❖FROM MONOTHEISM TO POLYTHEISM : What Happened? ❖

 

۞  The First Idols: How Polytheistic Worship Emerged  ۞ 

➖➖➖

Allaah (ﷻ) created mankind and the jinn to worship Him alone, and He provided for them everything they need to fulfil this purpose.

Allaah, the Exalted, said:

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ۝ مَآ أُرِيدُ مِنْهُم مِّن رِّزْقٍۢ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَن يُطْعِمُونِ ۝ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلرَّزَّاقُ ذُو ٱلْقُوَّةِ ٱلْمَتِينُ

“And I have not created jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I seek no provision from them, nor do I need them to feed Me. Indeed, Allaah is the Provider, the Possessor of strength, the Firm.”

[Adh-Dhaariyaat 51:56-58]

Tawheed is firmly rooted in the natural disposition (fitrah) of mankind, while Shirk is something that enters into and corrupts that natural disposition.

Allaah (ﷻ) says:

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًۭا ۚ فِطْرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

“So direct your face towards the religion, inclining to truth—the Fitrah (natural disposition) of Allaah upon which He has created mankind. There is no changing the creation of Allaah. That is the straight religion, but most people do not know.”

[Ar-Rum 30:30] 

And the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله ﷺ

كُلُّ مَوْلُودٍ يُولَدُ عَلَى الْفِطْرَةِ، فَأَبَوَاهُ يُهَوِّدَانِهِ أَوْ يُنَصِّرَانِهِ أَوْ يُمَجِّسَانِهِ

“Every child is born upon the  Fitrah (natural disposition), then his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.”

[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1385; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2658] 

Therefore, Tawheed is the original state of mankind. Mankind was initially upon Tawheed, but Shaytaan gradually led people away from it until Shirk appeared.

Polytheism and corruption in Aqeedah first became widespread among the people of Nūḥ (عليه السلام), and Nūḥ (عليه السلام) was the first Messenger sent to mankind.

Allaah (ﷻ) says:

وَقَالُوا۟ لَا تَذَرُنَّ ءَالِهَتَكُمْ وَلَا تَذَرُنَّ وَدًّۭا وَلَا سُوَاعًۭا وَلَا يَغُوثَ وَيَعُوقَ وَنَسْرًۭا

“And they said: Never leave your gods, and never leave Wadd, nor Suwaa‘, nor Yaghooth, nor Ya‘ooq, nor Nasr.”

[Nūḥ 71:23]

Ibn ‘Abbaas (رضي الله عنهما) explained that these were the names of righteous men from the people of Nūḥ. When they died, Shaytaan inspired their people to make statues in the places where they used to gather and name them after them. The people did so, but the statues were not worshipped at first. When that generation died and knowledge was forgotten, the statues were eventually worshipped.

[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4920] 

This shows how Shirk develops gradually. It may begin with something that appears to be a good intention—remembering righteous people—but eventually leads people away from the worship of Allaah alone.

Although many people throughout history committed Shirk in worship, most of them still acknowledged that Allaah is the Creator, Provider and Controller of the universe. Their main error was directing acts of worship to others besides Him.

Allaah (ﷻ) says:

وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ

“And if you ask them who created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon, they will surely say: Allaah.”

[Al-‘Ankabūt 29:61]

Thus, merely believing that Allaah exists and that He is the Creator is not sufficient. A person must also worship Allaah alone, without directing any act of worship to another.

May Allaah (ﷻ) keep us firm upon Tawheed, protect us from every form of Shirk, and guide us and our families to the Straight Path.

*آمِيْن*

“Forty Prophetic Supplications and Remembrances from the Sunnah”

Forty Prophetic Supplications with Arabic Text and Hadith References

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

الحمد لله رب العالمين، والصلاة والسلام على سيدنا محمد، وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين.

The Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ contains a treasure of supplications, remembrance and words of guidance that nourish the heart, strengthen faith and teach the believer how to turn to Allah in every circumstance.

The following forty narrations have been selected from the authentic and established Hadith literature. They include supplications for forgiveness, distress, protection, guidance, gratitude and the remembrance of Allah.

Important note: Although these are sometimes circulated under the title “Forty Hadith Qudsi,” this is not technically accurate. The first narration is a Hadith Qudsi. The remaining narrations are Prophetic Hadith, in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ teaches or reports the supplication and remembrance.

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1. Having Good Expectations of Allah

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ فيما يرويه عن ربه تبارك وتعالى:

«أَنَا عِنْدَ ظَنِّ عَبْدِي بِي، وَأَنَا مَعَهُ إِذَا ذَكَرَنِي، فَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي نَفْسِهِ ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي نَفْسِي، وَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي مَلَإٍ ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي مَلَإٍ خَيْرٍ مِنْهُمْ، وَإِنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَيَّ شِبْرًا تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ ذِرَاعًا، وَإِنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَيَّ ذِرَاعًا تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ بَاعًا، وَإِنْ أَتَانِي يَمْشِي أَتَيْتُهُ هَرْوَلَةً»

“I am as My servant expects Me to be, and I am with him when he remembers Me…”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, 7405; Sahih Muslim, 2675.

Type: Hadith Qudsi.

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2. The Most Comprehensive Supplication

عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه

قال:

«كَانَ أَكْثَرُ دُعَاءِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ: اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً، وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ»

“The supplication most frequently made by the Prophet ﷺ was: ‘Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.’”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, 6389; Sahih Muslim, 2690. 

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3. Saying the Words of Tawhid One Hundred Times

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«مَنْ قَالَ: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ، فِي يَوْمٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ، كَانَتْ لَهُ عَدْلَ عَشْرِ رِقَابٍ، وَكُتِبَتْ لَهُ مِائَةُ حَسَنَةٍ، وَمُحِيَتْ عَنْهُ مِائَةُ سَيِّئَةٍ، وَكَانَتْ لَهُ حِرْزًا مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ يَوْمَهُ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى يُمْسِيَ، وَلَمْ يَأْتِ أَحَدٌ بِأَفْضَلَ مِمَّا جَاءَ بِهِ إِلَّا أَحَدٌ عَمِلَ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ»

“Whoever says: ‘There is no deity except Allah alone, without partner…’ one hundred times in a day…”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, 3293; Sahih Muslim, 2691.

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4. The Virtue of Saying “Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi”

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«مَنْ قَالَ: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، فِي يَوْمٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ، حُطَّتْ خَطَايَاهُ، وَإِنْ كَانَتْ مِثْلَ زَبَدِ الْبَحْرِ»

“Whoever says ‘Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi’ one hundred times in a day, his sins will be removed even if they are like the foam of the sea.”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, 6405; Sahih Muslim, 2691. 

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5. Two Beloved Words to Allah

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«كَلِمَتَانِ خَفِيفَتَانِ عَلَى اللِّسَانِ، ثَقِيلَتَانِ فِي الْمِيزَانِ، حَبِيبَتَانِ إِلَى الرَّحْمَنِ: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ»

“Two words are light upon the tongue, heavy upon the Scale and beloved to the Most Merciful: ‘Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him; Glory be to Allah the Magnificent.’”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, 6406; Sahih Muslim, 2694.

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6. A Supplication for Forgiveness in Prayer

عن أبي بكر الصديق رضي الله عنه

قال:

قلت: يا رسول الله، علمني دعاءً أدعو به في صلاتي.

قال ﷺ:

«قُلْ: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا، وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ، وَارْحَمْنِي، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ»

“O Allah, I have greatly wronged myself, and none forgives sins except You. So forgive me with forgiveness from You and have mercy upon me. Indeed, You are the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, 834; Sahih Muslim, 2705.

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7. The Prophetic Supplication During Distress

عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما

كان رسول الله ﷺ يقول عند الكرب:

«لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْعَظِيمُ الْحَلِيمُ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ، وَرَبُّ الْأَرْضِ، وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيمِ»

“There is no deity except Allah, the Magnificent, the Forbearing…”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, 6346; Sahih Muslim, 2730.

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8. Asking Allah for Help in His Worship

عن معاذ بن جبل رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«يَا مُعَاذُ، وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّكَ، أُوصِيكَ يَا مُعَاذُ، لَا تَدَعَنَّ فِي دُبُرِ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ أَنْ تَقُولَ: اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ، وَشُكْرِكَ، وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ»

“O Muʿadh, by Allah, I love you. I advise you, O Muʿadh: never leave saying at the end of every prayer: ‘O Allah, help me to remember You, thank You and worship You well.’”

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud, 1522; Sunan al-Nasa'i, 1303; Musnad Ahmad. The Hadith is authentic.

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9. Asking Allah for Steadfastness

عن شداد بن أوس رضي الله عنه

قال:

كان رسول الله ﷺ يعلمنا أن نقول:

«اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الثَّبَاتَ فِي الْأَمْرِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ عَزِيمَةَ الرُّشْدِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ شُكْرَ نِعْمَتِكَ، وَحُسْنَ عِبَادَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لِسَانًا صَادِقًا، وَقَلْبًا سَلِيمًا، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا تَعْلَمُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا تَعْلَمُ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ مِمَّا تَعْلَمُ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ»

Reference: Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi, 3407; Sunan al-Nasa'i, 1304; Musnad Ahmad, 17155. It has been authenticated by later Hadith scholars. I Islam-QA

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10. “O Ever-Living, O Sustainer”

عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه

قال:

«كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا كَرَبَهُ أَمْرٌ قَالَ: يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ، بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيثُ»

“Whenever a matter distressed the Prophet ﷺ, he would say: ‘O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, in Your mercy I seek relief.’”

Reference: Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi, 3524; Ibn al-Sunni, ʿAmal al-Yawm wa al-Laylah, 337. Al-Tirmidhi graded it gharib; al-Albani graded it hasan. 

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11. Calling Upon Allah During Distress

عن أسماء بنت عميس رضي الله عنها

قال لها رسول الله ﷺ:

«أَلَا أُعَلِّمُكِ كَلِمَاتٍ تَقُولِينَهَا عِنْدَ الْكَرْبِ: اللَّهُ، اللَّهُ رَبِّي، لَا أُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا»

“Shall I not teach you words to say during distress? ‘Allah, Allah is my Lord; I associate nothing with Him.’”

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud, 1525; Sunan Ibn Majah, 3882; Musnad Ahmad. Graded authentic by a number of Hadith scholars.

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12. The Supplication for Anxiety and Grief

عن عبد الله بن مسعود رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ، وَابْنُ عَبْدِكَ، وَابْنُ أَمَتِكَ، نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ، مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُكْمُكَ، عَدْلٌ فِيَّ قَضَاؤُكَ، أَسْأَلُكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ، سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ، أَوْ أَنْزَلْتَهُ فِي كِتَابِكَ، أَوْ عَلَّمْتَهُ أَحَدًا مِنْ خَلْقِكَ، أَوِ اسْتَأْثَرْتَ بِهِ فِي عِلْمِ الْغَيْبِ عِنْدَكَ، أَنْ تَجْعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيعَ قَلْبِي، وَنُورَ صَدْرِي، وَجَلَاءَ حُزْنِي، وَذَهَابَ هَمِّي»

“O Allah, I am Your servant, son of Your servant and son of Your female servant…”

Reference: Musnad Ahmad, 3712; Sahih Ibn Hibban, 972. The Hadith has been authenticated by Ibn Hibban and later scholars.

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13. Asking Allah for Well-Being

عن العباس بن عبد المطلب رضي الله عنه

قال:

قلت: يا رسول الله، علمني شيئًا أسأل الله عز وجل.

فقال:

«سَلِ اللَّهَ الْعَافِيَةَ»

ثم مكثت أيامًا، ثم جئت فقلت: يا رسول الله، علمني شيئًا أسأل الله عز وجل.

فقال:

«يَا عَبَّاسُ، يَا عَمَّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ، سَلِ اللَّهَ الْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ»

“Ask Allah for well-being in this world and the Hereafter.”

Reference: Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi, 3514; Musnad Ahmad. The narration is reported with supporting routes.

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14. Seeking Forgiveness One Hundred Times

عن الأغر المزني رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«إِنَّهُ لَيُغَانُ عَلَى قَلْبِي، وَإِنِّي لَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ فِي الْيَوْمِ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ»

“Sometimes a covering comes over my heart, and indeed I seek Allah's forgiveness one hundred times a day.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim, 2702; Sunan Abi Dawud, 1515; Musnad Ahmad, 17848. D dorar.net+1

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15. Sayyid al-Istighfar — The Master Supplication for Forgiveness

عن شداد بن أوس رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«سَيِّدُ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ أَنْ تَقُولَ: اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ»

ثم ذكر النبي ﷺ فضل قولها صباحًا ومساءً.

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, 6306. D dorar.net+1

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16. The Virtue of Seeking Forgiveness

عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«مَنْ لَزِمَ الِاسْتِغْفَارَ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مِنْ كُلِّ ضِيقٍ مَخْرَجًا، وَمِنْ كُلِّ هَمٍّ فَرَجًا، وَرَزَقَهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ»

“Whoever constantly seeks forgiveness, Allah will make for him a way out from every hardship, relief from every anxiety, and provide for him from where he does not expect.”

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud, 1518; Sunan Ibn Majah, 3819; al-Hakim.

Note: The grading of this particular narration has been discussed by the Hadith scholars. It should therefore not be presented as being at the same level as the narrations of Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.

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17. A Powerful Tasbih

عن جويرية رضي الله عنها

قالت:

خرج النبي ﷺ من عندها بكرة حين صلى الصبح، وهي في مسجدها، ثم رجع بعد أن أضحى وهي جالسة، فقال:

«مَا زِلْتِ عَلَى الْحَالِ الَّتِي فَارَقْتُكِ عَلَيْهَا؟»

قالت: نعم.

فقال ﷺ:

«لَقَدْ قُلْتُ بَعْدَكِ أَرْبَعَ كَلِمَاتٍ، ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ، لَوْ وُزِنَتْ بِمَا قُلْتِ مُنْذُ الْيَوْمِ لَوَزَنَتْهُنَّ: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، عَدَدَ خَلْقِهِ، وَرِضَا نَفْسِهِ، وَزِنَةَ عَرْشِهِ، وَمِدَادَ كَلِمَاتِهِ»

Reference: Sahih Muslim, 2726.

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18. Earning One Thousand Good Deeds

عن سعد بن أبي وقاص رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«أَيَعْجِزُ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَكْسِبَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ أَلْفَ حَسَنَةٍ؟»

فقيل له: كيف يكسب أحدنا ألف حسنة؟

قال:

«يُسَبِّحُ مِائَةَ تَسْبِيحَةٍ، فَيُكْتَبُ لَهُ أَلْفُ حَسَنَةٍ، أَوْ يُحَطُّ عَنْهُ أَلْفُ خَطِيئَةٍ»

Reference: Sahih Muslim, 2698.

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19. A Treasure From the Treasures of Paradise

عن أبي موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه

قال لي رسول الله ﷺ:

«يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ قَيْسٍ، أَلَا أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى كَنْزٍ مِنْ كُنُوزِ الْجَنَّةِ؟»

قلت: بلى يا رسول الله.

قال:

«لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ»

“Shall I not direct you to a treasure from the treasures of Paradise? ‘There is no power and no strength except through Allah.’”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, 4202, 6384; Sahih Muslim, 2704.

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20. Sending Blessings Upon the Prophet ﷺ

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ وَاحِدَةً، صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ عَشْرًا»

“Whoever sends one blessing upon me, Allah sends ten blessings upon him.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim, 408; Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi, 485; Sunan al-Nasa'i, 1296. 

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21. Four Beloved Words

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«لَأَنْ أَقُولَ: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا طَلَعَتْ عَلَيْهِ الشَّمْسُ»

“To say ‘Glory be to Allah, praise be to Allah, there is no deity except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest’ is more beloved to me than everything upon which the sun rises.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim, 2695.

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22. The Supplication of Yunus عليه السلام

عن سعد بن أبي وقاص رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«دَعْوَةُ ذِي النُّونِ إِذْ دَعَا وَهُوَ فِي بَطْنِ الْحُوتِ: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ، فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَدْعُ بِهَا رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ فِي شَيْءٍ قَطُّ إِلَّا اسْتَجَابَ اللَّهُ لَهُ»

Reference: Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi, 3505; Musnad Ahmad; al-Hakim. The Hadith has been graded authentic by later Hadith scholars.

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23. A Comprehensive Supplication for This World and the Hereafter

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه

كان رسول الله ﷺ يقول:

«اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِيَ الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي، وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي، وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِيَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي، وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ، وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ»

Reference: Sahih Muslim, 2720. D dorar.net+1

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24. The People Who Remember Allah Frequently

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«سِيرُوا، هَذَا جُمْدَانُ، سَبَقَ الْمُفَرِّدُونَ»

قالوا: وما المفردون يا رسول الله؟

قال:

«الذَّاكِرُونَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتُ»

“Proceed. This is Jummdan. The Mufarridun have gone ahead.”

They asked: “Who are the Mufarridun?”

He ﷺ said:

“Those men and women who remember Allah abundantly.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim, 2676. 

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25. Keep the Tongue Moist With the Remembrance of Allah

عن عبد الله بن بسر رضي الله عنه

قال رجل:

يا رسول الله، إن شرائع الإسلام قد كثرت علي، فأخبرني بشيء أتشبث به.

فقال ﷺ:

«لَا يَزَالُ لِسَانُكَ رَطْبًا مِنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ»

“Let your tongue remain moist with the remembrance of Allah.”

Reference: Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi, 3375; Ibn Majah, 3793. Graded authentic by al-Albani. 

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26. The Best of Deeds

عن أبي الدرداء رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«أَلَا أُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِخَيْرِ أَعْمَالِكُمْ، وَأَزْكَاهَا عِنْدَ مَلِيكِكُمْ، وَأَرْفَعِهَا فِي دَرَجَاتِكُمْ، وَخَيْرٍ لَكُمْ مِنْ إِنْفَاقِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْوَرِقِ، وَخَيْرٍ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْ تَلْقَوْا عَدُوَّكُمْ فَتَضْرِبُوا أَعْنَاقَهُمْ وَيَضْرِبُوا أَعْنَاقَكُمْ؟»

قالوا: بلى.

قال:

«ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى»

Reference: Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi, 3377; Musnad Ahmad, 27525. Graded authentic by later Hadith scholars.

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27. A Comprehensive Supplication for Protection and Guidance

عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما

كان رسول الله ﷺ يقول:

«اللَّهُمَّ اقْسِمْ لَنَا مِنْ خَشْيَتِكَ مَا يَحُولُ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ مَعَاصِيكَ، وَمِنْ طَاعَتِكَ مَا تُبَلِّغُنَا بِهِ جَنَّتَكَ، وَمِنَ الْيَقِينِ مَا تُهَوِّنُ بِهِ عَلَيْنَا مُصِيبَاتِ الدُّنْيَا، وَمَتِّعْنَا بِأَسْمَاعِنَا، وَأَبْصَارِنَا، وَقُوَّتِنَا مَا أَحْيَيْتَنَا، وَاجْعَلْهُ الْوَارِثَ مِنَّا، وَاجْعَلْ ثَأْرَنَا عَلَى مَنْ ظَلَمَنَا، وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى مَنْ عَادَانَا، وَلَا تَجْعَلْ مُصِيبَتَنَا فِي دِينِنَا، وَلَا تَجْعَلِ الدُّنْيَا أَكْبَرَ هَمِّنَا، وَلَا مَبْلَغَ عِلْمِنَا، وَلَا تُسَلِّطْ عَلَيْنَا مَنْ لَا يَرْحَمُنَا»

Reference: Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi, 3502; al-Hakim. The narration has been graded hasan by a number of scholars.

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28. Seeking Forgiveness for Every Shortcoming

عن أبي موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه

كان رسول الله ﷺ يدعو:

«رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي وَجَهْلِي، وَإِسْرَافِي فِي أَمْرِي كُلِّهِ، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي خَطَايَايَ، وَعَمْدِي، وَجَهْلِي، وَهَزْلِي، وَكُلُّ ذَلِكَ عِنْدِي، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ، وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ، وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ، وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ»

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, 6398; Sahih Muslim, 2719.

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29. Asking Allah for a Good Life and a Good Ending

عن عمار بن ياسر رضي الله عنه

كان من دعاء النبي ﷺ:

«اللَّهُمَّ بِعِلْمِكَ الْغَيْبَ، وَقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ، أَحْيِنِي مَا عَلِمْتَ الْحَيَاةَ خَيْرًا لِي، وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا عَلِمْتَ الْوَفَاةَ خَيْرًا لِي، اللَّهُمَّ وَأَسْأَلُكَ خَشْيَتَكَ فِي الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْفَقْرِ وَالْغِنَى، وَأَسْأَلُكَ نَعِيمًا لَا يَنْفَدُ، وَقُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرِّضَا بَعْدَ الْقَضَاءِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ بَرْدَ الْعَيْشِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ، وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ، فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ، وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ، اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الْإِيمَانِ، وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ»

Reference: Sunan al-Nasa'i, 1305; Musnad Ahmad, 18351. Graded authentic by al-Albani and others. 

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30. Asking Allah for Every Good

عن عائشة رضي الله عنها

قالت:

كان من دعاء النبي ﷺ:

«اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ كُلِّهِ، عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ، مَا عَلِمْتُ مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ أَعْلَمْ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ كُلِّهِ، عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ، مَا عَلِمْتُ مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ أَعْلَمْ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا سَأَلَكَ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا عَاذَ بِهِ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ كُلَّ قَضَاءٍ قَضَيْتَهُ لِي خَيْرًا»

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, 3846; Musnad Ahmad, 25019; Sahih Ibn Hibban. Graded authentic. 

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31. Protection From the Loss of Allah's Blessings

عن عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما

كان رسول الله ﷺ يقول:

«اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَوَالِ نِعْمَتِكَ، وَتَحَوُّلِ عَافِيَتِكَ، وَفُجَاءَةِ نِقْمَتِكَ، وَجَمِيعِ سَخَطِكَ»

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the loss of Your blessing, the change of Your well-being, the suddenness of Your punishment and all of Your displeasure.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim, 2739; Sunan Abi Dawud, 1545. 

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32. Being Content With Allah, Islam and Muhammad ﷺ

عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«مَنْ قَالَ: رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا، وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا، وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولًا، وَجَبَتْ لَهُ الْجَنَّةُ»

“Whoever says, ‘I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, Islam as my religion and Muhammad as my Messenger,’ Paradise becomes due for him.”

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud, 1529; al-Nasa'i, al-Sunan al-Kubra, 9748; Muslim, 1884, with the wording “Prophet.” 

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33. The Tasbih After the Prayer

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«مَنْ سَبَّحَ اللَّهَ فِي دُبُرِ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ ثَلَاثًا وَثَلَاثِينَ، وَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ ثَلَاثًا وَثَلَاثِينَ، وَكَبَّرَ اللَّهَ ثَلَاثًا وَثَلَاثِينَ، فَتِلْكَ تِسْعَةٌ وَتِسْعُونَ، وَقَالَ تَمَامَ الْمِائَةِ: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ، غُفِرَتْ خَطَايَاهُ وَإِنْ كَانَتْ مِثْلَ زَبَدِ الْبَحْرِ»

Reference: Sahih Muslim, 597. W Wikisource+1

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34. Supplication Is Worship

عن النعمان بن بشير رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«الدُّعَاءُ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ»

ثم قرأ:

﴿وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ﴾

[غافر: 60]

Reference: Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi, 3372; Sunan Abi Dawud, 1479; Sunan Ibn Majah, 3828. Al-Tirmidhi said: حسن صحيح. 

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35. The Supplication of the Distressed

عن أبي بكرة رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«دَعَوَاتُ الْمَكْرُوبِ: اللَّهُمَّ رَحْمَتَكَ أَرْجُو، فَلَا تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ، وَأَصْلِحْ لِي شَأْنِي كُلَّهُ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ»

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud, 5090; Sahih Ibn Hibban, 970; Musnad Ahmad, 20430. Graded hasan by al-Albani. 

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36. Purification Is Half of Faith

عن أبي مالك الأشعري رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«الطُّهُورُ شَطْرُ الْإِيمَانِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ تَمْلَأُ الْمِيزَانَ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ تَمْلَآنِ، أَوْ تَمْلَأُ، مَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ، وَالصَّلَاةُ نُورٌ، وَالصَّدَقَةُ بُرْهَانٌ، وَالصَّبْرُ ضِيَاءٌ، وَالْقُرْآنُ حُجَّةٌ لَكَ أَوْ عَلَيْكَ، كُلُّ النَّاسِ يَغْدُو، فَبَائِعٌ نَفْسَهُ فَمُعْتِقُهَا أَوْ مُوبِقُهَا»

Reference: Sahih Muslim, 223. D dorar.net

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37. The Example of the One Who Remembers Allah

عن أبي موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَذْكُرُ رَبَّهُ وَالَّذِي لَا يَذْكُرُ رَبَّهُ، مَثَلُ الْحَيِّ وَالْمَيِّتِ»

“The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not remember his Lord is like the living and the dead.”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, 6407; Sahih Muslim, 779. 

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38. The Gathering in Which Allah Is Remembered

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«لَا يَقْعُدُ قَوْمٌ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَّا حَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ، وَغَشِيَتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ، وَنَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ، وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ»

“No people sit together remembering Allah except that the angels surround them, mercy covers them, tranquility descends upon them and Allah mentions them among those with Him.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim, 2700.

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39. The Great Virtue of the Remembrance of Allah

عن معاذ بن جبل رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

«مَا عَمِلَ ابْنُ آدَمَ عَمَلًا أَنْجَى لَهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ اللَّهِ مِنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ»

وفي بعض الروايات:

«قَالُوا: وَلَا الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: وَلَا، إِلَّا أَنْ تَضْرِبَ بِسَيْفِكَ حَتَّى يَنْقَطِعَ»

Reference: Musnad Ahmad, 22079; al-Tabarani, al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, 20/166, no. 352; Ibn Abi Shaybah, al-Musannaf.

Important Hadith note: The marfuʿ chain has been discussed by the Hadith scholars and contains an issue of interruption. The report should therefore be presented with this qualification rather than simply labelled 

“Sahih.” The virtue of abundant Dhikr itself is established by numerous authentic narrations. 

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40. The Expiation of the Gathering

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه

قال رسول الله ﷺ:

**«مَنْ جَلَسَ فِي مَجْلِسٍ فَكَثُرَ فِيهِ لَغَطُهُ، فَقَالَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُومَ مِنْ مَجْلِسِهِ ذَلِكَ:

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ،

إِلَّا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا كَانَ فِي مَجْلِسِهِ ذَلِكَ»**

“Whoever sits in a gathering in which there is much idle talk and then says before leaving: ‘Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. I testify that there is no deity except You. I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You,’ will be forgiven for what occurred in that gathering.”

Reference: Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi, 3433; al-Nasa'i, al-Sunan al-Kubra, 10230; Musnad Ahmad, 10415. Al-Tirmidhi described it as حسن صحيح غريب. 

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Conclusion

These forty narrations demonstrate the remarkable comprehensiveness of the Sunnah.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught his Ummah how to turn to Allah in happiness and difficulty, in times of health and illness, during anxiety and hardship, after prayer and throughout the ordinary moments of daily life.

The believer is taught to seek:

المغفرة — Forgiveness

العافية — Well-being

الهداية — Guidance

الثبات — Steadfastness

الرحمة — Mercy

الرضا — Contentment

الذكر — Remembrance

حسن العبادة — Excellence in worship

The beauty of these Prophetic supplications is that they do not merely ask Allah for worldly comfort. They ask for the rectification of the heart, the preservation of faith, forgiveness of sins, beneficial life, a good ending and success in the Hereafter.

Allah Most High says:

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ

“Your Lord has said: Call upon Me; I will respond to you.”

Surah Ghafir, 40:60

May Allah Most High make us among those whose tongues remain moist with His remembrance, whose hearts turn to Him in every circumstance, and whose final words are words of Tawhid.

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الذَّاكِرِينَ لَكَ، الشَّاكِرِينَ لِنِعَمِكَ، الْمُحْسِنِينَ فِي عِبَادَتِكَ، وَاخْتِمْ لَنَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَالطَّاعَةِ

وصلى الله وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد، وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين.

والله أعلم.

Forty Sacred Hadiths: Lights from the Words of the Lord, Glorified and Exalted

40 Sacred Hadiths from the Sunnah: Mercy, Repentance, Worship and Hope

FORTY SACRED HADITHS

Lights from the Words of the Lord, Glorified and Exalted

A carefully selected collection of authentic Sacred Hadiths

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.

To proceed:

This is a carefully selected collection of forty Sacred Hadiths, gathered under a variety of themes relating to faith, mercy, repentance, sincerity, worship, patience, hope, and the Hereafter.

A Sacred Hadith (Hadith Qudsi) is a narration in which the Prophet ﷺ relates words from his Lord, the Mighty and Exalted, while the Noble Qur’an remains distinct from it in its unique characteristics and rulings.

In compiling this collection, I have endeavored to provide a clear hadith source for every narration, giving precedence to those recorded in the two Sahihs, and indicating when a hadith is found elsewhere, together with its grading as reported by the relevant hadith sources.

The Method of This Collection

The titles, themes, and arrangement have been independently prepared. The wording of the hadiths, however, is not my own. Prophetic and Sacred Hadiths cannot rightly be invented, altered, or reworded and then attributed to the Prophet ﷺ.

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First: Mercy and Forgiveness

Hadith One

My Mercy Prevails Over My Wrath

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book, which is with Him above the Throne: Indeed, My mercy prevails over My wrath.”

Source: Narrated by Muslim; also narrated by al-Bukhari, al-Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Two

The Greatness of Allah and His Power to Resurrect

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Allah, the Exalted, said: The son of Adam denied Me, though he had no right to do so, and he insulted Me, though he had no right to do so... The first creation is no easier for Me than bringing it back again.”

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and al-Nasa’i.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Three

The Virtue of Repentance and Never Despairing

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, relating from his Lord, the Mighty and Exalted:

“A servant committed a sin and said: O Allah, forgive me my sin. Allah, Blessed and Exalted, said: My servant has committed a sin, yet he knows that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them. I have forgiven My servant.”

Then the servant returned to the sin and again repented, and Allah forgave him so long as he continued to return to Him in repentance.

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Four

Having Good Expectations of Allah

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Allah, the Exalted, says: I am as My servant expects Me to be, and I am with him when he remembers Me... And if he comes to Me walking, I come to him at speed.”

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Five

The Doors of Forgiveness Are Open

Anas رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, relating from his Lord:

“O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and place your hope in Me, I will forgive you for whatever you have done, and I will not mind.

O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and then you asked Me for forgiveness, I would forgive you.

O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly filling the earth, and then meet Me without associating anything with Me, I would come to you with forgiveness nearly equal to it.”

Source: Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and Ahmad; its chain was graded Hasan in the cited source.

Grading: Good (Hasan).

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Second: Sincerity and Divine Oneness

Hadith Six

Deeds Are for Allah Alone

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Allah, Blessed and Exalted, says: I am the One least in need of partners. Whoever performs a deed in which he associates someone else with Me, I leave him and his association.”

Source: Narrated by Muslim and Ibn Majah.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Seven

Do Not Make Worship for the Sake of People

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported in the Sacred Hadith:

“I am the One least in need of partners.”

The meaning is that whoever intends through an act of worship someone other than Allah alongside Allah, Allah leaves that deed and its association.

Source: Narrated by Muslim.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Eight

The Danger of Showing Off

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, relating from his Lord:

“Whoever performs a deed in which he associates someone else with Me, I leave him and his association.”

Source: Narrated by Muslim.

Grading: Authentic.

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Third: Drawing Near to Allah

Hadith Nine

The Path to Divine Friendship

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Whoever shows hostility to one of My devoted servants, I have declared war upon him. My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him. And My servant continues to draw near to Me through voluntary deeds until I love him.”

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari; also narrated by Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Ten

When Allah Loves a Servant

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“When Allah loves a servant, He calls Jibril and says: Indeed, Allah loves so-and-so, so love him. Then Jibril loves him. Thereafter Jibril calls out among the inhabitants of heaven: Indeed, Allah loves so-and-so, so love him. Thus the inhabitants of heaven love him, and acceptance of him is then placed upon the earth.”

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Eleven

The Love of Allah Is the Greatest Gift a Believer Can Seek

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported in the Sacred Hadith:

“My servant continues to draw near to Me through voluntary deeds until I love him.”

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari.

Grading: Authentic.

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Fourth: Prayer and Worship

Hadith Twelve

Al-Fatihah: A Conversation with Allah

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves, and My servant shall have what he asks for.”

When the servant says:

“All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds,”

Allah says:

“My servant has praised Me.”

When he says:

“The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,”

Allah says:

“My servant has extolled Me.”

When he says:

“Master of the Day of Judgment,”

Allah says:

“My servant has glorified Me.”

And when he says:

“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help,”

Allah says:

“This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.”

Source: Narrated by Muslim.

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Hadith Thirteen

Prayer Is the First Deed to Be Reckoned

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“The first deed for which a servant will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection is his prayer.”

Then it is said:

“Look to see whether My servant has any voluntary prayers, so that what is deficient from his obligatory prayer may be completed with them.”

Source: Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, al-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad.

Grading: Hasan/Authentic through the combined chains, according to the cited hadith sources.

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Hadith Fourteen

Fasting Is for Allah

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, says: Fasting is for Me, and I shall reward it. He abandons his desires, his food, and his drink for My sake. Fasting is a shield. The fasting person has two moments of joy: joy when he breaks his fast, and joy when he meets his Lord.”

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

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Hadith Fifteen

Spending in Charity Is a Door to Provision

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Allah says: Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend upon you.”

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

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Fifth: Remembrance and Supplication

Hadith Sixteen

Gatherings of Remembrance

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Allah has angels who travel about, noble angels, seeking out gatherings in which Allah is remembered.”

The hadith then mentions that the angels surround those who remember Allah and that Allah forgives them.

Source: Narrated by Muslim; also narrated by al-Bukhari, al-Tirmidhi, and al-Nasa’i.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Seventeen

Supplication in the Last Third of the Night

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Our Lord, Blessed and Exalted, descends every night to the lowest heaven when the final third of the night remains and says: Who is calling upon Me that I may answer him? Who is asking Me that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness that I may forgive him?”

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

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Hadith Eighteen

Allah Is Near to the People of Goodness

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported in the Sacred Hadith concerning gatherings of remembrance:

“I say: I have forgiven them, granted them what they asked for, and protected them from that which they sought protection from.”

Source: Narrated by Muslim, with routes also found in al-Bukhari, al-Tirmidhi, and al-Nasa’i.

Grading: Authentic.

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Sixth: Mercy Toward Creation

Hadith Nineteen

Visiting the Sick and Feeding the Needy

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“O son of Adam, I became ill and you did not visit Me.”

The servant says: “O Lord, how could I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds?”

Allah says:

“Did you not know that My servant so-and-so became ill and you did not visit him? Did you not know that had you visited him, you would have found Me with him?”

Then Allah says:

“O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you did not feed Me.”

Then:

“O son of Adam, I asked you for drink and you did not give Me drink.”

Source: Narrated by Muslim.

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Hadith Twenty

Forgiving the One in Difficulty

Abu Mas‘ud al-Ansari رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“A man from among those who lived before you was brought to account, and no good deeds were found for him except that he used to deal with people. He was a wealthy man, and he would instruct his servants to overlook the debts of those who were in hardship.”

Allah said:

“We are more entitled to that than you. Overlook his debt.”

Source: Narrated by Muslim, al-Bukhari, and al-Nasa’i.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Twenty-One

Charity, Even if It Is Small

‘Adi ibn Hatim رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Let each of you protect himself from the Fire, even with half a date. And if he cannot find even that, then with a good word.”

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari.

Grading: Authentic.

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Seventh: Brotherhood and Love

Hadith Twenty-Two

Do Not Carry Resentment in Your Hearts

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“The gates of Paradise are opened on Mondays and Thursdays, and every servant who does not associate anything with Allah is forgiven, except a person between whom and his brother there is rancor. It is said: Delay these two until they reconcile.”

Source: Narrated by Muslim.

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Hadith Twenty-Three

Those Who Love One Another for the Sake of Allah

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Where are those who loved one another for My Majesty? Today I shall shade them in My shade, on a day when there will be no shade but My shade.”

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari; also narrated by Malik.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Twenty-Four

The Love of Allah Elevates Its Possessor

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“When Allah loves a servant, He calls Jibril and says: Indeed, I love so-and-so, so love him... Then acceptance of him is placed upon the earth.”

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

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Eighth: Justice and Trustworthiness

Hadith Twenty-Five

Three Whom Allah Will Oppose on the Day of Resurrection

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Allah, the Exalted, says: There are three against whom I shall be an adversary on the Day of Resurrection: a man who gives his word in My name and then betrays it; a man who sells a free person and consumes his price; and a man who hires a worker, receives the full benefit of his labor, yet does not give him his wages.”

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari; also narrated by Ibn Majah and Ahmad.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Twenty-Six

The Greatness of Allah Is Not a Matter for Rivalry

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, says: Pride is My cloak and greatness is My garment. Whoever contends with Me concerning either of them, I shall cast him into the Fire.”

Source: Narrated by Abu Dawud, as well as Ibn Majah and Ahmad, with authentic chains according to the cited source.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Twenty-Seven

Do Not Pass Judgment on the Servants of Allah

Jundub رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ narrated:

“A man said: By Allah, Allah will never forgive so-and-so. Allah, the Exalted, said: Who is this who swears by Me that I will not forgive so-and-so? Indeed, I have forgiven so-and-so and nullified your deeds.”

Source: Narrated by Muslim.

Grading: Authentic.

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Ninth: Patience and Trials

Hadith Twenty-Eight

The Reward for Patience When Losing a Loved One

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Allah, the Exalted, says: My believing servant has no reward with Me, when I take away his beloved one from the people of this world and he bears it patiently, expecting reward from Me, except Paradise.”

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Twenty-Nine

The Believer and Tribulation

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported in the Sacred Hadith:

“My believing servant has no reward with Me... except Paradise.”

The meaning is that whoever bears patiently, seeking Allah’s reward, when someone dear to him is taken away, will have Paradise as his reward from Allah.

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Thirty

Do Not Hasten to Meet Allah

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, says: When My servant loves to meet Me, I love to meet him; and when he dislikes meeting Me, I dislike meeting him.”

The Prophet ﷺ explained that when the believer is given glad tidings of Allah’s mercy, His pleasure, and His Paradise, he comes to love meeting Allah.

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

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Tenth: Fear of Allah and Hope in His Mercy

Hadith Thirty-One

A Man Who Wronged Himself, Yet Feared His Lord

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“A man had greatly wronged himself. When death approached him, he instructed his sons, saying: When I die, burn me, then grind me to dust, then scatter me into the sea...”

Then Allah said to him:

“What caused you to do what you did?”

He replied:

“Fear of You, O my Lord.”

So Allah forgave him.

Source: Narrated by Muslim; also narrated by al-Bukhari, al-Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Thirty-Two

Do Not Presume to Judge the Extent of Allah’s Mercy

Jundub رضي الله عنه reported:

“Who is this who swears by Me that I will not forgive so-and-so? Indeed, I have forgiven so-and-so.”

Source: Narrated by Muslim.

Grading: Authentic.

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Eleventh: The Greatness of Allah and the Dependence of Creation upon Him

Hadith Thirty-Three

The Disobedience of Creation Does Not Harm Allah

Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ related from his Lord:

“O My servants, you can never reach a point where you could harm Me, nor can you reach a point where you could benefit Me.”

Source: Narrated by Muslim.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Thirty-Four

All Creation Is in Need of Allah

In the Sacred Hadith:

“O My servants, all of you are astray except those whom I guide, so seek guidance from Me and I shall guide you.”

Source: Narrated by Muslim.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Thirty-Five

Seek Provision from the One Who Provides

In the Sacred Hadith:

“O My servants, all of you are hungry except those whom I feed, so ask Me for food and I shall feed you.”

Source: Narrated by Muslim.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Thirty-Six

The Treasures of Allah Never Diminish

In the Sacred Hadith:

“O My servants, if the first of you and the last of you, the humans among you and the jinn among you, were all to stand together upon one open plain and ask Me, and I were to give every person what he asked for, that would diminish what I possess no more than a needle diminishes the sea when it is dipped into it.”

Source: Narrated by Muslim.

Grading: Authentic.

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Twelfth: The Day of Resurrection and the Hereafter

Hadith Thirty-Seven

A Bliss Beyond Human Imagination

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Allah says: I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and what has never occurred to the heart of a human being.”

Then Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه recited:

“No soul knows what joy has been hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.”

(Qur’an 32:17)

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari, Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Thirty-Eight

The Life of the Martyrs with Their Lord

Masruq said:

“We asked ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud رضي الله عنه about the verse:

‘Do not think of those who have been killed in the way of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.’

(Qur’an 3:169)

He said:

‘Their souls are within green birds, with lamps suspended beneath the Throne. They roam freely throughout Paradise wherever they wish, then return to those lamps.’”

Then Allah looks upon them and says:

“Do you desire anything?”

Source: Narrated by Muslim; also narrated by al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Thirty-Nine

The Pleasure of Allah Is Greater Than Every Blessing

Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Allah will say to the people of Paradise: O people of Paradise!

They will say: Here we are, our Lord, at Your service. All goodness is in Your hands.

He will say: Are you pleased?

They will say: Why would we not be pleased, when You have given us what You have given no other of Your creation?

He will say: Shall I not give you something better than that?

Then He will say: I grant you My pleasure, and after that I shall never be displeased with you.”

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari, Muslim, and al-Tirmidhi.

Grading: Authentic.

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Hadith Forty

Intercession and the Hope of the People of Tawhid

Anas رضي الله عنه reported from the Prophet ﷺ, in the lengthy hadith concerning intercession:

“The believers will gather on the Day of Resurrection and say: If only we could seek someone to intercede for us with our Lord...”

They will then go to the Prophets until they come to Muhammad ﷺ, who will intercede for them by Allah’s permission.

And in the hadith, Allah will say:

“Raise your head. Ask, and you will be given. Speak, and you will be heard. Intercede, and your intercession will be accepted.”

Then people will be brought out of the Fire: those whose hearts contain goodness equal to the weight of a grain of barley, then those whose hearts contain the weight of a grain, and then those whose hearts contain the weight of an atom.

Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari, Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah.

Grading: Authentic.

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Conclusion

All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

These forty narrations are not merely texts to be read. They are doors through which one may reflect and act:

Mercy for the one who returns,

Forgiveness for the one who repents,

Nearness for the one who turns toward Allah,

Love for the one who is sincere,

Reward for the one who is patient,

Honor for the one who is mindful of Allah,

Hope for the one who affirms His Oneness,

And eternal bliss for the one who meets his Lord as a believer.

We ask Allah, the Most High, to make us among the people of sincerity and Tawhid; to grant us humble hearts, tongues that remember Him, righteous deeds, sincere repentance, a good opinion of Him, and steadfastness upon the truth until we meet Him.

O Allah, forgive our sins, have mercy upon our weakness, overlook our shortcomings, and grant us a good ending.

May Allah send His peace, blessings, and grace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.

And all praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

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Editorial and Documentation Note

In this collection, the title, arrangement, and thematic structure have been independently prepared. It is not a rewritten or reproduced version of a book by Shaykh Aaidh al-Qarni.

Care has been taken to verify the hadith sources used in the collection. The reference material available through Sunnah.com attributes the narrations to major hadith collections including those of al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah, and others, and provides hadith gradings where the narration is not found in the two Sahihs.