Book 4: Prayer

Abu Umama said that God’s Messenger was asked which supplication is most readily listened to, and replied, “What is offered in the latter part of the depth of the night and after the prescribed prayers.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

‘Uqba b. ‘Amir said that God’s Messenger ordered him to recite al-Mu'awwidhat* after every prayer. * Suras 113 and 114 are commonly called al-Mu'awwidhatan, this being the dual. Although al-Masabih has the dual, the Mishkat has the plural. In the notes to the Damascus edition it is suggested that suras 109 and 112 may be added, but it is more probable that the Mishkat has used the plural in error. Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i and Baihaqi, in [Kitab] ad-da‘awat al-kabir, transmitted it.

Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “To sit with people who make mention of God after the morning prayer till sunrise is more pleasing to me than setting free four of the descendants of Ishmael, and to sit with people who make mention of God after the afternoon prayer till the sun sets is more pleasing to me than setting four free.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone, prays the dawn prayer in a company, then sits making mention of God till the sun rises, then prays two rak'as, he will have a reward equivalent to that for a hajja* and an ‘umra.” He reported God’s Messenger as adding, “A perfect one, a perfect one, a perfect one.” * A pilgrimage to Mecca and neighbouring spots made at the proper season in Dhul Hijja. Tirmidhi transmitted it.