The Excellence of
the Remembrance of Allāh
By Imam An-Nawawi
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;
All the praise and thanks is due to Allāh, the Lord of al-‘ālamīn. I
testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad,
Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam is His Messenger.
Allāh, the Exalted, says:
- "And the remembering (praising) of (you by) Allāh (in front of the angels) is greater indeed [than your remembering (praising) of Allāh in prayers]'' (Al-Ankabut, 29:45)
- "Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying). I will remember you.'' (Al-Baqarah,2:152)
- "And remember your Rabb by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear and without loudness in words, in the mornings and in the afternoons, and be not of those who are neglectful.'' (7:205)
- "And remember Allāh much, that you may be successful.'' (Al-Jumaah, 62:10)
- "Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allāh in Islam) men and women... (up to)... And the men and the women who remember Allāh much with their hearts and tongues. Allāh has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e., Jannah).'' (Al-Ahzāb, 33:35)
- "O you who believe! Remember Allāh with much remembrance. And glorify His Praises morning and afternoon [the early morning (Fajr) and ‘Asr prayers].'' (Al-Ahzāb, 33:41,42)
1408. Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu’anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wasallam)
said, "There are two statements that are light for the tongue to remember,
heavy in the Scales and are dear to the Merciful: ‘Subhan-Allāhi wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allāhil-Azim [Glory is to Allāh
and to Him is the praise, Glory is to Allāh, the Greatest, devoid of
imperfection)'.''
[This is recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In
another narration Abu Hurairah
(radiyallāhu`anhu) also reported: Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
said, “He who recites in
the morning and in the evening the statement: ‘Subhān-Allāhi wa bihamdihi, Subhān-Allāhil-‘Adzīm (Glory is to Allāh and to Him is the Praise,
Glory is to Allāh, the Greatest Devoid of imperfection)’ one
hundred times, will
not be surpassed on the Day of Resurrection by anyone with better deeds than
one who utters the same words or utters more of these words.” [Muslim]
Commentary: This Hadith affirms that man's actions carry weight. On
the Day of Judgement, his actions will be cast into the Balance. At that time
Allāh will endow these actions with weight, or according to some scholars,
those records which register man's actions will be weighed. This is quite
possible for the reason that Almighty Allāh is Capable of weighing things
without even their physical form. This discussion apart, when actions will be
cast into the Balance, the formula mentioned in the Hadith, the utterance of
which is very easy, will prove weighty. Every Muslim should make it a practice
to repeat them frequently.
1409. Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu‘anhu)
reported: The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wasallam) said, "The uttering of the words: "Subhān-Allāh (Allāh is free from imperfection), Al-hamdu lillāh (all praise is due to
Allāh), Lā ilāha illallāh (there is
no true god except Allāh) and Allāhu
Akbar (Allāh is the Greatest)' is
dearer to me than anything over which the sun rises.''
[This is recorded by Muslim]
Commentary: This Hadith
highlights the fact that the formulas which mention the Praise and Glory of
Allāh, His Majesty and Oneness are liked by the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi
wasallam) more than anything in the world, because this is one of the virtues
which will survive and will be rewarded, while the world and all that it has
will perish.
1410. Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu’anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allāh
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "He who utters a hundred times in a day these
words: ‘Lā ilāha illallāhu, wahdahu
la sharīka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shay iñ Qadir
(there is no true god except Allāh. He is One and He has no partner with Him;
His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Omnipotent),' he will
have a reward equivalent to that for emancipating ten slaves, a hundred good
deeds will be recorded to his credit, hundred of his sins will be blotted out
from his scroll, and he will be safeguarded against the devil on that day till
the evening; and no one will exceed him in doing more excellent good deeds
except someone who has recited these words more often than him.
And he who utters: ‘Subhan-Allāhi
wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allāhil-Azim [Glory is to Allāh and to Him is the
praise, Glory is to Allāh, the Greatest, devoid of imperfection)'.one hundred
times a day, his sins will be
obliterated even if they are equal to the extent of the foam of the ocean.''
[This is recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Commentary: Here sins mean
minor sins and those which do not relate to the rights of people. This point
has already been elaborated in the preceding Ahadith.
1411. Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (radiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: The Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: "He who utters ten times: ‘Lā ilāha
illallāhu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahulmulku wa lahul hamdu, wa Huwa ‘ala
kulli shay’iñ Qadir (there is no true god except Allāh. He is One and He
has no partner with Him. His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He
is Omnipotent),' he will have a reward equal to that for freeing four slaves
from the progeny of Prophet Isma’il.''
[This is recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Commentary: "Slaves from the progeny of Isma’il'' is a simile for
very precious slaves. That is, it has the same reward to which the emancipation
of four very precious slaves is eligible.
1412. Abu Dharr (radiyallāhu‘anhu)
reported: The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said to me, "Shall I tell you the expression that is most loved
by Allāh?'' It is ‘Subhan-Allāhi wa
bihamdihi, Subhan-Allāhil-Azim [Glory is to Allāh and to Him is the praise,
Glory is to Allāh, the Greatest, devoid of imperfection)'.''
[This is recorded by Muslim]
1413. Abu Malik Al-Ash’ari (radhiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: The Messenger
of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "Wudhu' is half of Solat,
and the expression: ‘Subhān-Allāh (Allāh is free from
imperfection)' fills the Balance, and the expression: ‘Al-hamdu lillāh (Praise be to
Allāh)' fills the space between the heavens and the earth.''
[This is recorded by Muslim]
Commentary: "Tuhur’’ is
purification or Wudu', while "Tahur’’ is water or something which is used
for purification. According to some scholars, ‘Faith'' means Solah. This is
also the sense in which it has been used in the Qur'an: "And Allāh would
never make your Faith to be lost (i.e., your prayers).'' [2:143]. Thus when Solat
is the Faith, the purification is a prerequisite for Solat. Solat is not valid
without purification. Some scholars are of the opinion that Faith here means
Faith in general, as the Shāri’ah defines it: To sincerely accept and believe in
all that the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) came with, i.e., sincere
acceptance of Allāh and His Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi way sallam).
"Purification is half of the Faith'' means the acceptance that
purification is the most important article of Faith. It is like the saying of
the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) that "Hajj is ‘Arafah'', which
means that ‘Arafat (the place where the pilgrims stay on the 9th day of
Dzulhijjah) is the most important element of the Hajj. Thus, this Hadith stresses
the importance and merits of purification and offers an inducement for it. It
also mentions the eminence of the invocations mentioned in the Hadith by saying
that if they are given a form, they will fill the space between the heavens and
the earth. In other words, it is a description of the infinite vastness of the
Mercy and Grace of Allāh.
1414. Sa’ad bin Abu Waqqas
(radiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: A bedouin came to the Messenger of Allāh
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) and said to him, "Teach me a few words to
recite frequently.'' He (Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, "Say: "Lā ilāha
illallāhu wahdahu lā sharika lahu; Allāhu Akbar kabirañ, wal-hamdu lillāhi
kathiran, wa subhān-Allāhi Rabbil-’alamin; wa lā hawlā wa la quwwata
illābillāhil-’Azizil-Hakīm (there is no true god except Allāh the
One and He has no partner with Him; Allāh is the Greatest and greatness is for
Him. All praise is due to Him. Allāh, the Rabb of the worlds is free from
imperfection; there is no might and power but that of Allāh, the All-Powerful
and the All-Wise.)''' The bedouin said: "All of these for my Rabb. But
what is for me?'' Thereupon he (Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa
sallam) said, "You should say: ‘Allāhummaghfir li, warhamni, wahdini, warzuqni
(O Allāh! Grant me pardon, have mercy upon me, direct me to righteousness and
provide me subsistence)'.''
[This is recorded by Muslim]
1415. Thawban (radhiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: Whenever the Messenger of
Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) concluded his solat, Rasūlullāh would beg
forgiveness from Allāh thrice and then would recite: "Allāhumma Antas-Salamu, wa
minkas-salāmu, tabarakta ya Dzal-Jalali wal-Ikram (O Allāh, You are
the Grantor of security, and security comes from You. You are Blessing, O You
Who have majesty and nobility)!'' (Imam) Al-Awza’ie, one of the narrators of
this Hadith, was asked: "How forgiveness is to be sought?'' He answered:
"The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to say: ‘Astaghfirullāh!
Astaghfirullāh! (I beseech Allāh for forgiveness, I beseech Allāh
for forgiveness)'.''
[This is recorded by Muslim]
1416. Al-Mughirah bin Shu’bah (radiallāhu‘anhu) reported: Messenger of
Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to say at the conclusion of solat:
"Lāilāha
illallāhu wahdahu lā sharīka lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa ‘ala
kulli shay'iñ Qadīr. Allāhumma la mani ‘a lima a'tayta, wa la mu’ tiya lima
mana’ta, wa la yañfa’u dzal-jaddi, minkal-jadd. (There is no true
god except Allāh. He is One and He has no partner with Him, His is the
sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Omnipotent. O Allāh! None can deny
that which You bestow and none can bestow that which You hold back; and the
greatness of the great will be of no avail to them against You).''
[This is recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Commentary: "Al-Jaddu’’ means good luck and richness. That is,
good fortune and prosperity will not be of any avail before Allāh. What will
really benefit a person before Him are Faith and virtuous deeds. The prayer
quoted in this Hadith makes a special mention of His Oneness.
1417. It has been reported that ‘Abdullah bin Zubair (radiyallāhu’anhu)
used to recite after Taslim at the conclusion of every Solāh: "Lā ilāha
illallāhu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa ‘ala
kulli shay’iñ Qadir. Lā hawlā walā quwwata illa billāh. La ilaha illallāhu, wa
la na’budu illā iyyāh, Lahun-ni’matu, wa lahul-fadlu, wa lahuth-thana'ul-hasan.
Lā ilāha ilallāhu, mukhlisina, lahud-dina, wa lau karihal-kāfirun
(There is no true god except Allāh; He is One. To Him belongs the dominion and
to Him is all praise, and He is Powerful over all things. There is no power and
might except with (the help of) Allāh. There is no God but Allāh and we worship
none except Him, to Him belongs the bounty and to Him belongs the grace, and to
Him belongs all excellent praise; there is no deity but Allāh. We reserve our
devotion exclusively for Him though the disbelievers may detest it).'' Ibn
Az-Zubair said: The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to
celebrate Allāh's Greatness in those terms after every Solāh.
[This is recorded by Muslim]
Commentary: The invocation
mentioned in this Hadith is ordained by the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) and was his practice. To recite Shahādah repeatedly after Solāh and
to offer benediction and salutations to the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) collectively is a self-invented formula and is not consonant with the
practice of the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam).It is, therefore, a
heresy and will have no merit. Every Muslim has to follow only the preachings
and practice of the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wasallam).
1418. Abu Hurairah
(radiyallāhu’anhu) reported: The poor Emigrants came to the Messenger of Allāh
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) and said: "The
wealthy have gone with the highest ranks and lasting bliss.'' He asked:
"How is that?'' They replied: "They offer Solāh as we offer it; they
observe fast as we do; (and as they are wealthy) they perform Hajj and ‘Umrah,
and go for Jihad, and they spend in charity but we cannot, and they free the
slaves but we are unable to do so.'' The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alayhi
wasallam) said, "Shall I not teach you something with which you may
overtake those who surpassed you and with which you will surpass those who will
come after you? None will excel you unless he who does which you do.'' They
said: "Yes, please do, O Messenger of Allāh'' He (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said, "You should recite:
Tasbih “Subhān-Allāh (Allāh is free
from imperfection)”, Takbir “Allāhu
Akbar' (Allāh is Greatest)”, Tahmid “Al-hamdulillāh
(Praise be to Allāh)” thirty-three times after each Solat.''
[This is recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Abu Salih, the subnarrator of the Hadith said, when Abu Hurairah (radhiyallāhu‘anhu)
was asked about the manner of reciting Tasbih, Tahmid and Takbir, he said,
"Recite: "Subhān-Allāh,
wal-hamdulillāh, wallāhu Akbar', till all are recited thirty-three
times.
Commentary: This Hadith has
already been mentioned, but with a slightly different wording with reference to
Sahih Muslim. The elaboration made by Abu Salih apparently seems to indicate
that all the three words should be recited in combination while other religious
scholars have shown preference for reciting them separately. The purpose is,
however, attained in either way. There does arise one question here: Should one
recite each of these words thirty-three times or in all for thirty-three times?
The wording of the Hadith does not make this clear. Other Ahadith, (which will
follow soon) make it clear that each of these words is to be recited for
thirty-three times. This is how their aggregate will come to ninety-nine. The
Hadith that follows makes this point clear.
1419. Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allāh
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "He who recites after every prayer: Subhān-Allāh (Allāh is free from imperfection) thirty-three
times; Al-hamdu
lillāh (Praise be to Allāh) thirty-three times; Allāhu Akbar (Allāh is Greatest)
thirty-three times; and completes the hundred with: Lā ilāha illAllāhu, wahdahu lā sharīka
lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa ‘alā kulli shay iñ Qadīr
(There is no true god except Allāh. He is One and He has no partner with Him.
His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Omnipotent); will have
all his sins pardoned even if they may be as large as the foam on the surface
of the sea.''
[This is recorded by Muslim]
1420. Ka’ab bin ‘Ujrah (radiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: The Messenger of
Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, "There are some words, the
reciters of which will never be disappointed. These are: Tasbih [saying ‘Subhan-Allāh'
(Allāh is free from imperfection)], thirty-three times, Tahmid [saying ‘Al-hamdu
lillah' (praise be to Allāh)] thirty-three times and Takbir [saying ‘Allāhu Akbar'
(Allāh is Greatest)] thirty-four times; and these should be recited after the
conclusion of every prescribed prayer.''
[This is recorded by Muslim]
Commentary: "Muaqqibat’’
means the words of Praise and Glorification of Allāh which are recited after
Salat. This Hadith says that the words "Allāhu Akbar'' should be recited
thirty-four times.
Ibn Mas’ud (radiyallāhu’anhu) narrated that Allāh's
Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “I met Ibrāhīm (‘alaihissalam) on the Night
of Isra’ and Al- Mi’raj [i.e., The Night of Ascension]. He said: ‘Convey my greetings to your nation, O Muhammad, and tell
them that Jannah has a vast plain of pure soil and sweet water. It is a plain
levelled land, treeless plain and the seeds
are: ‘Subhān
Allāh (Glory be to Allāh)’, ‘Al-Hamdulillāh (All
praise is due to Allāh), ‘Lā Ilāha illallāh (There is none worthy of worship but Allāh)’; and ‘Allāhu Akbar (Allāh is
the Greatest).’”
[At-Tirmidzi in his takhrij, At-Tirmidzi says: “Then say: ‘Lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh
(There is no change of a condition nor power except by Allāh) in the same
manner.'']
[This is recorded by At-Tirmidzi (3462): Hasan
Gharib]
Abu Musa (radiyallāhu’anhu) narrated: Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said to
me, “Shall I not guide you to a treasure from the treasures of Jannah?” I said:
“Yes, O Messenger of Allāh!”' Thereupon he (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “(Recite)
‘Lā hawla wa
lā quwwata illa billāh’ (There is no change of a condition nor power
except by Allāh).'' [This is recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu’anhu) reported: The Messenger of
Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "The
uttering of the words: "Subhān-Allāh
(Allāh is free from imperfection), Al-hamdu
lillāh (all praise is due to Allāh), Lā
ilaha illallāh (There is no true god except Allāh) and Allāhu Akbar (Allāh is the Greatest)' is dearer to me than anything
over which the sun rises.''
[This is recorded by Muslim]
Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu’anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
said, "He who recites in the morning and in the evening the statement: “Subhān-Allāhi
wa bihamdihi, Subhān-Allāhil-Azim”(Glory
is to Allāh and to Him is the praise, Glory is to Allāh, the Greatest devoid of
imperfection)” one hundred times, will not be surpassed on the Day of
Resurrection by anyone with better deeds than one who utters the same words or
utters more of these words.''
[This is recorded by Muslim]
Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu‘anhu)
reported: Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “He who utters a hundred times in a day [another narration: morning and in
the evening] these words: ‘Lā
ilāha illallāhu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa Huwa ‘ala
kulli shay iñ Qadīr’ (There is no true god except Allāh. He
is One and He has no partner with Him; His is the sovereignty and His is the
praise, and He is Omnipotent.); He will have a reward equivalent to that for
emancipating ten slaves, a hundred good deeds will be recorded to his credit,
hundred of his sins will be blotted out from his scroll, and he will be
safeguarded against the devil on that day till the evening; and no one will
exceed him in doing more excellent good deeds except someone who has recited
these words more often than him. And he who utters: ‘Subhān-Allāhi Wa
bihamdihi, Subhān-Allāhil-‘Adzīm (Glory is to Allāh and to Him is
the praise, Glory is to Allāh, the Greatest devoid of imperfection)’ one hundred times a day, his
sins will be obliterated even if they are equal to the extent of the foam of
the ocean.''
[Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith (radiyallāhu‘anha) reported, the Mother of
the Believers: Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) came out from my
apartment in the morning as I was busy in performing Solah Fajar. He came back
in the forenoon and found me sitting there. Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said, "Are you still in the same position as I left you.'' I
replied in the affirmative. Thereupon Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
said, "I recited four words three times after I had left you. If these are
to be weighed against all you have recited since morning, these will be
heavier. These are: Subhānallāhi wa bihamdihi, ‘adada khalqihi, wa rida
nafsihi, wa zinata ‘arshihi, wa midada kalimatih. [Allāh is free
from imperfection and I begin with His praise, as many times as the number of
His creatures, in accordance with His Good Pleasure, equal to the weight of His
Throne and equal to the ink that may be used in recording the words (for His
Praise)].''[This is recorded by Muslim]. The recitation of the words is highly
meritorious and rewarding because they are full of Praise and Glorification of
Allāh. The two later Dzikir
appropriate for Dhuha and After ‘Asar.
1421. Sa’ad bin Abu Waqqas (radiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: The Messenger
of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) used to seek (Allāh's) protection after
prayers in these words: "Alla-humma inni a’udhu bika minal-jubni wal-bukhl, wa a ‘udhu bika min
an uradda ila ardhalil- ‘umur, wa a ‘udzu bika min fitnatid-dunya, wa a ‘udhu
bika min fitnatil-qabr (O Allāh, I seek refuge with You from
cowardice, miserliness and from being sent back to a feeble age; and, seek
refuge with You from the trials of this life and those of the grave).''
[Al-Bukhari]
Commentary: Some religious
scholars are of the opinion that it is better to observe reciting this Du’a
after concluding prayers, and that it is better to combine both. Some scholars
say that the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to recite this Du’a
just before Taslim, while he used to recite the Du’a mentioned earlier after
Taslim.
1422. Mu’adz (radiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allāh
(Sallallāhu 'alayhi wasallam) took hold of my hand and said, "O Mu’adz! By
Allāh I love you, so I advise you to never forget to recite after every prayer:
"Allāhumma
a ‘inni ala dzikrika, wa shukrika, wa husni ‘ibadatika (O Allāh,
help me remember You, to be grateful to You, and to worship You in an excellent
manner).''
[This is recorded by Abu Dawud].
Commentary: This Hadith stresses the fact that one should seek the
Help of Allāh for His remembrance, thanksgiving and worship, because one cannot
do anything without His Help and Support. It also shows the superiority of Mu’adz
(radiyallāhu‘anhu) and the Prophet's love for him.
1423. Abu Hurairah (radhiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: The Messenger of
Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "When anyone of you has done his
Tashahhud during Solat, he should seek refuge in Allāh against four things and
say: "Allāhumma
inni a’udzu bika min ‘adzābi jahannam, wa min ‘adzābil-qabr, wa min
fitnatil-mahya wal-mamāt, wa min sharri fitnatil-masihid-dajjal (O
Allāh! I seek refuge in You from the torment of Hell, from the torment of the
grave, from the trials of life and death, and from the mischief of Al-Masih
Ad-Dajjal (Antichrist).''
[This is recorded by Muslim]
Commentary: "Trials of
life'' means ordeals which one has to face in life and which can harm his Faith
and body.”The trials of death'' means the troubles which one has to face before
death. "Masih'' means Mumsuh-ul-’Ain, one who is squint. Ad-Dajjal
(deceiver, impostor) refers to that man with a squint who will appear before
the Day of Judgement. This is why he is called Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal. He will make
claim of godhood and in order to test the Faith of people, Allāh will get some
supernatural works done from him. The pious ones would, however, recognize him
and will save themselves from his trap. This will be a great trial indeed and
one must seek refuge with Allāh from it.
1424. ‘Ali Ibn Abu Talib (radhiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: When the
Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was in Solat, Rasulullah
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to supplicate towards the end of prayer
after Tashahhud and before the concluding salutations (Taslim): "Allāhum-maghfir
li ma qaddamtu wa ma akh-khartu, wa ma asrartu, wa ma a’lantu, wa ma asraftu,
wa ma Anta a’lamu bihi minni. Antal-Muqqadimu, wa Antal-Mu'akh-khiru. Lā ilāha
illa Anta (O Allāh! Forgive my former and latter sins, which I have
done secretly and those which I have done openly, and that I have wronged
others, and those defaults of mine about which You have better knowledge than I
have. You Alone can send whomever You will to Jannah, and You Alone can send
whomever You will to Hell-fire. None has the right to be worshipped but You.''
[Muslim].
1425. ‘Aishah (radhiyallāhu’anha) reported: The Prophet (Sallallāhu
'alayhi wasallam) used to recite frequently in his ruku’ and sujud: "Subhanak-Allāhumma,
Rabbana wa bihamdika. Allāhum-maghfir li
(How perfection is Thou, O Allāh! Our Lord and the Praised are indeed
for Thou. O Allāh! Forgive me), [This is recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
1426. ‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha) reported: The Messenger of Allāh
(Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) used to recite in his ruku’ and sujud: "Subbuhun
Quddusun, Rabbul-mala'ikati war-ruh (You are the Most Glorious. The
Most Holy. You the Rabb of the angels and of Jibril)
[This is recorded by Muslim].
Commentary: "Subbuh’’ and
"Qudus'' are two attributive Names of Allāh which denote His Perfect
Purity and Uniqueness.”Ar-Ruh'' means Jibril (Gabriel). Although he, too, comes
in the category of angels but his special mention is made here to emphasize his
majesty and honour. In short, the recitation of the prayers mentioned in this
Hadith is in keeping with the practice of the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa
sallam).
1427. Ibn ‘Abbas (radhiyallāhu‘anhu)
reported: The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wasallam) said:
"Glorify your Lord in Ruku’ (bowing posture) and exert yourself in
supplication in prostration. Thus your supplications are liable to be
accepted.''
[This is recorded by Muslim].
1428. Abu Hurairah
(radhiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa
sallam) said, "A slave becomes nearest to his Rabb when he is in Sujud. So
increase supplications while Sajdah.''
[This is recorded by Muslim].
Commentary: Both the Ahadith
mentioned above, evidently show that there is greater possibility of acceptance
of an invocation which is made in prostration. Therefore, one must do it in the
voulntary Solat.
1429. Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam)
used to say in his prostration: Allāhum-maghfir
li dzanbi kullahu: diqqahu wa jillahu, wa ‘awwalahu wa akhirahu, wa alaniyatahu
wa sirrahu (O Allāh! Forgive all my sins, the small and the great, first
and the last, the open and the secret).''
[This is recorded by Muslim].
Commentary: Although the
Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was innocent and free of sins, he used to
pray for the forgiveness of his shortcomings out of his gratitude to Allāh's
Might and Majesty. Thus, this Hadith has a great lesson for us. In spite of
being innocent, he was always fearful of the Wrath of Allāh, while we, despite
being embodiments of sins, are fearless of Allāh.
1430. ‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha) reported: One
night I missed the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wasallam) from his
bed. I searched for him. When I found him he was in bowing or prostrating
posture and was reciting: "Subhānak-Allāhumma,
Rabbana wa bihamdika. Allāhum-maghfir li (O Allāh! You are free from imperfection
and I begin with praising You. Forgive my sins).''
Another narration is: My hand fell over his feet while he was in
prostration with his feet erect. He was supplicating: "Allāhumma inni a ‘udzu biridaka min
sakhatika, wa bi-mu ‘afatika min ‘uqubatika, wa a ‘udzu bika minka, la uhsi
thana'an alaika, Anta kama athnaita ‘ala
Nafsika (O Allāh! I seek protection
against Your Wrath in Your Pleasure. I seek protection in Your Pardon against
Your chastisement, I am not capable of enumerating praise of You. You are as
You have lauded Yourself).''
1431. Sa’ad bin Abu Waqqas
(radhiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: We were with the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu
‘alayhi wasallam) when he asked, "Is anyone of you unable to earn a
thousand good deeds?'' One of those present asked: "How can one earn
thousand good deeds in a day?'' He (Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) replied,
"By saying: Subhan Allāh a
hundred times, then one thousand good deeds will be recorded for him or
one thousand sins will be blotted out from his record.''
[This is recorded by Muslim].
Commentary: One thousand good deeds in return for saying the word
"Subhan-Allāh'' is a minimum reward under the promise that says i.e., ten-fold reward would be given for each
good deed. The words "Au yuhattu'' is open to disagreement among the religious
scholars. Some of them have mentioned it with "Au'' which means one gets
one thousand good deeds or a thousand sins are forgiven; while others have
mentioned this Hadith with the word "Wa yuhattu'', that is, one is given a
thousand virtues and a similar number of sins are pardoned.
1432. Abu Dharr (radhiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allāh
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "Every morning charity is due from
every joint bone of the body of every one of you. Every utterance of Allāh's
Glorification (i.e., Subhān-Allāh) is an act of charity, and every
utterance of praise of Him (i.e., Al-hamdu lillah) is an act of charity, and
every utterance of profession of Faith (i.e., Lā ilāha illAllāh) is an act of
charity, and every utterance of His Greatness (i.e., Allāhu Akbar) is an act of
charity; and enjoining good is an act of charity and forbidding what is
disreputable is an act of charity; and two Raka’ah solah which one offers in the forenoon
(Ad-Duha) will suffice for all this.''
[This is recorded by Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith has already been mentioned. See Hadith No.
118. It brings into prominence the distinction of the two Raka’ah of Ad-Duha as
it is a means to express one's gratitude to Allāh for 360 joints in one's body.
Similarly, the Praise and Glorification of Allāh, the declaration of His
Oneness, enjoining good and forbidding vices are all Sadaqah of man's body.
1433. Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith (radiyallāhu’anha) reported, the
Mother of the Believers: The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) came out
from my apartment in the morning as I was busy in performing the dawn prayer.
He came back in the forenoon and found me sitting there. The Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, "Are you still in the same position
as I left you.'' I replied in the affirmative. Thereupon the Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "I recited four words three times
after I had left you. If these are to be weighed against all you have recited
since morning, these will be heavier. These are: Subhan-Allāhi wa bihamdihi, ‘adada
khalqihi, wa rida nafsihi, wa zinatah ‘arshihi, wa midada kalimatihi [Allāh is free from imperfection and I begin with His
praise, as many times as the number of His creatures, in accordance with His
Good Pleasure, equal to the weight of His Throne and equal to the ink that may
be used in recording the words (for His Praise)].''
[Muslim].
Commentary: The recitation of the words quoted in this Hadith is
highly meritorious and rewarding because they are full of Praise and
Glorification of Allāh.
1434. Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari
(radiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: The Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, "The similitude of one who remembers
his Rabb and one who does not remember Him, is like that of the living and the
dead.''
[This is recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: Lack of remembrance
of Allāh is akin to death. When a person dies, he is unable to do anything.
Similarly, a person who does not remember Allāh goes so far from Him that he
cannot do anything which can benefit him.
1435. Abu Hurairah
(radhiyallāhu’anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alayhi
wasallam) said, "Allāh the Exalted says: ‘I am as my slave expects me to
be, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me inwardly, I will
remember him inwardly, and if he remembers Me in an assembly, I will remember
him in a better assembly (i.e., in the assembly of angels).''
[This is recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: "I am as my
slave expects me to be'' means that one should have the conviction that He
accepts repentance, grants pardon, relieves people of their tensions and
emancipates them from their troubles. Along with this conviction one should do
good deeds which please Allāh and avoid such deeds which have been prohibited
by Him. With this conduct, one should hope for the best from Allāh. This
approach is similar to that of a cultivator who ploughs his land, sows the
seed, waters it, takes every possible care of it and then cherishes hope for a
good crop. It can also be linked to the endeavours of a person who intends to
become a scholar, or a physician or an engineer. The first and foremost
requirement to pursue his ambition is to study the books through which he can
gain the required knowledge. For every work one intends to do, one has to first
make a foundation and then acquire the means essential for it. It is only then
that one can hope to achieve one's aim.
Similar is the case of associating good hopes with Allāh. Unless a
person does not furnish the foundation of Faith and good deeds for it, it will
be unwise to associate good hopes with Allāh. A slave who rather than serving
his master runs away or annoys him and still hopes that his master being so
kind will not take him to task for his excesses would be called stupid by the
people. The same is true of Allāh, who is certainly the Most Compassionate, the
Most Merciful and Forgiving. But for whom is He so? The answer is for His
faithful and obedient slaves and not for those who are followers of Satan. For
Satan and his followers, Allāh's Decision is that: "I will fill Hell with
you (Iblis) and those of them (mankind) that follow you, together.'' (38:85).
1436. Abu Hurairah
(radhiyallāhu’anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alayhi
wasallam) said, "The Mufarridun have gone ahead.'' He was asked, "Who
are the Mufarridun?'' He (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) replied, "Those men
and women who frequently celebrate the remembrance of Allāh.''
[This is recorded by Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith
highlights the following two points: First, the eminence of plentiful
remembrance of Allāh. People who have this quality will be ahead of others in
reward on the Day of Judgement. Second, people who remember Allāh and are
obedient to Him, be they men or women, will be rewarded equally. In the matter
of reward no distinction will be made on the basis of their gender.
1437. Jabir bin Abdullah (radiyallāhu’anhu) reported: I heard the
Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wasallam) saying, "The best way to
celebrate the remembrance of Allāh is to say: Lā ilāha illallāh (there is no
true god except Allāh).''
[This is recorded by At-Tirmidzi].
Commentary: Since the Shahadah
is the basis of Islam, its repetition in abundance has the greatest eminence.
Some religious scholars regard only Lā ilāha illAllāh as eminent, while others
hold that the second part of it (Muhammad is the Messenger of Allāh) is also
included in it. Thus, in their opinion both these parts of the Shahadah should
be recited together.
1438. ‘Abdullah bin Busr (radhiyallāhu’anhu) reported: One of the
Companions said, "O Messenger of Allāh. There are many injunctions of
Islam for me. So tell me something to which I may hold fast.'' He said,
"Keep your tongue wet with the remembrance of Allāh.''
[At-Tirmidzi].
Commentary: Shari‘ie is the
plural of Shari’ah, Shari’ah is in the sense of Mashru’ah, that is the Divine
injunctions. These Divine injunctions are of various kinds, i.e., some of them
are obligatory, some desirable and some voluntary. The obligatory ones are
compulsory and their compliance is indispensable. What is termed as Mustahabbat
(desirables) are also highly important for gaining the Pleasure of Allāh?
Similarly, voluntary acts are a means of getting close to Allāh. Ordinary
people are sometimes puzzled by the abundance of the latter and want to adhere
to the first two that is obligations and what comes in the category of
desirables. A desire to this effect is mentioned in this Hadith. The Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa sallam) answered the query in this matter by saying to
the inquirer, "Keep your tongue wet with the remembrance of Allāh.''
Keeping the tongue wet with the remembrance of Allāh here means its abundant
recitation. In other words, one should make the remembrance of Allāh a
permanent feature. If one is not able to do many voulntary good works, which
some people find difficult, the remembrance of Allāh will make up the
deficiency in that regard.
1439. Jabir bin ‘Abdullah (radiyallāhu’anhu) reported: The Prophet
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "For him who says: ‘Subhan-Allāhi wa
bi hamdihi (Allāh is free from imperfection, and I begin with
praising Him, and to Him),' a palm-tree will be planted in Jannah.''
[This is recorded by At-Tirmidzi]
Commentary: Jannah is so vast that we cannot even imagine its
vastness. The planting of trees in return for the Praise and Glorification of
Allāh is, therefore, neither something difficult nor surprising. So, there
should not be any hesitation in accepting it as a fact. Some people take it is
as a metaphor for a plentiful reward.
1440. ‘Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (radiyallāhu‘anhu) reported:
Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “I met Ibrāhīm (‘alayhissalam) on the Night of Ascension (Isra’ and Al- Mi’raj), and he said to me: ‘O Muhammad, conveys my greetings to your Ummah, and
tell them that Jannah has a vast plain of pure soil and sweet water. It is a
plain levelled land, treeless plain and the seeds are: Subhān-Allāh, Al-hamdu lillāh, Lā ilāha illallāh and Allāhu Akbar (Allāh is free from imperfection; Praise be to
Allāh; There is no true god except Allāh; and Allāh is Greatest).'' [At-Tirmidzi in his takhrij says: “Then say: ‘Lā
hawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh (there is no change of a condition
nor power except by Allāh) in the same manner’.”]
[At-Tirmidzi (3462)].
[At-Tirmidzi].
Commentary: Qi’an is the plural of Qa’ which means plain levelled
land that does not have any tree. Trees grow on the plain land of Jannah in
return for remembrance and Glorification of Allāh. The more one remembers
Allāh, the greater is the number of trees which grow on the piece of land that
will be awarded to him.
1441. Abu Darda (radiyallāhu’anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allāh
(Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "Shall I
not inform you of the best of your actions which are the purest to your Rabb,
which exalt you to the high ranks, which are more efficacious than spending
gold and silver (in charity), and better for you than you should encounter your
enemies whom you will smite their necks and they will smite your necks?''
They said, "Certainly.'' Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "Remembrance
of Allāh the Exalted.''
[This is recorded by At-Tirmidzi].
Commentary: This Hadith also
tells us about the eminence of remembrance of Allāh, as the basis of every good
deed is remembrance of Allāh and expression of one's devotion and obedience to
Him. Without these two, even the greatest virtue is useless and is of no value.
Thus, we must always bear it in mind that remembrance of Allāh is superior to
everything else.
1442. Sa’ad bin Abu Waqqas
(radiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) and I went to see a woman. She had date-stones or pebbles in front of
her, and she was counting and reciting Tasbih. [‘Subhan-Allāh' (Allāh is free
from imperfection)]. He said, "Shall I not inform you of what is easier or
better than this for you?'' You should say: ‘Subhan-Allāhi ‘adada ma khalaqa fis-sama',
wa subhan-Allāhi ‘adada ma khalaqa fil-ardi, wa subhan-Allāhi ‘adada ma baina
dhalika, wa subhan-Allāhi ‘adada ma Huwa Khaliqun, wallāhu Akbaru mithla
dhalika, wal-hamdu lillahi mithla dhalika, wa la ilaha illallāhu mithla
dhalika, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi mithla dhalika (Subhan-Allāh,
equal to the number of what He created in the heaven; and Subhan-Allāh, equal
to the number of His creatures in the earth; and Subhan-Allāh, equal to the
number in between them; and Subhan-Allāh equal to the number of those He will
create).' Then say: ‘Allāhu Akbar' (Allāh is Greatest) in the same
way. Then say: ‘Al-hamdu
lillah' (praise be to Allāh) in the same way. Then say: ‘La ilaha
illAllāh' (there is no true god except Allāh) in the same way. Then
say: ‘La
hawla wa la quwwata illa billah' (there is no change of a condition
nor power except by Allāh) in the same manner.''
[This is recorded by At-Tirmidzi].
1443. Abu Musa
(radiyallāhu‘anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said to me, "Shall I not guide you
to a treasure from the treasures of Jannah?'' I said: "Yes, O Messenger of
Allāh!'' Thereupon he (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "(Recite) ‘Lā hawla wa lā quwwata illa billāh’
(There is no change of a condition nor power except by Allāh).''
[This is recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: In this Hadith the invocation "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah''
has been regarded a treasure of Jannah or one of the most precious stores of
Jannah. The reason for its high eminence seems to be that through it, one makes
a confession of his utter weakness and helplessness and attributes all power
and authority to Allāh, and this is very much liked by Allāh. This statement is
an outright admission that man has no power and if he can prevent himself from
any mischief or do any good deed, it is only by the Will of Allāh and His
Permission.
And Allāh Almighty knows best.
[Via Wponline.Org, The Excellence of the Remembrance of
Allāh, Chapter 244,
Riyad-Us-Saliheen
Compiled, By Al-Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf
An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi]
