Book 4: Prayer

Ibn ‘Abbas said he used to know that God’s Messenger had finished his prayer when he heard the takbir. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘A’isha said that when God’s Messenger uttered the salutation he sat no longer than it took to say, “O God, Thou art Peace, and peace comes from Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Possessor of glory and honour.” Muslim transmitted it.

Thauban said that when God’s Messenger finished his prayer he asked forgiveness three times and said, “O God, Thou art Peace, and peace comes from Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Possessor of glory and honour.” Muslim transmitted it.

Al-Mughira b. Shu'ba stated that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to say after every prescribed prayer, “There is no god but God alone, who has no partner. To Him belongs the kingdom, to Him praise is due, and He is omnipotent. O God, no one can withhold what Thou givest, or give what Thou withholdest, and riches cannot avail a wealthy person with Thee.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Abdallah b. az-Zubair said that when God’s Messenger uttered the salutation at the end of his prayer he used to say as loudly as he could. “There is no god but God alone who has no partner. To Him belongs the kingdom, to Him praise is due, and He is omnipotent. There is no might or power except in God. There is no god but God whom alone we worship. To Hirn belongs wealth, to Him belongs grace, and to Him is worthy praise accorded. There is no god but God to whom we are sincere in devotion, even though the infidels should disapprove’ (Al-Qur’an; 40:14). Muslim transmitted it.

Sa'd said he used to teach his sons the following words, saying that God’s Messenger was accustomed to use them when committing himself to God’s protection at the end of prayer, “O God, I seek refuge in Thee from cowardice, I seek refuge in Thee from niggardliness, I seek refuge in Thee from the vilest kind of life, I seek refuge in Thee from the seduction of the world and the punishment in the grave.” Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Huraira told of the poor Emigrants coming to God’s Messenger and saying, “The possessors of great wealth have obtained all the highest grades and lasting bliss.” When he asked what they meant they replied, “They pray as we do, they fast as we do, they give alms but we do not, and they set slaves free but we do not.” So God’s Messenger said, “Shall I not teach you something by which you will catch up on those who have preceded you and get ahead of those who come after you, only those who do as you do being more excellent than you?” On their replying, “Certainly, Messenger of God,” he said, “Extol God, declare His greatness, and praise Him thirty-three times after every prayer.” Abu Salih said that the poor Emigrants returned to God’s Messenger saying, “Our brethren, the possessors of property, have heard what we have done, and they have done the same,” to which he replied, “That is God’s grace, which He gives to whom He wishes.” (Al-Qur’an; 5:54; 57:21; 62:4.) (Bukhari and Muslim) What Abu Salih said is given up to the end only by Muslim. A version has, “Extol God ten times after every prayer, praise Him ten times, and declare His greatness ten times,” instead of thirty-three times given by Bukhari.

Ka'b b. ‘Ujra reported God’s Messenger as saying, “There are certain remembrances the repeaters (or, performers)* of which after every prescribed prayer will never be caused disappointment: ‘Glory be to God’ thirty-three times, ‘Praise be to God’ thirty-three times, and ‘God is most great’ thirty-four times.” * The transmitter gives this alternative, thus showing that he is not sure which word was used. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone says ‘Glory be to God’ after every prayer thirty-three times, ‘Praise be to God’ thirty-three times, and ‘God is most great’ thirty-three times, ninety-nine times in all, and says to complete a hundred, ‘There is no god but God alone who has no partner; to Him belongs the kingdom, to Him praise is due, and He is omnipotent,’ his sins will be forgiven, even if they are as abundant as the foam of the sea.” Muslim transmitted it.