‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s messenger as saying, “The supplication which gets the quickest answer is that made by one distant friend for another.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.
Commentary on the Hadith of Distant Friends' Supplication
This noble tradition from the Mishkat al-Masabih (Hadith 2247) reveals profound wisdom regarding the acceptance of supplications. The phrase "distant friend" refers to believers separated by physical distance who maintain sincere bonds of faith and affection for one another.
Scholars explain that such supplications are readily accepted because they demonstrate pure sincerity (ikhlas) free from worldly motives. When one prays for an absent brother, there can be no expectation of immediate reciprocation or worldly benefit, unlike when praying for someone present who might feel obliged to return the favor.
Imam al-Ghazali notes that this hadith emphasizes the importance of selflessness in worship. The distance ensures the supplication arises solely for God's pleasure, not for social courtesy or personal gain. This purity of intention attracts divine mercy and swift response.
Furthermore, this teaching encourages maintaining spiritual connections beyond physical proximity, strengthening the bonds of brotherhood within the Muslim community worldwide. It reminds believers that true friendship in faith transcends geographical boundaries.
The inclusion of this narration in both Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud's collections indicates its reliability and importance in Islamic spiritual practice, guiding Muslims toward the most effective means of having their prayers answered.