IN51-The Excellence of Remembering Allah/How to Glorified/Goodness & Good

IN-51

The excellence of remembering Allah

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: Whoever says:
Subhaanallaahi wa bihamdihi.

Glorified is Allah and praised is He.

one hundred times a day, will have his sins forgiven even if they are like the foam of the sea.
Reference: Al-Bukhari 7/168, Muslim 4/2071, see also invocation no. 91 of this book.

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: Whoever says:

Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa Huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer.

None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things.

ten times, will have the reward for freeing four slaves from the Children of Isma'il.

Reference: Al-Bukhari 7/67, Muslim 4/2071, see also invocation no. 93 of this book.

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: Two words are light on the tongue, weigh heavily in the balance, and are loved by the Most Merciful One:

Subhaanal-laahi wa bihamdihi, Subhaanal-laahil-'Adheem.

Glorified is Allah and praised is He , Glorified is Allah the Most Great.

Reference: Al-Bukhari 7/168, Muslim 4/2072.

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: For me to say:

Subhaanallaahi, walhamdu lillaahi, wa laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu, wallaahu 'Akbar.

Glory is to Allah, and praise is to Allah, and there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and Allah is the Most Great.

is dearer to me than all that the sun rises upon (i.e. the whole world).

Reference: Muslim 4/2072.

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said:

"Is anyone of you incapable of earning one thousand Hasanah (rewards) in a day?" Someone from his gathering asked, "How can anyone of us earn a thousand Hasanah':'" He said, "Glorify Allah a hundred times and a thousand Hasanah will be written for you, or a thousand sins will be wiped away."

Reference: Muslim 4/2073.

Whoever says:

Subhaanallaahil-'Adheemi wa bihamdihi.

Glorified is Allah the Most Great and praised is He.

will have a date palm planted for him in Paradise.

Reference: At-Tirmithi 5/511, and Al-Hakim who graded it authentic and Ath-Thahabi agreed 1/501. See also Al-Albani, Sahihul-Jami' As-Saghir 5/531 and Sahih At-Tirmithi3/160.

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: "O Abdullah bin Qais, should I not point you to one of the treasures of Paradise?" I said, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah." So he told me to say:

Laa hawla wa laa quwwata 'illaa billaah.

There is no power and no might except by Allah.

Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 11/213, Muslim 4/2076.

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: The most beloved words to Allah are four:

Subhaanallaah, Walhamdu lillaah, Wa laa 'ilaaha 'illallaah and Wallaahu 'Akbar.

Glorified is Allah, The praise is for Allah, There is none worthy of worship but Allah, Allah is the Most Great

Reference: Muslim 3/1685.

A desert Arab came to Allah's Messenger (SAW) and said, "Teach me a word that I can say. " The Prophet told him to say:

Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, Allaahu 'Akbaru kabeeran, walhamdu lillaahi katheeran, Subhaanallaahi Rabbil-'aalameen, laa hawla wa laa quwwata 'illaa biilaahil-'Azeezil-Hakeem.

There is none worthy of worship but Allah , Who has no partner, Allah is the Great, the Most Great, and praise is to Allah in abundance, glory is to Allah, Lord of the worlds . There is no power and no might but by Allah the Mighty, the Wise.

He said, "That is for my Lord, but what about me?" The Prophet (SAW) told him to say:
Allaahummaghfir lee, warhamnee, wahdinee warzuqnee

O Allah forgive me, and have mercy on me and guide me, and provide for me.

Reference: Muslim 4/2072, Abu Dawud reports the same Hadith with the addition: and when the Arab left, the Prophet (SAW) said: "He has filled his hands with goodness." 1/220.

Whenever anyone accepted Islam, the Prophet (SAW) used to teach him how to pray then he would instruct him to invoke Allah with the following words:

Allaahummaghfir lee, warhamnee, wahdinee, wa 'aafinee warzuqnee.

O Allah forgive me, and have mercy on me and guide me and give me good health and provide for me.

Reference: Muslim 4/2073, and in one of Muslim's reports there is the addition: 'For these words combine [the goodness of] this world and the next.'

The most excellent invocation is:

Alhamdu lillaah.

Praise is for Allah.

Laa'ilaaha'illallaah.

There is none worthy of worship but Allah.

Reference: At-Tirmithi 5/462, Ibn Majah 2/1249, and Al-Hakim who graded it authentic and Ath-Tbahabi agreed 1/503. See Al-Albani, Sahihul-Jami' As-Saghir 1/362.

The good deeds which endure are:

Subhaanallaah, Walhamdu lillaah, Wa laa 'ilaaha 'illallaah, Wallaahu 'Akbar and Wa laa hawla wa laa quwwata 'illaa billaah

Glorified is Allah, The praise is for Allah, There is none worth of worship but Allah, Allah is the Most Great and There is no power and no might except by Allah

Reference: Ahmad (no. 513) (Ahmad Shakir, ed.) and its chain of narration is authentic. See Majma'uz-Zawa'id 1/297. Ibn Hajar mentions it in Bulughul-Maram saying that Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim considered it authentic

How the Prophet (SAW), glorified Allah

Abdullah bin 'Amr (RA) said: "I saw the Prophet (SAW) counting the glorification of his Lord on his right hand."

Reference: Abu Dawud with a different wording 2/81, and At-Tirmithi 5/521. See also Al-Albani, Sahihul-Jami'As-Saghir 4/271 (no. 4865).

Types of goodness and good etiquette for community life

When evening descends, bring your children indoors for the devils scatter out at this hour. Then after the passing of an hour (i.e. the first hour) of the night, (you may) let them (the children) go. Close your doors while mentioning the Name of Allah, for the devil may not open a closed door. Fasten your waterskins mentioning the Name of Allah. Cover your eating vessels mentioning the Name of Allah even if you just put something over it, and extinguish your lamps.
Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 10/88, Muslim 3/1595.

IN50-Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness

IN-50

Repentance and seeking forgiveness

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: "By Allah, I seek the forgiveness of Allah, and repent to Him more than seventy times in a day.

Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 11/101.

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: "O people, repent to Allah, for I verily repent to Him one hundred times a day.

Reference: Muslim 4/2076.
250. Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: Whoever says:

'Astaghfirullaahal-'Adheemal-lathee laa 'ilaaha 'illaa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoomu wa 'atoobu 'ilayhi.

I seek the forgiveness of Allah the Mighty, Whom there is none worthy of worship except Him, the Living, the Eternal, and I repent to Him, Allah will forgive him even if he has deserted the army's ranks.

Reference: Abu Dawud 2/85, At-Tirmithi 5/569, and Al-Hakim who declared it authentic and Ath-Thahabi agreed with him 1/511. Al-Albani graded it authentic in Sahih At-Tirmithi 3/182. See also Jami'ul-'Usool li-'Ahdaith Ar-Rasool 4/ 389-90 checked by Al-Arna'ut.

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: "The closest that the Lord comes to the slave is in the last portion of the night. So, if you are able to be among those who remember Allah in this hour, then be among them."

Reference: At-Tirmithi, An-Nasa'i 1/279 and Al-Hakim. See also Al-Albani, Sahih At-Tirmithi 3/183, and Jdmi'ul-'Usool with Al-Arna'ut's checking 4/144.

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: "The closest that the slave comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke Allah much (in prostration)."

Reference: Muslim 1/350.

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: "It is a heavy thing for my heart if I do not seek Allah's forgiveness a hundred times a day."

Reference: Muslim 4/2075. Ibn 'Athir explains that the Prophet (SAW) was always vigilant in his remembrance and drawing near to Allah, and if he forgot to do any of what he normally did from time to time, or it slipped his mind, he felt as if he had wronged himself and so he would begin to seek the forgiveness of Allah. See Jami'ul-'Usool 4/386.

IN49-Slaughtering/ To Foil Devil's Plot

IN-49

What to say when slaughtering or sacrificing an animal

Bismillaahi wallaahu 'Akbar [Allaahumma minka wa laka] Allaahumma taqabbal minnee.

With the Name of Allah, Allah is the Most Great! [O Allah, from You and to You.] O Allah, accept it from me.

Reference: Muslim 3/ 1557, Al-Bayhaqi 9/287

What to say to foil the devil's plots

'A'oothu bikalimaatil-laahit-taammaatil-latee laa yujaawizuhunna barrun wa laa faajimn min sharri maa khalaqa, wa bara'a wa thara'a, wa min sharri maa yanzilu minas-samaa'i, wa min sharri maa ya'ruju feehaa, wa min sharri maa thara'a fil-'ardhi, wa min sharri ma yakhruju minhaa, wa min sharri fitanil-layli wannahaari, wa min sharri kulli taariqin 'illaa taariqan yatruqu bikhayrin yaa Rahmaan.

I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah -which neither the upright nor the corrupt may overcome - from the evil of what He created, of what He made, and of what He scattered, from the evil of what descends from the heavens, and of what rises up to them, from the evil of what He scattered in the earth and of what emerges from it, from the evil trials of night and day, and from the evil of every night visitor, except the night visitor who comes with good. O Merciful One.

Reference: Ahmad 3/419, with an authentic chain of narration, and Ibn As-Sunni (no. 637). Al-Arna'ut, graded its chain authentic in his checking of Al-'Aqidah At-Tahawiyyah p. 133. See also Majma'uz-Zawa'id, 10/127

IN48-Feel Pain/Afflict with Evil eye/Feel Frightened

IN-48

What to say when you feel a pain in your body

Put your hand on the place where you feel pain and say:

Bismillaah.

With the Name of Allah (three times).

Then say :
'A'oothu billaahi wa qudratihi min sharri maa 'ajidu wa 'uhaathiru.
I seek refuge in Allah and in His Power from the evil of what I find and of what I guard against.

Reference: Muslim 4/1728.

What to say when you fear you may afflict something with the evil eye

If you see anything of your brother that pleases you, or of his person or of his property [then ask Allah to bless him in it] for the envious eye is real.

Reference: Ahmad 4/447, Ibn Majah, Malik. Al-Albani graded it authentic in Sahihul-Jami' As-Saghir 1/212. Also see Al-Arna'ut's checking of Ibn Al-Qayyim's Zadul-Ma'ad 4/170.

What to say when you feel frightened

Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaah!

There is none worthy of worship but Allah!

Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 6/181, Muslim 4/2208

IN47-Surprised or Startled/Something Pleases

IN-47

What to say when surprised or startled

Subhaanallaah!

(Glory is to Allah)

Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 1/210, 390, 414 and Muslim 4/1857.

Allaahu 'Akbar!

(Allah is the Most Great)

Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 8/441. See also Al-Albani, Sahih At-Tirmithi 2/103, 235, Ahmad 5/218.

What to say when something that pleases you happens

Whenever something happened that pleased him or made him happy , the Prophet if! used to prostrate himself in thanks to Allah, the Blessed, the All-Mighty.

Reference: Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, At-Tirmithi. See also Al-Albani, Sahih Ibn Majah 1/233, and 'Irwa'ul-Ghalil 2/226

IN46- Hajj and Umrah

IN-46

The pilgrim's announcement of his arrival for Hajj or 'Umrah

Labbayk Allaahumma labbayk, labbayk laa shareeka laka labbayk, 'innal-hamda, wanni'mata, laka walmulk, laa shareeka laka.

I am here at Your service , O Allah , I am here at Your service. I am here at Your service, You have no partner, I am here at Your service . Surely the praise , and blessings are Yours , and the dominion . You have no partner.

Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 3/408, Muslim 2/841.

Saying Allahu 'Akbar when passing the Black Stone

The Prophet (SAW) performed Tawaf riding a camel. Every time he passed the corner (containing the Black Stone), he would point to it with something that he was holding and say: Allaahu 'Akbar (Allah is the Most Great)!

Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 3/476. See also 472. The 'something' that was referred to in this Hadith was a cane.

Invocation to be recited between the Yemenite Corner and the Black Stone

Rabbanaa 'aatinaa fid-dunyaa hasanatan wa fil-'aakhirati hasanatan wa qinaa 'athaaban-naar.

Our Lord, grant us the good things in this world and the good things in the next life and save us from the punishment of the Fire.

Reference: Abu Dawud 2/179, Ahmad 3/411, Al-Baghawi, Sharhus-Sunnah 7/128. Al-Albani graded it good in Sahih Abu Dawud 1/354. The Ayat is from Surat Al-Baqarah, 2:201

Invocation to be recited while standing at Safa and Marwah

Whenever the Prophet (SAW) approached Mount Safa, he would recite:

'Innas-Safaa wal-Marwata min sha'aa'irillaah. 'Abda'u bimaa bada'allaahu bihi.

Surely Safa and Marwah are among the signs of Allah. I begin by that which Allah began.
He began (his Sa'y) at Mount Safa climbing it until he could see the House. He then faced the Qiblah repeating the words:

Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaah, Allaahu 'Akbar

There is none worthy of worship but Allah, and Allah is the Most Great.

Then he said:
Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa Huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer, laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu ilahaahu, 'anjaza wa'dahu, wa nasara 'abdahu, wa hazamal 'ahzaaba wahdahu.

None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner, His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things . None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, He fulfilled His Promise, He aided His slave, and He alone defeated Confederates.
Then he would ask Allah for what he liked, repeating the same thing like this three times . He did at Mount Marwah as he did at Mount Safa.

Reference: Muslim 2/888.

Invocation to be recited on the Day of Arafat

The Prophet (SAW) said: The best invocation is that of the Day of Arafat, and the best that anyone can say is what I and the Prophets before me have said:

Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa Huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer.

None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things.

Reference: At-Tirmithi. Al-Albani graded it good in Sahih At-Tirmithi 3/184, and also Silsilatul-'Ahadith As-Sahihah 4/6.

Supplication to be recited at the sacred area of Muzdalifah

The Prophet (SAW) rode his camel, Al-Qaswa', until he reached the sacred area (Al-Mash'aril-Haraam). Then he faced the Qiblah and invoked Allah, and repeatedly said the words: Allaahu 'Akbar (Allah is the Most Great), Allaahu 'Ahad (Allah is One) and Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaah (There is none worthy of worship but Allah). He remained stationary until the sky became yellow with the dawn, and then pressed on before sunrise.

Reference: Muslim 2/891.

Saying Allahu 'Akbar while stoning the three pillars at Mina

The Prophet (SAW) said Allaahu 'Akbar (Allah is the Most Great) with each pebble he threw at the three pillars. Then he went forward, stood facing the Qiblah and raised his hands and called upon Allah. That was after (stoning) the first and second pillar. As for the third, he stoned it and called out Allaahu 'Akbar with every pebble he threw, but when he was finished he left without standing at it (for supplications).

Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 3/581, 3, 4, and Muslim

IN45-Spoken Ill/Praising/Praised

IN-45

Invocation for someone you have spoken ill to

Allaahumma fa'ayyumaa mu'minin sababtuhu faj'al thaalika lahu qurbatan 'ilayka yawmal-qiyaamati.

O Allah, whomever of the believers I have abused, give him the reward of a sacrificial slaughter for it on the Day of Resurrection.

Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 11/171, Muslim 4/2007. The wording in Muslim's report is: 'make it a purification for him and a source of mercy

How a Muslim should praise another Muslim

If any of you praises his companion then let him say :

'Ahsibu fulaanan wallaahu haseebuhu

I consider (such and such a person) , and Allah is his Assessor ,

wa laa 'uzakkee 'alallaahi 'ahadan

(meaning : and I cannot claim anyone to be pious before Allah) if you know of this (good character trait in the person) to be such and such (saying what he thinks is praiseworthy in that person).
Reference: Muslim 4/2296.

What a Muslim should say when he is praised

Allaahumma laa tu'aakhithnee bimaa yaqooloona, waghfir lee maa laa ya'lamoona [waj'alnee khayram-mimmaa yadhunnoon].

O Allah , do not call me to account for what they say and forgive me for what they have no knowledge of [and make me better than they imagine].

Reference: Al-Bukhari, Al-'Adabul-Mufrad no. 761. See Al-Albani, Sahih Al-'Adabul-Mufrad (no. 585). The portion between brackets if from Al-Bayhaqi, Shu'ab Al-Iman 4/228, and comes another account.

IN44-Cock's Crow/Bray of a Donkey/Barking Dog

IN-44

Invocation upon hearing the cock's crow or the bray of a donkey

When you hear the cock's crow, ask Allah for His favor upon you for surely it has seen an angel . When you hear the bray of a donkey, seek refuge in Allah from Satan, for surely it has seen a devil.

Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 6/350, Muslim 4/2092

Invocation upon hearing a dog barking in the night

When you hear a dog barking or a donkey braying in the night , then seek refuge in Allah from them , for surely they have seen what you see not.

Reference: Abu Dawud 4/327, Ahmad 3/306. Al-Albani graded it authentic in Sahih Abu Dawud 3/961.

IN43-Displease You/Blessing Upon Prophet/Salam

IN-43

What to say if something happens to please you or to displease you

When something happened that pleased him , the Prophet (SAW) used to say:

Alhamdu lillaahil-lathee bini'matihi tatimmus-saalihaat.

Praise is to Allah Who by His blessings all good things are perfected .

And if something happened that displeased him , he used to say :

Alhamdu lillaahi 'alaa kulli haal.

Praise is to Allah in all circumstances.

Reference: Ibn As-Sunni, 'Amalul-Yawm wal-Laylah, and Al-Hakim who graded it authentic 1/499. See also Al-Albani, Sahihul-Jami' As-Saghir 4/201.

The excellence of asking for Allah's blessings upon the Prophet (SAW)

The Prophet (SAW) said: "Whoever prays for Allah's blessings upon me once, will be blessed for it by Allah ten times."

Reference: Muslim 1/288.

The Prophet (SAW) said: "Do not make my grave a place of ritual celebration, but pray for Allah's blessings upon me, for your blessings reach me from wherever you are.

Reference: Abu Dawud 2/218, Ahmad 2/367. Al-Albani graded it authentic in Sahih Abu Dawud 2/383.

The Prophet (SAW) said: "The miser is the one in whose presence I am mentioned yet does not pray for Allah's blessings upon me."

Reference: At-Tirmithi 5/551 and others. See also Al-Albani, Sahih At-Tirmithi 3/177 and Sahihul-Jarai' As-Saghir 3/25.

The Prophet (SAW) said: "Indeed Allah has angels who roam the earth and they convey to me the greetings (or prayers of peace) of my 'Ummah (nation)."

Reference: An-Nasa'i, Al-Hakim 2/421. Al-Albani graded it authentic in Sahih An-Nasa'i 1/274.

The Prophet (SAW) said: "No one sends greetings (or prayers of peace) upon me but Allah returns my soul to me so that I may return his greetings."

Reference: Abu Dawud (no. 2041). Al-Albani graded it good in Sahih Abu Dawud 1/383.

Spreading the greetings of Salam (Peace)

The Prophet (SAW) said: "You shall not enter Paradise until you believe, and you have not believed until you love one another. Shall I tell you of something you can do to make you love one another? Spread the greetings of Salam (peace) amongst yourselves (i.e. between each other).

Reference: Muslim 1/74 and others.

The Prophet (SAW) said: "There are three things which whoever gathers all of them together, then he has gathered Iman (Faith): justice with oneself, greeting people with greetings of Salam (peace), and freeing oneself from stinginess."

Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 1/82 as a statement of the Companion 'Ammar (RA).

Abdullah bin 'Umar (RA) said: A man asked the Prophet (SAW), "What is the best act of Islam?" He said, "To feed others and to give greetings of Salam (peace) to those whom you know and to those whom you do not know. "

Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 1/55, Muslim 1/65

How to reply to a disbeliever if he says Salam to you

If one of the People of the Scripture (i.e. Christians and Jews) greets you saying As-Salaamu 'alaykum, then say (to him):

Wa 'alaykum
And upon you .

Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 11/42, Muslim 4/1705

IN42-Traveller's Invocation

IN-42

The traveler's invocation at dawn

Sami'a saami'un bihamdillaahi wa husni balaa'ihi 'alaynaa. Rabbanaa saahibnaa, wa 'afdhil 'alaynaa 'aa'ithan billaahi minan-naar.

He Who listens has heard that we praise Allah for the good things He gives us. Our Lord, be with us and bestow Your favor upon us. I seek the protection of Allah from the Fire.

Reference: Muslim 4/2086, the meaning of sami'a saami'un (who listens has heard) is that 'a witness has witnessed our praise of Allah due to His blessings and favor upon us.' It could also be read samma'a saami'un, in which case it means 'one who has heard this statement of mine will convey it to another and he will say it as well.' This is due to the attention given to the Thikr (remembrance of Allah) and supplications made during the early morning hours. The meaning of his saying 'Our Lord, be with us and bestow Your favor upon us' is: 'Our Lord, protect us and guard us. Bless us with Your numerous bounties, and avert from us every evil.' See An-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim 17/39.

Invocation for a layover (stopping along the way) on the journey

'A'oothu bikalimaatil-laahit-taammaati min sharri maa khalaq.

I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.

Reference: Muslim 4/2080.

What to say upon returning from a journey

From every elevated point say Allaahu 'Akbar (Allah is the Most Great) three times and then recite:

Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa 'alaa kutti shay 'in Qadeer, 'aa'iboona, taa'iboona, 'aabidoona, lirabbinaa haamidoona, sadaqallaahu wa'dahu, wa nasara 'abdahu, wa hazamal-'ahzaaba wahdahu.

None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone , Who has no partner . His is the dominion and His is the praise , and He is Able to do all things. We return repentant to our Lord, worshipping our Lord , and praising our Lord . He fulfilled His Promise, He aided His slave, and He alone defeated the Confederates.

Reference: Bukhari 7/163, Muslim 2/980. The Prophet (SAW) used to say this when returning from a campaign or from Hajj.