Selections from Muḥammadan Traditions/Chapter 10
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THE BOOK OF THE NAMES OF GOD
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily God Most High has ninety-nine names. Whoever counts them will enter paradise. He is Alláh, than whom there is no other God, the Merciful, the Compassionate, the King, the Holy, the Peace, the Faithful, the Protector, the Mighty, the Compeller, the Proud, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner, the Forgiver, the Dominant, the Bestower, the Provider, the Opener, the Knower, the Restrainer, the Speaker, the Abaser, the Exalter, the Honourer, the Destroyer, the Hearer, the Seer, the Ruler, the Just, the Subtle, the Aware, the Clement, the Grand, the Forgiving, the Grateful, the Exalted, The Great, the Guardian, the Strengthener, the Reckoner, the Majestic, the Generous, the Watcher, the Approver, the Comprehensive, the Wise, the Loving, the Glorious, the Raiser, the Witness, the Truth, the Advocate, the Strong, the Firm, the Patron, the Laudable, the Counter, the Beginner, the Restorer, the Quickener, the Killer, the Living, the Subsisting, the Finder, the Glorious, the One, the Eternal, the Powerful, the Prevailing, the Bringer-forward, the Deferrer, the First, the Last, the Evident, the Hidden, the Governor, the Exalted, the Righteous, the Accepter of Repentance, the Avenger, the Pardoner, the Kind, the Ruler of the Kingdom, the Lord of majesty and liberality, the Equitable, the Collector, the Independent, the Enricher, the Giver, the Withholder, the Distresser, the Profiter, the Light, the Guide, the Incomparable, the Enduring, the Inheritor, the Director, the Patient."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Asmáʾ bint Yazíd that, 'The Prophet said, "The greatest name of God is in these two verses, 'Your God is one God; there is no God but He, the Merciful, the Compassionate,' and the opening verse of Súratu Áli ʿImrán, 'Alláh, there is no God but He. He is the Living, the subsisting.'"'—At Tirmidhí, Abú Dáud, Ibn Májah.
It is related from Saʿd that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The supplication of the man of the fish (Jonah) when he called upon his Lord, when he was still in the belly of the fish, was this, 'There is no God but Thee. Praise be to Thee. Verily I was of the unjust.' No man, being a Muslim, prays this prayer in regard to anything, but it is granted to him."'—Aḥmad, At Tirmidhí.
On the Rewards of Magnifying and Praising God
It is related from Samurah bin Jnndub that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The best words are four: 'Glory be to God,' 'Praise be to God,' 'There is no God but Alláh,' and 'God is Great.'" And in another tradition it runs, "The words most loved of God are four: 'Glory be to God,' ' Praise be to God,' 'There is no God but Alláh,' and 'God is great.' It will bring you no injury if you begin with any one of them."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Whoever says, 'Glory be to God,' and, 'In His praise,' one hundred times in a day, his sins will be put away from him though they be as the foam of the sea."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Whoever says, 'There is no God but Alláh alone. He has no partner. For Him is the Kingdom and for Him the praise; and He is powerful over all,' one hundred times in a day, there will be for him a reward equal to the freeing of ten slaves; and one hundred good actions will be written for him, and one hundred evil actions will be erased for him; and they will be a protection for him against Satan on that day until the evening. And no one will come with anything better than what he brings except the man who has done more than he."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Músáuʾl-Ashʿari that he said, 'We were with the Apostle of God on a journey, and the men began to repeat the words, "God is great in a loud voice. And the Apostle of God said, "O men, be easy on yourselves. Verily ye are not calling upon One who is deaf or absent. Ye are calling upon One who hears and sees; and He is with you. And He whom ye call upon is nearer to one of you than the neck of his camel," Abú Músá said, "When I was behind him, I was saying to myself, 'There is no power and no strength, except in God,' and he said, 'O ʿAbduʾlláh bin Qais, shall I not point thee to one of the treasures of paradise?' I said, 'Yes, O Apostle of God.' He said, 'It is (the phrase), There is no power and no strength, except in God.'"'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Saʿíduʾl-Khudri that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Moses said, 'O my Lord, teach me something by which I can remember Thee and call upon Thee.' God replied, 'O Moses, say, "There is no God but Alláh."' He replied, 'O my Lord, all Thy servants say this. I only wish for something by which Thou wilt specialize me.' He said, 'O Moses, verily if the seven heavens and their inhabitants—omitting me—and the seven earths were placed in one scale, and the words, "There is no God but Alláh" in the other scale, that in which the words, "There is no God but Alláh" are placed would go down.'"'—In Sharḥuʾs-Sunnah.
It is related from Ibn Masʿúd that, 'The Apostle of God said, "I met Abraham on the night on which I made the journey to heaven, and he said, 'O Muḥammad, give my salutation to thy followers, and inform them that paradise has good earth and sweet water, and it is level, and its vegetation is, Glory be to God, Praise be to God, and There is no God but Alláh, and God is great.'"'—At Tirmidhí.
On Asking Pardon and Repentance
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "By God! I certainly ask pardon of God and repent towards Him more than seventy times a day."'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Agharuʾl-Muzanni that, 'The Apostle of God said, "O men, repent towards God; for verily I repent towards Him one hundred times in a day."—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily a servant (of God) committed a sin and said, 'My Lord, I have sinned, therefore forgive me.' His Lord said, 'Doth My servant know that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes on account of them. I have forgiven My servant.' Then he remained as long as God wished, and then he committed a sin and said, 'My Lord, I have committed a sin, therefore forgive me.' He said, 'Doth My servant know that he has a Lord who forgives sins, and punishes on account of them. I have forgiven My servant.' Then he remained as long as God wished, and afterwards he committed a sin and said, 'My Lord, I have committed another sin, therefore forgive it for me.' He said, 'Doth My servant know that he has a Lord who forgives a sin and punishes on account of it. I have forgiven My servant. Therefore let him do what he likes.'"'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Bakruʾṣ-Ṣiddíq that, 'The Apostle of God said, "That person who asks pardon, does not remain immersed in sin, although he returns to it seventy times a day."'—At Tirmidhí, Abú Dáud.
It is related from Ṣafwán bin ʿAssál that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily God Most High has placed in the West a door for repentance whose width is seventy years journey. It will not be shut so long as the sun does not rise before it (i.e. in the West). And that is the word of God Most High in the day when certain signs of thy Lord shall appear, 'The faith of no soul shall benefit it, which has not believed before that.'"'—At Tirmidhí, Ibn Májah.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily there were two men of the Children of Israel who were friends together. One of them was intent on worship, but the other used to proclaim himself a sinner. And the first began to say, 'Give up that in which thou art (entangled).' His companion said, 'Leave me and my Lord,' until one day he found him engaged in grievous sin. Then he said, 'Forsake it.' He replied, 'Leave me and my Lord. Hast thou been sent as a guardian over me!' He said, 'By God! God will never forgive thee, nor enter thee into paradise.' Then God sent an angel to them both, who took both their souls, and they were brought together near to God. He said to the sinner, 'Enter paradise by My mercy.' And He said to the other, 'Art thou able to forbid My servant My mercy?' He replied, 'No, O God.' He said (to the angels) 'Take him away to the fire.'"'—Aḥmad.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily God, the Exalted and Magnified, most certainly raises the rank of the good servant in paradise. And the latter will say, 'O Lord, why is this (dignity) for me?' He will reply, ' On account of the prayers of thy son for thee for My forgiveness.'"'—Aḥmad.
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin ʿAbbás that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There is no dead person in the grave, but he is like one immersed in water and crying for help. He expects the prayer of his father or mother or brother or friend may reach him; and when it reaches him, it is more pleasant to him than the world and all that is therein. And verily God Most High certainly causes to enter the tombs, on account of the prayers of the people of the earth, (rewards) like mountains. Verily the gifts of the living to the dead are asking forgiveness for them."'—Al Baihaqi.
It is related from ʿÁyesha that, 'Verily the Prophet used to say, "O God, make me one of those who, when they do good, rejoice; and when they do evil, pray for forgiveness.'"—Ibn Májah.
It is related from Al Ḥárith bin Suaid that he said, 'ʿAbduʾlláh bin Masʿúd related to us two traditions; one of them from the Apostle of God, and the other from himself. He said, "Verily a believer sees his sins as if he were sitting beneath a mountain, and fearing that it would fall upon him. And the sinner sees his sins as if they were a fly that had passed over his nose; and he says concerning it, 'Thus!' that is, he drives it away from him with his hand." After that (Ibn Masʿúd) said, 'I heard the Apostle of God say, "God rejoices at the repentance of one of His believing servants more than a man who alights on the ground in a destructive desert, with whom is his camel laden with his food and water. And he lays down his head and sleeps for a while, and then awakes to find that his camel has gone. Then he searches for it, until when the heat and thirst oppress him—or whatever else God wills—he says 'I will return to the place where I was, and there I will sleep until I die.' Then he places his head upon his forearm in order that he may die. And he awakes, and lo! his camel stands beside him, and on it his food and drink. Verily God rejoices more at the repentance of a believing servant, than this man at the return of his camel and food."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Dharr that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily God Most High will certainly forgive His servant, so long as a veil does not intervene." They said, "O Apostle of God, what is the veil?" He replied, "That a soul expires whilst associating something with God."'—Aḥmad.
On the Abundance of God's Mercy
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When God completed the work of creation, He wrote a book which is with Him above His throne; 'Verily my mercy outruns my anger.' And in another tradition it runs 'overcomes my anger.'"'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿOmar binuʾl-Khaṭṭáb that he said, 'Some captives appeared before the Prophet. And, lo! a woman of the captives, whose breasts were flowing with milk, when she found her child amongst the captives, took it and clasped it to her breast and suckled it. Then the Prophet said to us, "Do you think that this woman would throw her child into the fire?" We replied, "No, not if she be able to do otherwise." He said, "God is more merciful towards His servants than this woman towards her child."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Jábir that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The actions of none of you will take him into paradise, or protect him from the fire. Not even I, except by the mercy of God."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Dardái that, 'He heard the Prophet repeat from the pulpit, when he was speaking, these words; "For him who fears the standing before his Lord are two paradises." I said, "O Apostle of God, although he commit adultery and steal?" He replied a second time, "For him who fears the standing before his Lord are two paradises." I said a second time, "O Apostle of God, although he commit adultery and steal?" He replied a third time, "For him who fears the standing before his Lord are two paradises." I said a third time, "O Apostle of God, although he commit adultery and steal?" He replied, "Even though Abú Dardái's nose be humiliated thereby."'—Aḥmad.
It is related from ʿÁmiruʾr-Rám that he said, 'When we were with the Prophet, behold a man drew near to him, dressed in an upper garment, and on his head was something which he had wrapped up (in a cloth). And he said, "O Apostle of God, I passed by a thicket of trees, and I heard therein the sound of young birds. Then I took them and placed them in my upper garment, and their mother came and circled round my head. Then I uncovered them for her, and she descended upon them. Then I again wrapped them up in my garment, and they are these with me." The Prophet replied, "Put them down." Then I put them down, but their mother refused to leave them. Then the Apostle of God said, "Art thou surprised at the kindness of the mother of the young birds towards them? By Him who sent me with the truth! God is more merciful to His servants, than the mother of the young birds to her young. Return with them until thou replace them whence thou didst take them, and their mother with them." Then he returned with them.'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin ʿOmar that he said, 'We were with the Prophet in certain warlike expeditions when he passed a band of people, and asked "Who are these people?" They said, "We are Muslims." And a woman was lighting a fire under her pot, and her son was with her. And when the heat of the fire rose up, she moved him away from it. Then she came to the Prophet and said, "Art thou the Apostle of God?" He replied, "Yes." She said, "May my father and my mother be sacrified for thee! Is not God the most merciful of the merciful?" He replied, "Certainly." She said, "Is not God more merciful towards His servants than a mother towards her child?" He replied, "Certainly." She said, "Verily a mother would not cast her child into the fire!" Then the Apostle of God bowed his face to the ground weeping; afterwards he raised his head towards her and said, "Verily God does not punish any of His servants, except the rebellious one who rebels against him, and refuses to say, 'There is no God but Allah.'"'—Ibn Májah.
On What should be Said in the Morning, the
Evening, and the Time of Sleep
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh that he said, 'When the evening came the Apostle of God used to say, "We have reached the evening, and God's, kingdom has reached the evening. Praise be to God! There is no God but Alláh alone. He has no partner. His is the kingdom, and His is the praise, and He is powerful over all. O God, I ask of Thee the good of this night, and the good that is in it; and I take refuge with Thee from its evil, and the evil that is in it. O God, verily I take refuge with Thee from negligence and from the weakness of old age and from the evils of old age, and from the calamities of the world, and the punishments of the grave." And when the morning dawned he used to repeat that again (saying), "We have reached the morning, and God's kingdom has reached the morning." And in another tradition it runs, "My Lord, verily I take refuge with Thee from the punishment of the fire and the punishment of the grave."—Muslim.
It is related from Ḥudhaifa that he said, 'When the Prophet lay down at night he used to place his hand under his cheek. Then he would say, "O God, in Thy name I die and live." And when he awoke he would say, "Praise be to God who gives us life after that He caused us to die; and to Him is the resurrection."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When anyone of yon retires for rest to his bed, then let him dust his bed with the inner side of his drawers; for he does not know what may have fallen upon it. After that let him say, 'In Thy name, O my Lord, I have laid down on my side, and in Thy name I will raise it up. If Thou takest my soul, then have mercy upon it; and if thou send it back (after sleep), then guard it with that by which Thou guardest Thy victorious servants.'" And in another tradition it runs, "Then let him lie down on his right side, and after that let him say, 'In Thy Name.'" And in another tradition it runs, "Then let him dust it with the border of his garment three times," and "If Thou takest my soul, then forgive it."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, ʿAbú Bakr said, "I said, O Apostle of God, command me something which I can say when I reach the morning and when I reach the evening. He replied, "Say, 'O God, the Knower of the hidden and the revealed, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Lord of all things and Master thereof, I bear witness that there is no God but Thee; and I take refuge with Thee from the evil of my own soul, and from the evil of Satan and his associating partners (with Thee).' Say this when thou reachest the morning, and when thou reachest the evening, and when thou takest to thy bed."'—At Tirmidhí, Abú Dáud, Al Dárimi.
It is related from Abú ʿAyyásh that verily, 'The Apostle of God said, "He who says, when morning dawns, 'There is no God but Alláh alone. He has no partner. For Him is the kingdom, and for Him is the praise; and He is powerful over all,' will receive a reward equal to that for emancipating a slave of the sons of Ishmael. And ten good deeds will be written down for him, and ten evil deeds will be taken away from him; and ten degrees of eminence will be accredited to him, and he will be protected from Satan until the evening comes. And if he repeats these words when the evening comes, he will receive the same (rewards) until the morning." Then a certain man saw the Apostle of God in his sleep, when he was dreaming, and he said, "O Apostle of God, verily Abú ʿAyyásh relates concerning thee in such-and-such a way." He replied, "Abú ʿAyyásh has told the truth."'—Abú Dáud, Ibn Májah.
It is related from Thawbán that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There is no Muslim servant who says three times, when evening comes and morning comes, 'I am satisfied with Alláh as Lord, and with Islám as a religion, and with Muḥammad as a Prophet,' but it becomes incumbent on God to be satisfied with him on the day of resurrection."'—Aḥmad, At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Abú Saʿíd that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Whoever says, when he seeks rest upon his bed, 'I ask pardon of God, beside whom there is no God, the Living, the Self-subsisting; and I repent towards Him three times,' God will forgive him his sins, though they be as the foam of the sea, or in number like the sands of the desert, or in number like the leaves of the trees, or in number equal to the days of the world."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Shaddád bin Aus that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There is no Muslim who goes to bed reciting a chapter from the Book of God, but God appoints an angel over him as guard, so that nothing approaches him to hurt him until he awakes, whenever that may be."'—At Tirmidhí.
Concerning Prayer on Special Occasions
It is related from Sulaimán bin Ṣurad that he said, 'Two men were abusing each other near the Prophet, and we were sitting near him. And one of the two was reviling his companion in anger, until his face became red. Then the Prophet said, "Verily I know a word which, had he spoken it, that (anger) which he has would have gone from him, namely, 'I take refuge with God from the accursed Satan.' Then they said to the man, "Dost thou not hear what the Prophet says?" He replied, "Verily I am not mad."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When you hear the crow of a cock, then supplicate God for a portion of His grace; for verily it has seen an angel. And when you hear the bray of an ass, then take refuge with God from the accursed Satan; for verily it has seen Satan."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Ibn ʿOmar that, 'When the Apostle of God used to mount his camel in order to set out on a journey, he would say, "God is great" three times, and then say, "Praise be to Him who has made this (animal) to work for us; for we were not able to do it; and verily to our Lord do we return. O God we ask of Thee in this journey of ours virtue and abstinence and actions with which Thou wilt be pleased. O God, make this journey easy for us, and shorten for us its length. O God, Thou art the Companion on a journey, and the substitute in our families. O God, I take refuge with Thee from the difficulties of the journey, and from evil sights, and from an inauspicious return to my property and my family." And when he returned, he would repeat these words, and add to them (the words), "We return, we repent, we worship, we praise our Lord."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'A man came to the Apostle of God and said, "O Apostle of God, how much I have suffered from a scorpion which bit me yesterday!" He replied, "If thou hadst said, when thou reachedst the evening, 'I take refuge in the perfect word of God from the evil of what He has created,' it would not have injured thee."'—Muslim.
It is related from ʿAbdʾulláh bin abi Awfi that he said, 'The Apostle of God invoked a curse against the polytheists on the day (of the battle) of Ahzáb, and said, "O God, the Sender-down of the Book, the Quick in taking account, O God, put to rout the confederates. O God, put them to rout, and cause them to tremble."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Muʿádh bin Jabal that he said, 'The Prophet heard a man praying and saying, "O God, verily I supplicate of Thee complete favours." (The Prophet) said, "What are complete favours?" He replied, "This is a prayer by which I hope for good." (The Prophet) said, "Verily complete favours give an entrance into Paradise and escape from the fire." And he heard a man saying, "O Lord, to Thee be glory and honour." Then he said to him, "Thy prayer has been answered for thee, therefore ask." And the Prophet heard a man saying, "O God, verily I ask of Thee patience." The Prophet said, "Thou hast asked God for calamity; but ask Him for health."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláhuʾl-Khaṭmi that he said, 'When the Apostle of God wished to bid farewell to the army, he used to say, "I commit to the care of God your religion and your safety and the results of your actions."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from Ibn ʿOmar that, 'When the Apostle of God was on a journey and night drew near, he used to say, "O earth, my Lord and thy Lord is Alláh. I take refuge with God from thy evil, and from the evil that is in thee, and from the evil that is created in thee, and from the evil that moves over thee. And I take refuge with God from lions and black snakes and serpents and scorpions, and from the evil of the inhabitants of the land, and from the father and what he begets."'—Abu Dáud.
It is related from Anas that, 'When the Apostle of God went on a warlike expedition, he used to say, "O God, Thou art my support and my help. In Thee I devise stratagems, and in Thee I spring to the assault, and in Thee I fight."'—At Tirmidhí, Abú Dáud.
It is related from Abú Málikuʾl-Ashári that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When a man enters his house, then let him say, 'O God, I ask Thee for a favourable entrance and a favourable exit. In the name of God we enter, and on God our Lord we lean.' After that let him salute the people of the house."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from Abú Bakr that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The prayer of a person in grief is this, 'O God, for Thy mercy I hope. Do not leave me to myself for a single instant, and make all my condition favourable. There is no God but Thee.'"'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from ʿÁyesha that she said, 'When the Apostle of God sat in an assembly or prayed, he used to repeat certain words. So I asked him concerning the words. He replied, "If good words have been spoken, they will be a seal upon them till the day of resurrection; but if bad words have been spoken, they will be an atonement for them. (They are these), 'Glory be to Thee, O God, and praise be to Thee. There is no God but Thee. I ask pardon of Thee, and I repent towards Thee.'"'—An Nasái.
It is related from Abú Saʿíduʿl-Khudri that he said, 'On the day of (the battle of) the ditch we said, "O Apostle of God, is there anything which we can say, for our hearts are in our throats (from fear)." He replied, "Yes, (say) O God, guard us from our faults, and protect us from our fear." Abú Saʿíd said, 'Then God struck the faces of His enemies with a wind, and put them to rout with the wind.'—Aḥmad.
On Seeking Refuge
It is related from ʿÁyesha that, 'The Prophet used to say, "O God, I take refuge with Thee from laziness and from the weakness of old age and from debt and from that which causes me to sin. O God, verily I take refuge with Thee from the punishment of the fire and the calamity of the fire, and from the calamity of the grave and the punishment of the grave, and from the evil of the seduction of riches, and from the evil of the affliction of poverty, and from the evil of the sedition of the (false) Messiah, Dajjal. O God, wash my sins in snow-water and hail-water, and purify my heart as a white garment is cleansed from impurity, and place a distance between me and my sins, as thou hast placed a distance between the East and the West."—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿÁyesha that, 'The Apostle of God used to say, "O God, verily I take refuge with Thee from the evil which I have done, and from the evil which I have not done."'—Muslim.
It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that, 'The Apostle of God used to say, "O God, for Thee I have become a Muslim, and in Thee I trust, and upon Thee I lean, and to Thee I return, and by Thee I fight. O God, verily I take refuge in Thy honour—there is no God but Thee—lest Thou lead me astray. Thou art the Living, who dieth not; but the genii and men die."'—Muslim, Al Bukhári.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that he said, 'The Apostle of God used to say, "O God, I take refuge with Thee from four things: from knowledge which does not benefit, and from a heart which is not submissive, and from a soul that is not satisfied, and from a supplication which is not heard."'—Áḥmad, Abú Dáud, Ibn Májah.
It is related from ʿImrán bin Ḥuṣain that he said, 'The Prophet said to my father, "O Ḥuṣain, how many gods hast thou worshipped to-day?" My father replied, "Six on earth and one in heaven." He said, "Then which of them dost thou count upon (to satisfy) thy desires, and which dost thou fear?" He replied, "He who is in heaven." The Prophet said, "O Ḥuṣain, beware! If thou hadst been a Muslim, I would have taught thee two words, which would have benefitted thee." ʿImrán said, 'When Ḥuṣain became a Muslim, he said, "O Apostle of God, teach me the two words which thou promised me." He replied, "Say, O God, inspire me with regard to my proper road, and give me protection from the evil of my inner self."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Abú Saʿíd that he said, 'I heard the Apostle of God say, "I take refuge with God from infidelity and debt." Then a man said, "O Apostle of God, dost thou make infidelity equal to debt?" He replied, "Yes." And in another tradition it runs, "I take refuge from infidelity and poverty." A man said, "Are these two equal?" He replied, "Yes."'—An Nasái.
On Comprehensive Prayer
It is related from Abú Músáuʾl-Ashʿari from the Prophet, that he used to pray this prayer, "O God, forgive me my sins and my ignorance and my extravagance in my affairs, and what thou knowest better than I. O God, forgive my (wrong) intentions and my jesting and my unintentional sins and my intentional sins; for all these are with me. O God, forgive me those sins I have committed before, and those I shall commit hereafter, and those I have committed in secret, and those I have committed openly, and those which Thou knowest better than I ; for Thou art the Setter-forward and the Holder-back, and Thou art powerful over all things."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin Maʿsúd that, 'The Prophet used to say, "O God, verily I ask of Thee guidance and piety and chastity and riches."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Málikuʾl-Ashjaʿi from his father that he said, 'When a certain man became a Muslim, the Prophet taught him the prayers and then commanded him to offer supplication in these words, "O God, forgive me and have mercy on me and guide me and give me health and my daily food."'—Muslim.
It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that he said, 'The Prophet used to pray and say, "My Lord, help me, but do not help (others) against me; and give me the victory, but do not give (others) the victory over me; deceive on my behalf, but do not deceive against me; and guide me, and make the guidance easy for me; and aid me against those who oppress me. My Lord, make me grateful to Thee, and a remembrancer of Thee, and one who fears Thee. Make me obedient to Thee and humble before Thee, and one who returns to Thee with crying. My Lord, accept my repentance, and wash away my sins, and answer my prayers, and strengthen my proofs. Direct my tongue and guide my heart and take out the blackness of my heart."'—At Tirmidhí, Abú Dáud, Ibn Májah.
It is related from ʿOmar binuʾl-Khaṭṭáb that he said, 'When revelations were sent down to the Prophet, a confused sound was heard near his face like the hum of bees. And, on a certain day, revelation was sent down upon him. Then we stayed an hour, and it ceased from him. Then he turned towards the temple at Mecca and raised his hands and said, "O God, increase us, and do not diminish us; honour us, and do not abase us; give to us, and do not disappoint us; give us the precedence, and do not give others the precedence over us; satisfy us, and do Thou be satisfied with us." Then he said, "Ten verses have been sent down upon me. Whoever obeys them will enter paradise." Then he recited, "Now are the believers happy,[1]" to the end of the ten verses.'—Aḥmad, At Tirmidhí.
It is related from ʿOthmán bin Ḥunaif that he said, 'Verily a blind man came to the Prophet and said, "Pray to God that He would cure me." He replied, "If thou desirest it, I will pray, and if thou desirest, thou mayest have patience, for that is better for thee." He said, "Pray to Him." (ʿOthmán) said, "Then he ordered him to perform ablutions thoroughly and to pray this prayer, 'O God, I supplicate Thee, and turn to Thee through Thy Prophet Muḥammad, the Prophet of mercy. Verily I turn to Thee: to my Lord that He may satisfy for me these my wants. O God, accept his intercession on my behalf.'"'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Abú Dardái that, 'The Apostle of God said, "One of the prayers of David was this. He used to say, 'O God, I ask of Thee Thy love and the love of him who loveth Thee, and the action which will secure Thy love for me. O God, make Thy love more precious to me than mine own soul and my property and my family and than cold water.'" Abú Dardái said, 'When the Apostle of God mentioned David, he used to speak of him and say, "He was the greatest worshipper amongst men."'—At Tirmidhí.
- ↑ Súratuʾl-Múʾminún (xxiii) 1–10.