed or beaten a believer, make that for him a mercy, a purification and a means by which Thou wilt bring him near to Thee on the day of resurrection.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He reported God's messenger as saying, “When one of you makes supplication he must not say, ‘O God, forgive me if Thou wilt, show mercy to me if Thou wilt, provide for me if Thou wilt’, but must make his request definite, for He does what He wills and there is no one to impose compulsion on Him.” Bukhari transmitted it.

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “When one of you makes supplication he must not say, ‘O God, forgive me if Thou wilt, but must be definite and cherish a great desire, for nothing which God gives is burdensome to Him.” Muslim transmitted it.

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “A servant is granted an answer provided he does not ask for anything sinful or for breaking ties of relationship, and provided he does not demand an answer quickly.” On being asked what demanding an answer quickly meant, God’s messenger replied, “It is when he says he has prayed and prayed and does not think he will be answered, so he grows weary in such circumstances and gives up supplication.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Darda’ reported God’s messenger as saying, “A Muslim’s supplication for an absent brother receives an answer. An angel is stationed at his head, and as often as he makes supplication that his brother may be given what is good the angel who is put in charge of him says, ‘Amen, and may you receive the like’.” Muslim transmitted it.

Jabir reported God’s messenger as saying, “Do not invoke curses on yourselves, or on your children, or on your possessions lest you happen to do it at a time when God is asked for something and grants your requests.” Muslim transmitted it.

An-Nu‘man b. Bashir reported God’s messenger as saying, “Supplication is worship.” He then recited, “And your Lord said, If you call on me I will aswer you.”* *Qur’an, xl, 60. Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Anas reported God’s messsenger as saying, “Supplication is the pith of worship.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “Nothing is more honourable in God’s sight than supplication.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a hasan gharib tradition.

Salman al-Farisi reported God’s messenger as saying, “Nothing but supplication averts the decree, and nothing but righteousness increases life.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s messenger as saying, "Supplication is beneficial regarding things which have happened and things which have not happened, so devote yourselves to supplication, servants of God." Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Ahmad transmitted it from Mu'adh b. Jabal. Tirmidhi said this is a gharib tradition.

Jabir reported God’s messenger as saying, “No one offers a supplication without God bringing him what he asks or keeping away from him a like amount of evil, provided he does not ask for something sinful or for breaking ties of relationship.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud reported God’s messenger as saying, “Ask God for some of His bounty, for God likes to be asked, and the most excellent worship is expectation of relief.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “God will be angry with those who do not make requests from Him.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar reported God's messenger as saying, “If the gate of supplication is opened for any of you, the gates of mercy will be opened for him, and God is not asked for anything He likes so much as to be asked for security.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone finds pleasure in receiving an answer from God in times of difficulty, he should make many supplications when times are easy.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “Supplicate God when you are assured of being answered, and know that God does not answer a supplication which comes from a careless and inattentive heart.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

Malik b. Yasar reported God’s messenger as saying, “When you make requests of God, do so with the palms of your hands and not the backs upward.” In the version of Ibn ‘Abbas he said, “When you make requests of God, do so with the palms of your hands and not the backs upward, and when you are finished wipe your faces with them.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Salman reported God’s messenger as saying, “Your Lord is munificent and generous, and is ashamed to turn away empty the hands of a servant when he raises them to Him .” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Baihaqi, in ad-Da'awat al-kabir, transmitted it.

‘Umar said that when God’s messenger raised his hands in supplication he did not lower them till he wiped his face with them. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

‘A’isha said that God’s messenger liked comprehensive supplications and abandoned other kinds. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s messenger as saying, “The supplication which gets the quickest answer is that made by one distant friend for another.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

I asked the Prophet’s permission to perform an ‘umra and he gave me permission, saying, “Include me in your supplication, little brother, and do not forget me.” Then he said a word to me for which I would not be willing to take the world in exchange. Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it, Tirmidhi’s version ending with “do not forget me.”

one who has just ended a fast, a just imam, and one who has been wronged whose supplication is raised by God above the clouds and for which the gates of heaven are opened. The Lord says, ‘I swear by my might that I will certainly help you, though it be after some time’.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

that of a parent, that of a traveller, and that of one who has been wronged.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Anas reported God's messenger as saying, “Let one of you ask his Lord for all that he needs, even for the thong of his sandal when it is cut.” He added in a version from Thabit al-Bunani in mursal form, “even asking Him for salt, and even asking Him for his thong when it is cut.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Anas said that God’s messenger used to raise his hands in supplication so that the whiteness under his armpits was visible.

Sahl b. Sa‘d told of the Prophet being accustomed to place his two fingers opposite his shoulders and make supplication.

As-Sa’ib b. Yazid, on his father’s authority, said that when the Prophet made supplication and raised his hands, he wiped his face with them. Baihaqi transmitted the three traditions in ad-Da'awat al-kabir.

‘Ikrima quoted Ibn ‘Abbas as saying, “When asking for something you should raise your hands opposite your shoulders or thereabout, when asking for forgiveness you should point with one finger, and when making earnest supplication you should stretch out both your hands.” In a version he said, “Earnest supplication should be made thus,” raising his hands and putting their backs next his face. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar used to say, “Your raising of your hands is an innovation. God’s messenger did no more than this,” meaning that he raised them to his breast. Ahmad transmitted it.

Ubayy b. Ka‘b said that when God’s messenger mentioned anyone for whom he made supplication, he began with himself. Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a hasan gharib sahih tradition.

He will give him as peedy answer, or store it up for him in the next world, or turn away from him an equivalent amount of evil.” Those who heard it said they would then make many supplications and he replied that God was more ready to answer than they were to ask. Ahmad transmitted it.

that of one who is wronged till help comes, that of a pilgrim till he comes home, that of one engaged in jihad till he stops, that of a sick person till he recovers, and that of someone for an absent brother. Then he added, “The one of those which gets the quickest answer is that for an absent brother.” Baihaqi transmitted it in ad-Da'awat al-kabir.

Abu Huraira and Abu Said reported God’s messenger as saying, “People will not sit remembering God without the angels surrounding them, mercy covering them, peace(1) descending on them, and God mentioning them among those who are with Him.” 1. Here I have translated as-sakina as "peace” , but cf. p.448, n. 2. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira said that when God’s messenger was travelling on the way to Mecca and came to a mountain called Jumdan he said, “Go on, this is Jumdan; the mufarriduna have gone ahead.” On being asked what the mufarriduna meant he replied, “Those men and women who make frequent remembrance of God.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Musa reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who remembers his Lord and he who does not are like the living and the dead.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as stating that God says, “I am present when my servant thinks of me, and I am with him when he remembers me. If he remembers me inwardly I shall remember him inwardly, and if he remembers me among people I shall remember him among people who are better than they.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Dharr reported God’s messenger as stating that God says, “He who does a good deed will have ten times that amount of blessing, and I shall give more; but he who does an evil deed will have an equivalent reward of evil, or I shall grant forgiveness. If anyone draws the length of a span near me I shall draw the length of a cubit near him, and if anyone draws the length of a cubit near me I shall draw the length of a fathom near him. If anyone comes to me walking I shall come to him at a run, and if anyone meets me with sins tantamount to the size of the earth, but has not associated anything with me, I shall meet him with a similar amount of forgiveness.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as stating that God has said, “If anyone is hostile to a friend of mine, I have declared war against him. No one draws near to me with anything dearer to me than what I have made obligatory for him. If my servant keeps drawing near to me with supererogatory acts I shall love him, and when I love him I shall be his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he grasps and his foot with which he walks. If he asks from me I shall certainly give him and if he seeks refuge in me I shall certainly give him refuge. I have not hesitated about anything I do as I hesitate about taking the soul of a believer who dislikes death, for I dislike grieving him, but he cannot escape it.” Bukhari transmitted it.

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “God has angels who go about on the roads seeking those who remember God, and when they find people doing so they call to one another, ‘Come to what you are looking for’, and surround them with their wings up to the lowest heaven.” He said that their Lord then asks them, although He is best informed about them, “What are my servants saying?” They reply, “They are extolling, magnifying, praising and glorifying Thee.” He asks whether they have seen Him, and when they reply, “No indeed, they have not seen Thee,” He asks how they would act if they had seen Him, to which they reply, “If they had seen Thee they would have engaged more earnestly in worshipping and glorifying Thee, and would have extolled Thee much more.” He then says, “What are they asking for?” and they reply, “They are asking Thee for paradise.” He asks whether they have seen it, and when they reply, “No indeed, my Lord, they have not seen it,” He asks how they would act if they had seen it to which they reply, “If they had seen it they would have been more intensely eager for it, would have asked more earnestly for it, and would have had a greater desire for it.” He asks what they are seeking refuge from, to which they reply that it is from hell. He asks whether they have seen it, and when they reply, “No indeed, my Lord, they have not seen it,” He asks how they would act if they had seen it, to which they reply, “If they had seen it they would have been more earnest in flying from it and fearing it.” He then says, “I call you to witness that I have forgiven them.” One of the angels says, “Among them is so and so who does not belong to their number, but has come only for something he wants,” and He replies, “They are people who are seated together, and he who sits with them will not be miserable.” Bukhari transmitted it. In Muslim's version he said that God has angels who travel round to a great extent looking for meetings where remembrance is being made of God, and when they find a meeting where this is being done they sit with them and surround one another, with their wings so as to fill the space between them and the lowest heaven. When the people separate they ascend up to heaven, and God who knows best asks them where they have come from. They reply, “We have come from Thy servants on the earth who are extolling and magnifying Thee, declaring Thy unity, praising Thee and making request of Thee.” He says, “For what are they asking me?” and they reply, “They are asking Thee for Thy paradise.” He asks whether they have seen His paradise, and when they reply, “No my Lord.” He asks how they would act if they had seen His paradise. They say, “They are also seeking Thy protection.” He asks, “From what are they seeking my protection?” and they reply, “From Thy fire.” He asks whether they have seen His fire, and when they reply that they have not, He asks how they would act if they had seen His fire. They say, “They are also asking Thy forgiveness,” to which He replies, “I have forgiven them, given them what they have asked for, and protected them from what they sought protection.” They say, “My Lord, so and so, a sinner, is among them, who just happening to pass by sat down with them.” He replies, “Him also I have forgiven. They are the people by reason of whom their associate will not be miserable.”

Abu Bakr met me and asked, “How are you, Hanzala?” I replied, “Hanzala has become a hypocrite."He said, “Praise be to God! What are you saying?” I replied, “We are with God’s messenger and he reminds us of hell and paradise making us almost seem to see them, then when we go out and leave God’s messenger we have dealings with our wives, our children and our properties and forget much.” On hearing this Abu Bakr said, “I swear by God that I have the same kind of experience.” He and I then went to visit God’s messenger, and I said, “Hanzala has become a hypocrite, messenger of God.” He asked what I meant by that and I replied, “Messenger of God, we are with you when you are reminding us of hell and paradise and making us almost seem to see them, then when we go out and leave you we have dealings with our wives, our children and our properties and forget much.” God's messenger replied, “By Him in whose hand my soul is, if you were to continue in what you have been engaged in with me and in remembering God, the angles would shake hands with you when you lie down and when you walk about; 1. but, Hanzala, there is a time for everything.” He said this three times. 1. i.e. when you are at leisure and when you are engaged in business Muslim transmitted it.

Abud Darda’ reported God's messenger as saying, “Would you like me to tell you the best and purest of your deeds in the estimation of your King, those which raise your degrees highest, those which are better for you than spending gold and silver, and are better for you than that you should meet your enemy and cut off one another's head?” On receiving a reply in the affirmative he said, “It is remembering God.” Malik, Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, but Malik traced it no farther back than Abud Darda’.

‘Abdallah b. Busr told of a desert Arab coming to the Prophet and asking who was best among men, to which he replied, “Happy is he whose life is long and whose deeds are good.” He asked God’s messenger what deed was most excellent, and he replied, “That you should leave the world with the mention of God fresh on your tongue.” Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “When you come upon the pastures of paradise feed on them.” On being asked what the pastures of paradise were he replied that they were circles where God is remembered. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone sits in a place where he does not remember God, deprivation will descend on him from God; and if anyone lies down in a place where he does not remember God, vengeance will descend on him from God.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

He reported God's messenger as saying, "People who arise from an assembly in which they did not remember God will be just as if they had got up from an ass's corpse, and it will be a cause of grief to them." Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

He reported God's messenger as saying, "If people sit in an assembly in which they do not remember God or invoke a blessing on their Prophet, vengeance will descend upon them. If God will He will punish them, but if He wills He will forgive them.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Umm Habiba reported God's messenger as saying, "Everything a son of Adam says counts against him and not in his favour, except recommending what is good, prohibiting what is objectionable, or making mention of God." Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a gharib tradition.