Selections from Muḥammadan Traditions/Chapter 9
IX
THE BOOK OF SUPPLICATIONS
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There is a supplication which is accepted from every prophet. And every prophet hastened to offer his supplication; but I have concealed my supplication, namely intercession for my people, until the day of resurrection; and it will be available, if God will, for whoever of my people dies without associating anything with God."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "O God, verily I have received a covenant from Thee which Thou wilt never break. But I am only a man, therefore whomsoever of the believers I injure, or revile, or curse, or scourge, do Thou make these for him prayers and alms and a means by which Thou mayest bring him near to Thyself on the day of resurrection."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When anyone of you prays, then let him not say, 'O God, forgive me, if Thou wilt; have mercy on me, if Thou wilt;' but let him pray with firm purpose. For He will do what He wishes; there is none who can compel him."'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Nuʿmán bin Bashír that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Supplication is worship." Then he recited (the words); "Your Lord said, 'Call upon me, and I will answer you.'"'—Aḥmad, At Tirmidhí, Abú Dáud, Ibn Majáh, An Nasái.
It is related from Ibn Masʿúd that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Pray to God for his favours, for verily God loves to be supplicated. And the best part of worship is waiting for relief."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He who would be pleased by God's answering his prayer in times of distress, let him multiply his prayers in times of abundance."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Pray to God when you are certain that it will be answered; for know ye that God will not answer the prayer of a proud and negligent heart."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from ʿOmar binuʾl-Khaṭṭáb that he said, 'I asked permission of the Prophet to make the lesser pilgrimage, and he gave me permission. And he said, "O dear brother, make us partners in thy supplications, and do not forget us." He said a thing than which the whole world in exchange would not have pleased me more.'—Abú Dáud, At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Anas that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Let each one of you supplicate his Lord for all his needs, even to asking him for his bootlaces when they are broken."' And in a tradition from Thábituʾl-Bunáni it is added, 'Even to asking Him for salt, and to asking Him for his boot-lace when it is broken.'—At Tirmidhí.
On Remembering God, and Approaching Near to Him
It is related from Abú Hurairah and Abú Saʾíd that, 'The Apostle of God said, "No people sit remembering God, but the angels encompass them about, and mercy covers them over, and there comes down upon them the Sakinah, and God remembers them amongst those who are near Him."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Músá that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The likeness of him who remembers his Lord, and of him who remembers Him not, is as the living and the dead."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Dharr that, 'The Apostle of God said, "God most High says, 'He who comes with one good action will get ten (rewards) like unto it and more. And he who comes with one evil action, its punishment is one evil equal thereto, or I will forgive him. And he who approaches near to me one span, I will approach near to him one cubit; and he who approaches near to me one cubit, I will approach near to him one fathom; and whoever approaches me walking, I will come to him running; and he who meets me with sins equivalent to the whole world, but does not associate anything with me, I will greet him with forgiveness equal to it.'"'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily God has certain angels who go round the roads seeking people who remember Him; and when they find a people who remember God, they cry out, 'Come ye to what ye seek.'" He said, "Then they surround them on all sides with their wings,, even to the skies of the world. Then their Lord asks them—and He knows better than they—'What say My servants?' They reply, 'They adore Thee and magnify Thee and praise Thee and glorify Thee.' Then He says, 'Have they seen Me?' They reply, 'No, by God! they have not seen Thee.' He says, 'How would it be if they had seen me?' They reply, 'If they had seen Thee, they would have worshipped Thee still more earnestly and glorified Thee still more earnestly and praised Thee still more.' He says, 'And what do they ask?' They say, 'They ask of Thee paradise.' He says, 'And have they seen it?' They say, 'No, by God! O Lord, they have not seen it.' He says, 'How would it be if they had seen it?' They say, 'If they had seen it, they would have longed still more for it, and would have searched still more for it, and would have desired it still more.' He says, 'From what do they seek protection?' They say, 'From the fire.' He says, 'Have they seen it?' They say, 'No by God! O Lord, they have not seen it.' He says, 'Then how would it be if they had seen it?' They say, 'If they had seen it, they would have fled from it still more, and would have feared it still more.' He says, 'I call you to witness that verily I have forgiven them.' Then one of the angels says, 'Such an one amongst them is not (really) of them. He only came of necessity.' He says, 'They are sitting (with those who remember me). Their sitting will not render them unhappy.'"'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Ḥanzalah bínuʾl-Rubaiʾul-Usaidi that he said, ʿAbú Bakr met me and said, "How art thou, O Hanzalah?" I said, "Hanzalah has become a hypocrite." He replied, "Praise be to God! What sayest thou?" I said, "We stay with the Apostle of God when he reminds us of the fire and paradise, and it seems as if we see them with our eyes; but when we go out from the Apostle of God we become busy with our wives and children and cultivated lands, and we forget much." Abú Bakr said, "By God! verily we meet (difficulties) like this." Then Abú Bakr and I departed until we entered in to the Apostle of God. And I said, "O Apostle of God, Ḥanzalah has become a hypocrite." Then the Apostle of God said, "What is that?" I said, "O Apostle of God, we stay with thee when thou dost remind us of the fire and paradise, and it seems as if we see them with our eyes. But when we go out from thee, we become busy with our wives and children and cultivated lands, and forget much." The Apostle of God said, "By Him in whose hand is my life! if you had continued in that state in which you were with me, and in remembrance of me, verily the angels would have taken you by the hand on your beds and in your journeys; but O Ḥanzalah, give an hour (to religion) and an hour (to worldly duties)." This he said three times.'—Muslim.
It is related from Thawbán that he said, 'When the verse descended, "To those who treasure up gold and silver," we were with the Prophet in some of his journeys. And some of his companions said, "The revelation came down concerning gold and silver. If we had known what property was better, we would have taken it." He replied, "Better than these is a remembering tongue and a grateful heart, and a believing wife who helps him in his faith."'—Aḥmad, At Tirmidhí, Ibn Májah.