Hadith Text & Reference

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "If any one of you says: 'Amin' and the angels in Heaven say Amin, and the one coincides with the other, his previous sins will be forgiven."

Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 930 | Book: The Book of the Commencement of the Prayer

Meaning of "Amin"

The word "Amin" means "O Allah, answer our supplication" or "So be it." It is a confirmation and earnest plea following the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah in prayer, where the worshipper asks Allah to accept this fundamental prayer for guidance.

The Divine Concurrence

The profound wisdom in this hadith lies in the synchronization of the human and heavenly realms. When a believer sincerely says "Amin" at the conclusion of al-Fatihah, the angels in heaven simultaneously utter the same word, affirming the supplication. This moment of divine alignment signifies acceptance.

Forgiveness of Sins

The reward for this synchronized "Amin" is the forgiveness of one's previous sins. This demonstrates the immense mercy of Allah, granting such a great reward for a single, sincere utterance that connects the servant's heart with the celestial world. It emphasizes the importance of presence of heart (hudur al-qalb) and consciousness during prayer.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam an-Nawawi explains that this hadith encourages the worshipper to have hope in Allah's vast mercy. The "coinciding" refers to the believer's "Amin" being said at the precise time most beloved to Allah, which is immediately after finishing the Fatihah, in a state of humility and concentration. Al-Qurtubi adds that this forgiveness is a specific mercy for the Ummah of Muhammad (ﷺ), highlighting the unique status of the communal prayer (salah al-jama'ah).