The Book of Remembrance and Supplication
Establishing Circles of Remembrance
① It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
إذا مررتم برياض الجنة فارتعوا
“When you pass through the gardens of Paradise, eat and drink to your fill.”
The noble companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked:
“O Messenger of Allah! What is meant by the gardens of Paradise?”
The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
حلق الذكر
“Circles of remembrance.”
Supplication and its Etiquettes
① It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
ينزل ربنا كل ليلة إلى سماء الدنيا حين يبقى ثلث الليل الآخر فيقول : من يدعوني فأستجيب له ، من يسألني فأعطيه ، من يستغفرني فأغفر له
“Our Lord descends every night when one-third of the night remains to the lowest heaven and says: Who is there to call upon Me so that I may answer him? Who is there to ask Me so that I may give him? Who is there to seek My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?”
② It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
من سره أن يستجيب الله له عند الشدائد والكرب فليكثر الدعاء فى الرخاء
“Whoever likes that Allah accepts his supplications during times of hardship and distress, then he should supplicate abundantly during times of ease and prosperity.”
③ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
أقرب ما يكون العبد من ربه وهو ساجد فأكثروا الدعاء
“A servant is closest to his Lord while in prostration, so increase supplication in that state.”
④ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (RA) also narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
ادعوا الله وأنتم موقنون بالإجابة ، واعلموا أن الله لا يستجيب دعاء من قلب غافل لاه
“Pray to Allah with certainty of acceptance, and know that Allah does not accept supplication made with a heedless and careless heart.”
⑤ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Nu’man bin Bashir (RA) that the Prophet (PBUH) said:
الدعاء هو العبادة
“Supplication is worship.”
⑥ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Mas’ud (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) liked that supplication be made three times and forgiveness be sought three times (i.e., the words of supplication and seeking forgiveness be said three times each).
⑦ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abi bin Ka’b (RA) that when the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) mentioned a person, he would supplicate for him, but he (PBUH) would begin with supplicating for himself.
Praying in the Absence of a Muslim Brother
① It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Darda رضی اللہ عنہ that he heard the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم say:
ما من عبد مسلم يدعو لأخيه بظهر الغيب إلا قال الملك : ولك بمثل
“When a Muslim person prays for his Muslim brother in his absence, the angel says: May you receive the same” (meaning the angel prays the same prayer for the one who prays).
② It is also narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Darda رضی اللہ عنہ that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم used to say:
دعوة المرء المسلم لأخيه بظهر الغيب مستجابة ، عند رأسه ملك موكل كلما دعا لأخيه بخير قال الملك الموكل به : آمين ولك بمثل
“The prayer of a servant which he makes for his Muslim brother in his absence is accepted. There is an angel appointed near his head, whenever he prays good for his brother, the appointed angel says: Ameen! And for you is the same.”
③ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr رضی اللہ عنہما that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
أسرع الدعاء إجابة دعوة غائب لغائب
“The prayer made for someone in his absence is accepted the fastest.”
