Riyadh Al-Salehin | Episode (157) | Chapter on the virtue of supplication in the back of the unseen

0:00 Riyadh al-Salihin from the words of the Master of the Messengers, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

0:09 Chapter: The Virtue of Supplication (Du'a).

0:14 On the authority of 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him:

0:19 A man who had a contract of manumission (mukātab) came to him and said,

0:22 "I am unable to fulfill my contract, so assist me."

0:26 He replied, "Shall I not teach you words that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, taught me?

0:34 Even if you had a debt equal to a mountain, Allah would pay it off for you.

0:39 Say: 'O Allah, suffice me with Your lawful provisions against Your prohibitions,

0:44 and enrich me by Your bounty, independent of anyone else.'"

0:48 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi.

0:50 "Unable to fulfill my contract":

0:54 Meaning, a debt has become binding upon me due to my manumission contract.

0:57 "Suffice me":

0:59 Meaning, grant me sufficiency.

1:01 From the benefits of the hadith:

1:05 Encouragement to assist those under a manumission contract.

1:08 It is permissible to ask for help for one upon whom a debt has become binding and burdensome,

1:13 until he finds what suffices him.

1:15 Lawful sustenance, even if small,

1:18 is better than unlawful wealth, even if it is great.

1:22 All grace belongs to Allah,

1:24 so no good should be attributed to anyone but Him,

1:27 and to others only as a secondary cause.

1:31 The servant should seek help from Allah alone

1:34 in matters that none but Allah has the power to accomplish.

1:38 On the authority of 'Imran ibn al-Husayn, may Allah be pleased with them both:

1:43 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,

1:46 taught his father, Husayn, two phrases to supplicate with:

1:50 "O Allah, inspire me with my guidance (rushd),

1:53 and protect me from the evil of my own self."

1:56 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi.

1:59 From the benefits of the hadith:

2:02 The obligation to seek refuge from the evils of the self,

2:05 and from the consequences of evil deeds.

2:07 Success (tawfiq) is that Allah does not leave you to your own self for even the blinking of an eye.

2:13 On the authority of Abu al-Fadl,

2:16 al-'Abbas ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:

2:20 I said, "O Messenger of Allah,

2:23 teach me something I may ask Allah, the Exalted, for."

2:27 He said, "Ask Allah for 'afiyah (well-being)."

2:30 I remained for some days, then I came and said,

2:34 "O Messenger of Allah,

2:36 teach me something I may ask Allah, the Exalted, for."

2:40 He said to me,

2:42 "O 'Abbas, O uncle of the Messenger of Allah,

2:45 ask Allah for well-being in this world and the Hereafter."

2:50 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi.

2:52 From the benefits of the hadith:

2:56 Allah is the Pardoner (al-'Afuw),

2:58 so it is necessary to ask Him for well-being in this world and the Hereafter.

3:02 Whoever attains well-being has been given much good in this world and the Hereafter,

3:09 because in this world,

3:11 it means safety from illnesses and pains,

3:14 and from trials and tribulations.

3:16 And in the Hereafter,

3:18 it is through the expiation of sins,

3:20 the removal of that which is feared,

3:22 and drawing near to the Beloved.

3:24 The eagerness of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them,

3:27 to increase in goodness and knowledge.

3:30 On the authority of Shahr ibn Hawshab, who said:

3:34 I said to Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her,

3:37 "O Mother of the Believers,

3:39 what was the most frequent supplication of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,

3:44 when he was with you?"

3:46 She said,

3:48 "His most frequent supplication was:

3:50 'O Turner of hearts,

3:52 keep my heart firm upon Your religion.'"

3:55 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi.

3:59 From the benefits of the hadith:

4:01 The hearts of the servants are in the hand of Allah;

4:04 He turns them however He wills.

4:07 The humility of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,

4:10 and his supplication to his Lord.

4:13 Deeds are judged by their endings.

4:15 We ask Allah for a good ending.

4:18 Steadfastness upon Islam

4:21 is the greatest blessing,

4:23 which the servant ought to

4:25 strive for,

4:27 and thank his Lord for.

4:29 On the authority of Abu al-Darda', may Allah be pleased with him,

4:33 who said:

4:34 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

4:38 "Among the supplications of Dawud, peace be upon him, was:

4:43 'O Allah, I ask You for Your love,

4:46 and the love of those who love You,

4:48 and the deed that will bring me to Your love.

4:52 O Allah, make Your love more beloved to me than my own self, my family,

4:57 and cold water.'"

5:00 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi.

5:02 From the benefits of the hadith:

5:05 Encouragement to seek the love of Allah, the Exalted,

5:08 and to strive to attain it.

5:10 Struggling against the self (mujahadat al-nafs),

5:12 and prioritizing the obedience of Allah,

5:15 and the obedience of His Messenger, over one's own self,

5:18 and everything that one's self desires and craves.

5:22 On the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:

5:26 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

5:30 (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him),

5:32 "Adhere to: 'O Possessor of Majesty and Honor' (Ya Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram)."

5:36 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and al-Nasa'i.

5:39 "Adhere to" (alizzu):

5:42 Meaning, persist in this invocation and repeat it frequently.

5:46 From the benefits of the hadith:

5:50 Encouragement to frequently use this invocation and persist in it,

5:54 because it contains perfect praise of Allah, the Glorified and Exalted,

5:59 and describes Him with attributes of perfection and majesty.

6:03 On the authority of Abu Umamah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:

6:08 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, supplicated

6:12 with many supplications,

6:14 of which we did not memorize anything.

6:16 We said,

6:18 "O Messenger of Allah,

6:20 you have supplicated with many supplications

6:22 of which we have not memorized anything."

6:24 He said,

6:26 "Shall I not guide you to that which encompasses all of that?

6:30 Say:

6:32 'O Allah, I ask You for the good that Your Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, asked of You,

6:40 and I seek refuge in You from the evil that Your Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, sought refuge from.

6:47 You are the One whose help is sought,

6:50 and upon You is the fulfillment,

6:52 and there is no power nor strength except by Allah.'"

6:56 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi.

6:58 "You are the One whose help is sought":

7:01 Meaning, the One from whom assistance is requested.

7:04 "Upon You is the fulfillment":

7:06 Meaning, the sufficiency.

7:08 From the benefits of the hadith:

7:11 Constancy in supplicating with this comprehensive prayer that includes all the supplications of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

7:20 The benefit of this hadith is especially apparent

7:24 for those who do not memorize the supplications of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

7:29 This is part of the ease of Islam and the vastness of Allah's mercy toward His servants.

7:35 On the authority of Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:

7:40 Among the supplications of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was:

7:45 "O Allah, I ask You for the things that necessitate Your mercy,

7:49 and the determinations of Your forgiveness,

7:52 safety from every sin,

7:54 the spoils of every righteous deed,

7:57 success in attaining Paradise, and salvation from the Fire."

8:01 Narrated by al-Hakim.

8:05 "Things that necessitate Your mercy":

8:07 Meaning, the actions that cause it.

8:09 "Determinations of Your forgiveness":

8:12 Meaning, the causes of Your forgiveness.

8:15 "Righteous deed" (al-birr):

8:16 Meaning, obedience.

8:18 From the benefits of the hadith:

8:22 Encouragement to strive in acts of righteousness and obedience,

8:26 and to distance oneself from evil and disobedience.

8:29 Chapter: The Virtue of Supplicating for Others in Their Absence.

8:36 Allah, the Exalted, says:

8:39 “And those who came (into the faith) after them say: Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who were before us in the faith, and place not in our hearts any rancour toward those who believe. Our Lord! Thou art Full of Pity, Merciful.” (59:10)

8:44 “And those who came (into the faith) after them say: Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who were before us in the faith, and place not in our hearts any rancour toward those who believe. Our Lord! Thou art Full of Pity, Merciful.” (59:10)

8:49 And Allah, the Exalted, says:

8:51 “So know (O Muhammad) that there is no Allah save Allah, and ask forgiveness for thy sin and for believing men and believing women. Allah knoweth (both) your place of turmoil and your place of rest.” (47:19)

8:56 And Allah, the Exalted, says,

8:58 informing us about Ibrahim, peace be upon him:

9:03 “Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and believers on the day when the account is cast.” (14:41)

9:11 On the authority of Abu Darda', may Allah be pleased with him,

9:14 that he heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, say:

9:19 "There is no Muslim servant who supplicates for his brother in his absence,

9:24 except that the angel says: 'And for you, the same.'"

9:28 Narrated by Muslim.

9:30 "For his brother": The intended meaning is his brother in Islam.

9:36 "In his absence": Meaning, while the person being prayed for is away or in secret.

9:42 "The same": Meaning, the same as what you prayed for him.

9:46 On the authority of Abu Darda', may Allah be pleased with him,

9:50 that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to say:

9:55 "The supplication of a Muslim for his brother in his absence is answered.

10:00 At his head is an angel appointed;

10:03 every time he prays for his brother with good,

10:06 the angel appointed to him

10:09 says: 'Amin, and for you the same.'"

10:12 Narrated by Muslim.

10:16 "Angel appointed": Meaning, an angel specifically tasked with this duty.

10:22 From the benefits of the hadith:

10:25 Islam's emphasis on strengthening the bonds of brotherhood between believers in all circumstances and times.

10:33 Restricting the supplication to the absence of the person,

10:36 because that is more indicative of sincerity and presence of heart.

10:40 The virtue of supplicating for brothers in their absence.

10:44 Supplication in one's absence is answered and not rejected.

10:49 It is recommended for a Muslim to pray for himself and his brother for the good of this world and the Hereafter.

10:56 Clarification of some of the duties of the angels,

11:00 and that among them are those whom Allah has appointed to this task.

11:04 The angels only say 'Amin' to what is good.

11:08 This hadith provides a great benefit,

11:13 because if your supplication for your brother is answered because he is absent from you,

11:18 we hope that the angel's supplication for you will be answered because you are absent from him.

11:23 Some of the salaf, when they wanted to pray for themselves for something,

11:28 would pray for their brothers with that same supplication,

11:31 because it is answered and they receive the like of it.

11:35 Chapter: On Various Supplications.

11:41 On the authority of Usamah ibn Zayd, may Allah be pleased with them both, who said:

11:47 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

11:51 "Whoever has a favor done for him,

11:53 and says to the doer: 'May Allah reward you with good,'

11:57 has indeed expressed the highest form of praise."

12:00 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi.

12:02 Among the benefits of the hadith:

12:06 Encouragement to perform good deeds and show kindness to Muslims.

12:11 The command to reward the benefactor who performs a good deed.

12:16 Supplicating for the one who has done you a favor.

12:19 This applies when one is unable to provide a material reward.

12:22 Acknowledging the merit of those who deserve it.

12:26 Preserving the memory of a favor and its benefactor is among the traits of the believers.

12:30 On the authority of Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:

12:35 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

12:39 "Do not supplicate against yourselves.

12:42 Do not supplicate against your children.

12:45 Do not supplicate against your wealth.

12:48 Do not coincide with a moment from Allah

12:51 in which He is asked for a gift,

12:54 and He answers you."

12:56 Narrated by Muslim.

13:00 Among the benefits of the hadith:

13:02 Man is by nature impatient.

13:05 As the Almighty said:

13:07 ﴾And man supplicates for evil as he supplicates for good, and man is ever hasty.﴿

13:11 And man is ever hasty.

13:14 Therefore, one must discipline his soul.

13:18 He should not supplicate against himself, his child, or his wealth with any harm.

13:25 The reason for the prohibition:

13:26 Lest you coincide with the hour of response while supplicating,

13:30 and thus it aligns with the divine decree,

13:32 leaving you regretful,

13:34 and resentful of the decree.

13:38 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him:

13:41 That the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

13:45 "The closest a servant is to his Lord

13:48 is while he is prostrating,

13:50 so increase your supplication."

13:52 Narrated by Muslim.

13:54 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him:

13:57 That the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

14:01 "One of you will be answered as long as he does not become impatient,

14:05 saying:

14:07 'I have supplicated to my Lord, but He has not answered me.'"

14:10 Agreed upon.

14:13 In a narration by Muslim:

14:15 "The servant will continue to be answered

14:18 as long as he does not supplicate for a sin or the severing of family ties,

14:22 and as long as he does not become impatient."

14:24 It was asked:

14:25 "O Messenger of Allah,

14:27 what is impatience?"

14:29 He said:

14:30 "He says:

14:31 'I have prayed and prayed,

14:34 yet I do not see that I am being answered.'

14:37 So he becomes discouraged at that point and abandons supplication."

14:41 Discouraged (yastahsir):

14:44 Meaning to give up out of exhaustion.

14:48 Among the benefits of the hadith:

14:50 Among the obstacles to the answering of supplication:

14:53 Impatience.

14:54 Supplicating for a sin.

14:56 Weariness and abandoning supplication.

15:00 Impatience leads to lethargy and cutting off the act of worship that is supplication.

15:07 On the authority of Abu Umamah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:

15:11 It was said to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him:

15:15 "Which supplication is most heard?"

15:17 He said:

15:18 "In the last third of the night,

15:21 and at the end of the prescribed prayers."

15:24 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi.

15:28 The middle of the night:

15:29 Meaning the center of it.

15:31 At the end of the prescribed prayers:

15:34 Meaning immediately following the obligatory prayers.

15:38 Among the benefits of the hadith:

15:40 Clarifying the most hopeful times for the answering of supplication.

15:44 A Muslim should increase his supplication during these times.

15:49 On the authority of 'Ubadah Ibn al-Samit, may Allah be pleased with him:

15:53 That the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

15:57 "There is no Muslim on earth who supplicates to Allah the Almighty with a prayer

16:02 but that Allah grants it to him,

16:05 or diverts from him an equivalent amount of evil,

16:09 as long as he does not supplicate for a sin or the severing of family ties."

16:13 A man from the people said:

16:17 "Then we will increase [our supplications]."

16:19 He said:

16:20 "Allah is more abundant [in giving]."

16:22 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi.

16:24 Al-Hakim narrated it from the narration of Abu Sa'id and added to it:

16:29 "Or He stores up for him an equivalent reward."

16:33 Among the benefits of the hadith:

16:37 The supplication of a Muslim is answered and not rejected,

16:40 provided its conditions and etiquette are met.

16:44 Therefore, the servant should not be impatient for the response.

16:49 The supplication of a Muslim falls under three outcomes:

16:52 Either it is answered,

16:54 or it is delayed while an equivalent calamity is averted from him,

16:58 or it is stored for him for the Day of Resurrection, where he is rewarded for it.

17:03 On the authority of Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both:

17:08 That the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,

17:11 used to say during times of distress:

17:14 "There is no god but Allah, the Magnificent, the Forbearing.

17:18 There is no god but Allah, Lord of the Magnificent Throne.

17:23 There is no god but Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth,

17:29 and Lord of the Noble Throne."

17:33 Agreed upon.

17:35 Among the benefits of the hadith:

17:39 The recommendation to supplicate with this dhikr during times of distress.

17:43 And its transmission from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

17:47 The healing medicine during hardships

17:50 is the Oneness of Allah, the Exalted and Majestic,

17:53 and calling upon Him by His Most Beautiful Names and Lofty Attributes,

17:57 and not turning to anyone else or looking toward anyone but Him.

18:02 Riyad al-Salihin

Riyadh Al-Salehin | Episode (157) | Chapter on the virtue of supplication in the back of the unseen

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