The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer)

Qutaybah reported to us; he said: al-Fudayl—namely, Ibn ‘Iyad—reported to us, from al-A‘mash, from Shaqiq, from ‘Abd Allah, who said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, is Peace. When any one of you sits, let him say: ‘All greetings belong to Allah, and prayers and good words. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon Allah’s righteous servants. I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.’ Then, after that, let him choose whatever words he wishes.”

Muhammad ibn Bashshar narrated to us: Yahya ibn Sa‘id narrated to us, from Hisham, from Qatadah. Another chain: Muhammad ibn al-Muthanna narrated to us: Yahya narrated to us; Hisham narrated to us, saying: Qatadah narrated to us, from Yunus ibn Jubayr, from Hittan ibn ‘Abd Allah, that al-Ash‘ari said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) addressed us, taught us our Sunnah, and explained our prayer to us. He said: “When you stand for prayer, straighten your rows, then let one of you lead you. When he says the takbir, say the takbir; and when he says, ‘not those who went astray’ [wa la al-dallin], say ‘Amin’; Allah will answer you. Then, when he says the takbir and bows, say the takbir and bow, for the imam bows before you and rises before you.” The Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) said: “That is offset by this. When he says, ‘Allah hears the one who praises Him,’ say, ‘O Allah, our Lord, to You belongs all praise,’ for Allah, Mighty and Sublime, has said on the tongue of His Prophet (ﷺ), ‘Allah hears the one who praises Him.’ Then, when he says the takbir and prostrates, say the takbir and prostrate, for the imam prostrates before you and rises before you.” The Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) said: “That is offset by this. When you are seated, let these words be among what one of you says: ‘All greetings, good words, and prayers belong to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon Allah’s righteous servants. I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.’”

‘Amr ibn ‘Ali narrated to us: Abu ‘Asim narrated to us; Ayman ibn Nabil narrated to us; Abu al-Zubayr narrated to us, from Jabir ibn ‘Abd Allah, who said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to teach us the tashahhud as he taught us a surah of the Qur’an: “In the name of Allah, and by Allah. All greetings, prayers, and good words belong to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon Allah’s righteous servants. I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. I ask Allah for Paradise, and I seek refuge in Him from the Fire.” Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman said: We do not know anyone who corroborated Ayman ibn Nabil in this narration. In our view, there is no problem with Ayman, but this hadith is mistaken. And with Allah is the success.

‘Abd al-Wahhab ibn ‘Abd al-Hakam al-Warraq narrated to us: Mu‘adh ibn Mu‘adh narrated to us, from Sufyan ibn Sa‘id. Another chain: Mahmud ibn Ghaylan narrated to us: Waki‘ and ‘Abd al-Razzaq narrated to us, from Sufyan, from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Sa’ib, from Zadhan, from ‘Abd Allah, who said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Allah has angels who travel throughout the earth and convey to me the greetings of peace from my community.”

Ishaq ibn Mansur al-Kawsaj narrated to us: ‘Affan informed us: Hammad narrated to us: Thabit narrated to us, saying: Sulayman, the client of al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali, came to us during the time of al-Hajjaj and narrated to us from ‘Abd Allah ibn Abi Talhah, from his father, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came one day with joy visible on his face. We said, “We can see the joy on your face.” He said: “The angel came to me and said, ‘O Muhammad, your Lord says: Would it not please you that whenever anyone invokes blessings upon you, I bless him tenfold, and whenever anyone offers you greetings of peace, I return greetings of peace to him tenfold?’”

Muhammad ibn Salamah narrated to us: Ibn Wahb narrated to us, from Haywah ibn Shurayh, from Abu Hani’, that Abu ‘Ali al-Janbi told him that he heard Fadalah ibn ‘Ubayd say: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard a man supplicating during his prayer without glorifying Allah or invoking blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “You have been hasty, O worshipper.” Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught them. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) later heard a man praying who glorified and praised Allah and invoked blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Supplicate, and you will be answered; ask, and you will be given.”

Muhammad ibn Salamah and al-Harith ibn Miskin narrated to us; it was read to al-Harith while I listened—and these are his words—from Ibn al-Qasim, who said: Malik narrated to me, from Nu‘aym ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Mujmir, that Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn Zayd al-Ansari—the one informed by ‘Abd Allah ibn Zayd, who was shown the call to prayer—told him, from Abu Mas‘ud al-Ansari, that he said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to us while we were gathered in the assembly of Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubadah. Bashir ibn Sa‘d said to him, “Allah, Mighty and Sublime, has commanded us to invoke blessings upon you, O Messenger of Allah. How should we invoke blessings upon you?” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) remained silent until we wished he had not asked him. Then he said: “Say: ‘O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim; and bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed the family of Ibrahim among all peoples. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious.’ And the greeting of peace is as you have learned.”

Ziyad ibn Yahya narrated to us: ‘Abd al-Wahhab ibn ‘Abd al-Majid narrated to us: Hisham ibn Hassan narrated to us, from Muhammad, from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Bishr, from Abu Mas‘ud al-Ansari, who said: It was said to the Prophet (ﷺ), “We have been commanded to invoke blessings upon you and to offer you greetings of peace. We already know how to offer the greeting of peace; so how should we invoke blessings upon you?” He said: “Say: ‘O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim. O Allah, bless Muhammad, as You blessed the family of Ibrahim.’”

Al-Qasim ibn Zakariyya ibn Dinar narrated to us from his book: Husayn ibn ‘Ali narrated to us, from Za’idah, from Sulayman, from ‘Amr ibn Murrah, from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Layla, from Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah, who said: We said, “O Messenger of Allah, we know how to offer you greetings of peace; how should we invoke blessings upon you?” He said: “Say: ‘O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious.’” Ibn Abi Layla said: “We also say, ‘And upon us along with them.’” Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman said: He narrated this to us from his book, and this is a mistake.

Al-Qasim ibn Zakariyya narrated to us: Husayn narrated to us, from Za’idah, from Sulayman, from al-Hakam, from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Layla, from Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah, who said: We said, “O Messenger of Allah, we know how to offer you greetings of peace; how should we invoke blessings upon you?” He said: “Say: ‘O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious. And bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious.’” ‘Abd al-Rahman said: “We also say, ‘And upon us along with them.’” Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman said: “This version is more likely to be correct than the preceding one. We do not know anyone other than this narrator who included ‘Amr ibn Murrah in its chain. And Allah, Exalted is He, knows best.”

Suwayd ibn Nasr narrated to us: ‘Abd Allah narrated to us, from Shu‘bah, from al-Hakam, from Ibn Abi Layla, who said: Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah said to me, “Shall I give you a gift?” We said, “O Messenger of Allah, we know how to offer you greetings of peace; how should we invoke blessings upon you?” He said: “Say: ‘O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious.’”

Ishaq ibn Ibrahim informed us: Muhammad ibn Bishr informed us: Mujammi‘ ibn Yahya narrated to us, from ‘Uthman ibn Mawhab, from Musa ibn Talhah, from his father, who said: We said, “O Messenger of Allah, how should we invoke blessings upon you?” He said: “Say: ‘O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious. And bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious.’”

‘Ubayd Allah ibn Sa‘d ibn Ibrahim ibn Sa‘d informed us: My uncle narrated to us: Sharik narrated to us, from ‘Uthman ibn Mawhab, from Musa ibn Talhah, from his father, that a man came to the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) and said, “O Prophet of Allah, how should we invoke blessings upon you?” He said: “Say: ‘O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious. And bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious.’”

Sa‘id ibn Yahya ibn Sa‘id al-Umawi narrated to us—in his narration, from his father—from ‘Uthman ibn Hakim, from Khalid ibn Salamah, from Musa ibn Talhah, who said: I asked Zayd ibn Kharijah, who said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and he said: “Send blessings upon me, strive earnestly in supplication, and say: ‘O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.’”

Qutaybah narrated to us: Bakr narrated to us—he is Ibn Mudar—from Ibn al-Hadi, from ‘Abd Allah ibn Khabbab, from Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri, who said: We said, “O Messenger of Allah, we know how to offer you greetings of peace; how should we invoke blessings upon you?” He said: “Say: ‘O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad, Your servant and Messenger, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious. And bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim.’”

Qutaybah ibn Sa‘id narrated to us, from Malik. Al-Harith ibn Miskin also narrated to us; it was read to him while I listened, from Ibn al-Qasim, who told me: Malik narrated to me, from ‘Abd Allah ibn Abi Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Amr ibn Hazm, from his father, from ‘Amr ibn Sulaym al-Zuraqi, who said: Abu Humayd al-Sa‘idi informed me that they said, “O Messenger of Allah, how should we invoke blessings upon you?” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Say: ‘O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad, his wives, and his offspring.’” In al-Harith’s narration are the words: “‘As You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim; and bless Muhammad, his wives, and his offspring.’” Both narrators said: “‘As You blessed the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious.’” Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman said: “Qutaybah informed us of this hadith twice; perhaps a portion of it was omitted from his transmission.”

Suwayd ibn Nasr narrated to us: ‘Abd Allah—that is, Ibn al-Mubarak—narrated to us: Hammad ibn Salamah informed us, from Thabit, from Sulayman, the client of al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali, from ‘Abd Allah ibn Abi Talhah, from his father, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came one day with joy visible on his face. He said: “Jibril (peace be upon him) came to me and said, ‘Would it not please you, O Muhammad, that whenever anyone from your community invokes blessings upon you, I bless him tenfold, and whenever anyone from your community offers you greetings of peace, I return greetings of peace to him tenfold?’”

‘Ali ibn Hujr narrated to us: Isma‘il ibn Ja‘far narrated to us, from al-‘Ala’, from his father, from Abu Hurayrah, from the Prophet (ﷺ), who said: “Whoever invokes blessings upon me once, Allah bestows blessings upon him tenfold.”

Ishaq ibn Mansur narrated to us: Muhammad ibn Yusuf narrated to us: Yunus ibn Abi Ishaq narrated to us, from Burayd ibn Abi Maryam, who said: Anas ibn Malik narrated to us that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever invokes blessings upon me once, Allah bestows blessings upon him ten times, erases ten of his sins, and raises him ten degrees.”

Ya‘qub ibn Ibrahim al-Dawraqi and ‘Amr ibn ‘Ali narrated to us—and these are the words of the latter. They both said: Yahya narrated to us: Sulayman al-A‘mash narrated to us: Shaqiq narrated to me, from ‘Abd Allah, who said: When we sat with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) during the prayer, we used to say, “Peace be upon Allah from His servants; peace be upon so-and-so and so-and-so.” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Do not say, ‘Peace be upon Allah,’ for Allah is al-Salam [the Source of Peace]. Rather, when one of you sits, let him say: ‘All greetings, prayers, and good words belong to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon Allah’s righteous servants.’ When you say that, it reaches every righteous servant in the heavens and the earth. ‘I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.’ Then let him choose whichever supplication he likes and make it afterward.”