The Excellence of the Remembrance of Allah
وَعَنْ أم المؤمنيين جويرية بنت الحارث رَضِيَ اللَّه عَنْهَا أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِهَا بُكْرَةً حِينَ صَلَّى الصُّبْحَ وَهِيَ فِي مَسْجِدِهَا، ثُمَّ رَجَعَ بَعْدَ أَنْ أضحي وَهِيَ جَالِسَةٌ، فَقَالَ: "مازلت على الحالة التي فارقت عليها؟" قَالَتْ: نَعَمْ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: "لقد كنت بَعْدَكِ أَرْبَعَ كَلِمَاتٍ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ، لَوْ وُزِنَتْ بِمَا قُلْتِ مُنْذُ الْيَوْمِ لَوَزَنَتْهُنَّ: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ عَدَدَ خَلْقِهِ، وَرِضَا نَفْسِهِ، وَزِنَةَ عَرْشِهِ، وَمِدَادَ كَلِمَاتِهِ" ((رَوَاهُ مُسلم)). وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ لَهُ: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَدَدَ خَلْقِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رِضَا نَفْسِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ زِنَةَ عَرْشِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ مِدَادَ كَلِمَاتِهِ". وفي رواية التِّرْمِذِيّ: أَلاَ أُعَلِّمُكِ كَلِمَاتٍ تَقُولِينَهَا؟ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَدَدَ خَلْقِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَدَدَ خَلْقِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَدَدَ خَلْقِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رِضَا نَفْسِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رِضَا نَفْسِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رِضَا نَفْسِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ زِنَةَ عَرْشِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ زِنَةَ عَرْشِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ زِنَةَ عَرْشِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ مِدَادَ كَلِمَاتِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ مِدَادَ كَلِمَاتِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ مِدَادَ كَلِمَاتِهِ".
Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with her), the Mother of the Believers, reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) came out from my apartment in the morning as I was busy in performing the dawn prayer. He came back in the forenoon and found me sitting there. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Are you still in the same position as I left you." I replied in the affirmative. Thereupon the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I recited four words three times after I had left you. If these are to be weighed against all you have recited since morning, these will be heavier. These are: Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, `adada khalqihi, wa rida nafsihi, wa zinatah `arshihi, wa midada kalimatihi [Allah is free from imperfection and I begin with His praise, as many times as the number of His creatures, in accordance with His Good Pleasure, equal to the weight of His Throne and equal to the ink that may be used in recording the words (for His Praise)]." [Muslim].
The Excellence of the Remembrance of Allah
وَعَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى اَلْأَشْعَرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّه عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، قَالَ: "مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَذْكُرُ رَبَّهُ وَالَّذِي لاَ يذكره، مثل الحي والميت" ((رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ)). وَرَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ فقال: "مَثَلُ الْبَيْتِ الَّذِي يُذْكَرُ اللَّهُ فِيهِ، وَالْبَيْتِ الَّذِي لاَ يُذْكَرُ اللَّهُ فِيهِ، مَثَلُ الحي وَالْمَيِّتِ".
Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The similitude of one who remembers his Rubb and one who does not remember Him, is like that of the living and the dead." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
The Excellence of the Remembrance of Allah
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، قَالَ: يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: أَنَا عِنْدَ ظَنِّ عَبْدِي بِي، وَأَنَا مَعَهُ إِذَا ذَكَرَنِي، فَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي نَفْسِهِ، ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي نَفْسِي وَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي ملإٍ ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي ملإٍ خَيْرٍ مِنْهُمْ ((مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ)).
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah the Exalted says: 'I am as my slave expects me to be, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me inwardly, I will remember him inwardly, and if he remembers Me in an assembly, I will remember him in a better assembly (i.e., in the assembly of angels)." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
The Excellence of the Remembrance of Allah
وَعَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: "سَبَقَ الْمُفَرِّدُونَ" قَالُوا: وَمَا الْمُفَرِّدُونَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: "الذَّاكِرُونَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا والذكرات" ((رَوَاهُ مُسْلِم)). وروي : (( المفردون )) بتشديد الراء وتخفيفها والمشهور الذي قاله الجمهور : التشديد.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The Mufarridun have gone ahead." He was asked, "Who are the Mufarridun?" He (ﷺ) replied, "Those men and women who frequently celebrate the remembrance of Allah." [Muslim].
The Excellence of the Remembrance of Allah
وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّه عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: أَفْضَلُ الذِّكْرِ: لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَقَالَ حَدِيثٌ حَسَن.
Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "The best way to celebrate the remembrance of Allah is to say: La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah)." [At-Tirmidhi].
The Excellence of the Remembrance of Allah
وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ بشر رَضِيَ اللَّه عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَجُلاً قَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّ شَرَائِعَ الإِسْلاَمِ قَدْ كَثُرَتْ علي، فَأَخْبِرْنِي بِشَيْءٍ أَتَشَبَّثُ بِهِ قَالَ: لاَ يَزَالُ لِسَانُكَ رَطْبًا مِنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَقَالَ حَدِيثٌ حَسَن.
'Abdullah bin Busr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One of the Companions said, "O Messenger of Allah. There are many injunctions of Islam for me. So tell me something to which I may hold fast." He said, "Keep your tongue wet with the remembrance of Allah." [At-Tirmidhi].
The Excellence of the Remembrance of Allah
وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: مَنْ قَالَ: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، غُرِسَتْ لَهُ نَخْلَةٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ وَقَالَ حَدِيث حَسَن.
Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "For him who says: 'Subhan-Allahi wa bi hamdihi (Allah is free from imperfection, and I begin with praising Him, and to Him),' a palm-tree will be planted in Jannah." [At- Tirmidhi].
The Excellence of the Remembrance of Allah
وَعَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: لقيت إِبْرَاهِيمُ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَيْلَةَ أُسَرِيَ بِي، فَقَالَ: يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَقْرِئْ أُمَّتَكَ مِنِّي السَّلَامَ، وَأَخْبِرْهُمْ أَنَّ الْجَنَّةَ طَيِّبَةُ التُّرْبَةِ، عَذْبَةُ الْمَاءِ، وَأَنَّهَا قِيعَانٌ، وَأَنَّ غِرَاسَهَا: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَقَالَ حَدِيث حَسَن.
Ibn Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "I met Ibrahim (ﷺ) on the Night of Ascension (Al-Asra), and he said to me: 'O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your Ummah, and tell them that Jannah has a vast plain of pure soil and sweet water. It is a plain levelled land. The plants grow there by uttering: Subhan-Allah, Al-hamdu lillah, La ilaha illallah and Allahu Akbar (Allah is free from imperfection; praise be to Allah; there is no true god except Allah; and Allah is Greatest)." [At- Tirmidhi].
The Excellence of the Remembrance of Allah
وَعَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ، رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: "أَلَا أُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِخَيْرِ أَعْمَالِكُمْ، وَأَزْكَاهَا عِنْدَ مَلِيكِكُمْ، وَأَرْفَعِهَا فِي دَرَجَاتِكُمْ، وَخَيْرٍ لَكُمْ مِنْ إِنْفَاقِ الذهبِ والفضة وَخَيْرٌ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْ تَلْقَوْا عَدُوَّكُمْ فَتَضْرِبُوا أَعْنَاقَهُمْ، وَيَضْرِبُوا أَعْنَاقَكُمْ؟" قَالُوا: بَلَى، قَالَ: "ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى". رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ وَقَالَ الحاكم أَبُو عبد اللَّه إسناده صَحِيح.
Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Shall I not inform you of the best of your actions which are the purest to your Rubb, which exalt you to the high ranks, which are more efficacious than spending gold and silver (in charity), and better for you than you should encounter your enemies whom you will smite their necks and they will smite your necks?" They said, "Certainly." He (ﷺ) said, "Remembrance of Allah the Exalted." [At-Tirmidhi].
The Excellence of the Remembrance of Allah
وَعَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّهُ دَخَلَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَلَى امْرَأَةٍ وَبَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا نَوًى -أَوْ حَصًى- تُسَبِّحُ بِهِ فَقَالَ: "أُخْبِرُكِ بِمَا هُوَ أَيْسَرُ عَلَيْكِ مِنْ هَذَا - أَوْ أَفْضَلُ" فَقَالَ: "سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَدَدَ مَا خَلَقَ فِي السَّمَاءِ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَدَدَ مَا خَلَقَ فِي الأَرْضِ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَدَدَ مَا بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَدَدَ مَا هُوَ خَالِقٌ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ، وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ". ((رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَقَالَ: حَدِيث حَسَن)).
Sa'd bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and I went to see a woman. She had date- stones or pebbles in front of her, and she was counting and reciting Tasbih. ['Subhan-Allah' (Allah is free from imperfection)]. He said, "Shall I not inform you of what is easier or better than this for you?" You should say: 'Subhan-Allahi 'adada ma khalaqa fis-sama', wa subhan-Allahi 'adada ma khalaqa fil-ardi, wa subhan-Allahi 'adada ma baina dhalika, wa subhan-Allahi 'adada ma Huwa Khaliqun, wallahu Akbaru mithla dhalika, wal-hamdu lillahi mithla dhalika, wa la ilaha illallahu mithla dhalika, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi mithla dhalika (Subhan-Allah, equal to the number of what He created in the heaven; and Subhan-Allah, equal to the number of His creatures in the earth; and Subhan-Allah, equal to the number in between them; and Subhan-Allah equal to the number of those He will create).' Then say: 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is Greatest) in the same way. Then say: 'Al-hamdu lillah' (praise be to Allah) in the same way. Then say: 'La ilaha illallah' (there is no true god except Allah) in the same way. Then say: 'La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah' (there is no change of a condition nor power except by Allah) in the same manner." [At-Tirmidhi].
The Excellence of the Remembrance of Allah
وَعَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: "أَلاَ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى كَنْزٍ مِنْ كُنُوزِ الْجَنَّةِ ؟" فَقُلْتُ: بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ: "لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ" ((مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ)).
Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, "Shall I not guide you to a treasure from the treasures of Jannah?" I said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah!" Thereupon he (ﷺ) said, "(Recite) 'La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah' (There is no change of a condition nor power except by Allah)." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Remembrance of Allah in all Conditions
وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَذْكُرَ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى عَلَى كُلِّ أَحْيَانِهِ. رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ.
'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to remember Allah at all times. [Muslim].
Remembrance of Allah in all Conditions
وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: لَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا أَتَى أَهْلَهُ قَالَ: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ جَنِّبْنَا الشَّيْطَانَ وَجَنِّبِ الشَّيْطَانَ مَا رَزَقْتَنَا، فقضى بَيْنَهُمَا وَلَدٌ لَمْ يَضُرَّهُ ((مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ)).
Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "If anyone intends to have (sexual intercourse) with his wife, he should say: "Bismillah! Allahumma janibnash-Shaitana, wa jannibish-Shaitana ma razaqtana (In the Name of Allah, O Allah! Keep us away from Satan and keep Satan away from what You have bestowed upon us);' and if Allah has ordained a child for them, Satan will never harm him." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
The Book of the Etiquette of Sleeping, Lying, and Sitting etc
عَنْ حذيفة، وَأَبِي ذَرٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَا: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا أَوَى إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ قَالَ: "بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا" وَإِذَا اسْتَيْقَظَ قَالَ: "الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ" ((رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيّ)).
Hudhaifah and Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went to bed, he would supplicate: "Bismika-Allahumma amut wa ahya (With Your Name, O Allah, I die and return to life)"; and when he woke up, he would supplicate thus: "Al-hamdu lillahilladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana, wa ilaihin-nushur (All praise belongs to Allah Who has restored us back to life after causing us to die; and to Him shall we return)." [Al-Bukhari]
The Excellence of Gathering in which Allah is Remembered
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ "إِنَّ لله تَعَالَى مَلاَئِكَةً يَطُوفُونَ فِي الطُّرُقِ يَلْتَمِسُونَ أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ، فَإِذَا وَجَدُوا قَوْمًا يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ عز وجل، تَنَادَوْا: هَلُمُّوا إِلَى حَاجَتِكُمْ، فَيَحُفُّونَهُمْ بِأَجْنِحَتِهِمْ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا، فَيَسْأَلُهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ - وَهْوَ أَعْلَمُ: مَا يَقُولُ عِبَادِي؟ قَالَ: يَقُولُونَ: يُسَبِّحُونَكَ، وَيُكَبِّرُونَكَ، وَيُحَمِّدُونَكَ، وَيُمَجِّدُونَكَ، فيقول: هل رأوني؟ فيقولون: لا لاَ وَاللَّهِ مَا رَأَوْكَ، فَيَقُولُ: كَيْفَ لَوْ رَأَوْنِي؟! قَالَ: يَقُولُونَ: لَوْ رَأَوْكَ كَانُوا أَشَدَّ لَكَ عِبَادَةً، وَأَشَدَّ لَكَ تَمْجِيدًا، وَأَكْثَرَ لَكَ تَسْبِيحًا فيقول: فماذا يسألون؟ قَالَ: يقولون: يَسْأَلُونَكَ الْجَنَّةَ. قَالَ: يَقُولُ: وَهَلْ رَأَوْهَا؟ قَالَ: يَقُولُونَ: لاَ وَاللَّهِ يَا رَبِّ مَا رَأَوْهَا. قَالَ: يَقُولُ: فَكَيْفَ لَوْ رَأَوْهَا؟! قَالَ: يَقُولُونَ: لَوْ أَنَّهُمْ رَأَوْهَا كَانُوا أَشَدَّ عَلَيْهَا حِرْصًا، وَأَشَدَّ لَهَا طَلَبًا، وَأَعْظَمَ فِيهَا رَغْبَةً. قَالَ: فَمِمَّ يَتَعَوَّذُونَ؟ قَالَ يَقُولُونَ: يَتَعَوَّذُونَ مِنَ النَّارِ، قَالَ: فَيَقُولُ: وَهَلْ رَأَوْهَا؟ قَالَ: يقولون: ولا والله ما رأوها. فيقول: كيف لَوْ رَأَوْهَا؟! قَالَ: يَقُولُونَ: لَوْ رَأَوْهَا كَانُوا أَشَدَّ فِرَارًا، وَأَشَدَّ لَهَا مَخَافَةً. قَالَ: يَقُولُ: فَأُشْهِدُكُمْ أَنِّي قَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَهُمْ، قَالَ: يَقُولُ مَلَكٌ مِنَ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ: فِيهِمْ فُلاَنٌ لَيْسَ مِنْهُمْ، إِنَّمَا جَاءَ لِحَاجَةٍ، قَالَ: هُمُ الْجُلَسَاءُ لاَ يَشْقَى بِهِمْ جَلِيسُهُمْ" ((مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ)). وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ لِمُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّه عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: "إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَلَائِكَةً سَيَّارَةً فُضْلًا يَتَتَبَّعُونَ مَجَالِسَ الذِّكْرِ، فَإِذَا وَجَدُوا مَجْلِسًا فِيهِ ذِكْرٌ، قَعَدُوا مَعَهُمْ، وَحَفَّ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا بِأَجْنِحَتِهِمْ حَتَّى يملئوا ما بينهم وما بين السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا، فَإِذَا تَفَرَّقُوا عَرَجُوا وَصَعِدُوا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ، فَيَسْأَلُهُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ - وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ: مِنْ أَيْنَ جِئْتُمْ؟ فَيَقُولُونَ: جِئْنَا مِنْ عِنْدِ عِبَادٍ لَكَ فِي الأَرْضِ: يُسَبِّحُونَكَ، وَيُكَبِّرُونَكَ، وَيُهَلِّلُونَكَ، وَيَحْمَدُونَكَ، وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ. قَالَ: وَمَاذَا يَسْأَلُونِي؟ قَالُوا: يَسْأَلُونَكَ جَنَّتَكَ. قَالَ: وَهَلْ رَأَوْا جَنَّتِي؟ قَالُوا: لاَ، أي رَبِّ. قَالَ: فَكَيْفَ لَوْ رَأَوْا جَنَّتِي؟! قَالُوا: وَيَسْتَجِيرُونَكَ. قَالَ: وَمِمَّ يَسْتَجِيرُونَي؟ قَالُوا: مِنْ نَارِكَ يَا رَبِّ. قَالَ: وَهَلْ رَأَوْا نَارِي؟ قَالُوا: لَا، قَالَ: فَكَيْفَ لَوْ رَأَوْا نَارِي؟ قَالُوا: وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَكَ، فَيَقُولُ: قَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَهُمْ، وأَعْطَيْتُهُمْ مَا سَأَلُوا، وَأَجَرْتُهُمْ ما اسْتَجَارُوا. قَالَ: فَيَقُولُونَ: رَبِّ فِيهِمْ فُلاَنٌ عَبْدٌ خَطَّاءٌ إِنَّمَا مَرَّ، فَجَلَسَ مَعَهُمْ، فَيَقُولُ: وَلَهُ غَفَرْتُ، هُمُ الْقَوْمُ لاَ يَشْقَى بِهِمْ جَلِيسُهُمْ".
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah, the Exalted, has teams of angels who go about on the roads seeking those who remember Allah. When they find some people remembering Allah they call to one another and say, 'Come to what you are looking for;' and they surround them with their wings till the space between them and the lowest sky is fully covered. Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, asks them (although He is best informed about every thing): 'What are my slave saying?' They say: 'They are glorifying Your Tasbih, Tahmid, Takbir, Tamjid, (i.e., they were declaring Your Perfectness, praising, remembering the Greatness and Majesty of Allah).' He asks: 'Have they seen Me?' They reply, 'No, indeed, they have not seen You.' He asks: 'How would they act if they were to see Me?' Thereupon they reply: 'If they were to see You, they would engage more earnestly in worshipping and glorifying You and would extol You more.' He would say: 'What do they beg of Me?' They say, 'They beg You for Your Jannah.' Allah says, 'Have they seen My Jannah?' They say, 'No, our Rubb.' He says: 'How would they act if they were to see My Jannah?' They reply, 'Were they to see it, they would more intensely eager for it.' They (the angels) say, 'They seek Your Protection.' He asks, 'Against what do they seek My Protection?' They (the angels) say, 'Our Rubb, from the fire of Hell.' (He, the Rubb) says, 'Have they seen the fire of Hell?' They say, 'No. By Your Honour, they have not seen it.' He says: 'How would they act if they were to see My Fire?' They say: 'If they were to see it, they would more earnest in being away from it and fearing it. They beg of Your forgiveness.' He says: 'I call you to witness that I hereby grant pardon to them and confer upon them what they ask for; and grant them protection against what they seek protection from.' One of the angels says: 'Our Rubb, there is amongst them such and such slave who does not belong to the assembly of those who are participating in Your remembrance. He passed by them and sat down with them.' He says: 'I also grant him pardon because they are the people by virtue of whom their associates will not be unfortunate'." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. (The narration in Muslim is also the same with minor changes in wordings).
The Excellence of Gathering in which Allah is Remembered
وعنه وَعَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَا: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: لَا يَقْعُدُ قَوْمٌ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلاَّ حَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ، وَغَشِيَتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَنَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ، وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ ((رَوَاهُ مُسْلِم)).
Abu Hurairah and Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When a group of people assemble for the remembrance of Allah, the angels surround them (with their wings), (Allah's) mercy envelops them, Sakinah, or tranquillity descends upon them and Allah makes a mention of them before those who are near Him." [Muslim].
The Excellence of Gathering in which Allah is Remembered
وَعَنْ أَبِي واقد الحارث بْنِ عَوْفٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، بَيْنَمَا هُوَ جَالِسٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ، وَالنَّاسُ مَعَهُ، إِذْ أَقْبَلَ اثْنَانِ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَذَهَبَ وَاحِدٌ، فَوَقَفَا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَأَمَّا أَحَدُهُمَا فَرَأَى فُرْجَةً فِي الْحَلْقَةِ، فَجَلَسَ فِيهَا وَأَمَّا الآخَرُ، فَجَلَسَ خَلْفَهُمْ، وَأَمَّا الثَّالِثُ فَأَدْبَرَ ذَاهِبًا. فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، قَالَ: أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكُمْ عَنِ النَّفَرِ الثَّلاَثَةِ: أَمَّا أَحَدُهُمْ، فَأَوَى إِلَى اللَّهِ، فَآوَاهُ اللَّهُ ، وَأَمَّا الآخَرُ فاستحيى فاستحيى اللَّهُ مِنْهُ، وَأَمَّا الآخَرُ، فَأَعْرَضَ، فَأَعْرَضَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ" ((مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ)).
Abu Waqid Al-Harith bin 'Auf (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was sitting in the mosque with his Companions when three people came to him. Two of them stepped forward to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and the third went away. Those two men stood by the side of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). One of them found a space in the circle and he filled it, while the other one sat behind him. When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) finished, he said, "Shall I not inform you about these three people? One of them sought refuge with Allah and Allah gave him refuge; the second one felt shy and Allah showed kindness to his shyness (and so he was accommodated in that meeting), and the last one averted, and so Allah turned away His Attention from him." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
The Excellence of Gathering in which Allah is Remembered
وَعَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: خرج مُعَاوِيَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّه عَنْهُ عَلَى حَلْقَةٍ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ، فَقَالَ: مَا أَجْلَسَكُمْ؟ قَالُوا: جَلَسْنَا نَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ. قَالَ: آللَّهِ مَا أَجْلَسَكُمْ إِلاَّ ذَاكَ؟ قَالُوا: مَا أَجْلَسَنَا إِلاَّ ذَاكَ، قَالَ: أَمَا إِنِّي لَمْ أَسْتَحْلِفْكُمْ تُهْمَةً لَكُمْ، وَمَا كَانَ أَحَدٌ بِمَنْزِلَتِي مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَقَلَّ حديثًا مِنِّي: إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خَرَجَ عَلَى حَلْقَةٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ فَقَالَ: "مَا أَجْلَسَكُمْ؟" قَالُوا: جَلَسْنَا نَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ، وَنَحْمَدُهُ عَلَى مَا هَدَانَا لِلإِسْلاَمِ، وَمَنَّ بِهِ عَلَيْنَا. قَالَ: "آللَّهِ مَا أَجْلَسَكُمْ إِلاَّ ذَاكَ؟" قَالُوا: وَاللَّهِ مَا أَجْلَسَنَا إِلاَّ ذَلِكَ". قَالَ: "أَمَا إِنِّي لَمْ أَسْتَحْلِفْكُمْ تُهْمَةً لَكُمْ، وَلَكِنَّهُ أَتَانِي جِبْرِيلُ فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَاهِي بِكُمُ الْمَلَائِكَة" ((رَوَاهُ مُسلم)).
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Mu'awiyah (May Allah be pleased with him) came to an assembly in the mosque and asked them: "What has made you sit together?" They replied, "We are sitting here to remember Allah." He said, "I adjure you by Allah to tell me whether nothing else has made you to sit together." They replied: "By Allah! We are sitting only to remember Allah." Then he said, "I did not adjure you because I suspected you. No one of my rank in the eyes of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) is the narrator of so few traditions as I am. The fact is that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out to a circle of his Companions and said, 'What has made you sit there?' When they replied that they are sitting together to remember Allah and to praise Him for guiding them to Islam and bestowing favours on them, he (ﷺ) said, 'I adjure you by Allah to tell me that nothing else has made you sit together.' On their reply that there was certainly no other purpose, he (ﷺ) said, 'I did not adjure you because I suspected you, but Jibril (Gabriel) came to me and told me that Allah was talking proudly of you to the angels."' [Muslim].
Remembrance of Allah in the Morning and in the Evening
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: مَنْ قَالَ حِينَ يُصْبِحُ وَحِينَ يُمْسِي: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ، لَمْ يَأْتِ أَحَدٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِأَفْضَلَ مِمَّا جَاءَ بِهِ، إِلاَّ أَحَدٌ قَالَ مِثْلَ مَا قَالَ أَوْ زَادَ (( رَوَاهُ مُسْلِم)).
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who recites in the morning and in the evening the statement: 'Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi (Allah is free from imperfection and I begin with praising Him)' one hundred times, will not be surpassed on the Day of Resurrection by anyone with better deeds than one who utters the same words or utters more of these words." [Muslim].
Remembrance of Allah in the Morning and in the Evening
وعنه قَالَ: جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا لَقِيتُ مِنْ عَقْرَبٍ لَدَغَتْنِي الْبَارِحَةَ! قَالَ: أَمَا لَوْ قُلْتَ حِينَ أَمْسَيْتَ: أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خلق لم تَضُرك ((رَوَاهُ مُسلم)).
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "What a trouble I suffered from a scorpion which stung me last night!" He (ﷺ) said, "Had you said in the evening: 'A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaqa (I seek the protection of Allah's Perfect Words from the evil of whatever He has created),' it would not have harmed you." [Muslim].
Remembrance of Allah in the Morning and in the Evening
وعنه عَنْهُ النَّبِيُّ، صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ إِذَا أَصْبَحَ: "اللَّهُمَّ بِكَ أَصْبَحْنَا، وَبِكَ أَمْسَيْنَا، وَبِكَ نَحْيَا، وَبِكَ نَمُوتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ النُّشُورُ". وَإِذَا أَمْسَى قَالَ: "اللَّهُمَّ بِكَ أَمْسَيْنَا، وَبِكَ نَحْيَا، وَبِكَ نَمُوتُ، وَإِلَيْكَ المصير". رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ وَقَالَ حَدِيث حَسَن.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to say in the morning: "Allahumma bika asbahna, wa bika amsaina, wa bika nahya, wa bika namutu, wa ilaikan-nushur (O Allah! With Your Power we have come to the morning, with Your Power we come to the evening, with Your Power we live, and we die, and to You will we return)." In the evening he would say: "Allahumma bika amsaina, wa bika nahya, wa bika namutu, wa ilaikan-nushur (O Allah! With Your Power, we have come to the evening, by You do we live, by You do we die, and to You is the return)." [At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].
Remembrance of Allah in the Morning and in the Evening
وعنه أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقَ رَضِيَ اللَّه عَنْهُ قَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مُرْنِي بِكَلِمَاتٍ أَقُولُهُنَّ إِذَا أَصْبَحْتُ وَإِذَا أَمْسَيْتُ، قَالَ: قُلِ: "اللَّهُمَّ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، رَبَّ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَمَلِيكَهُ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي وَشَرِّ الشَّيْطَانِ وَشِرْكِهِ" قَالَ: "قُلْهَا إِذَا أَصْبَحْتَ، وَإِذَا أَمْسَيْتَ، وَإِذَا أَخَذْتَ مَضْجَعَكَ". رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ وَقَالَ حَدِيث حَسَن صَحِيح.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Abu Bakr asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Teach me some words so that I may recite them in the morning and in the evening." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Recite these words: 'Allahumma fatiras-samawati wal-ardi, 'alimal-ghaibi wash-shahadati, Rabba kulli shai'in wa malikahu. Ash- hadu an la ilaha illa Anta, a'udhu bika min sharri nafsi, wa sharrish- Shaitani wa shirkihi (O Allah! Creator of the heavens and the earth! Knower of the hidden and the exposed! Rubb of everything and every one. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but You. I seek Your Protection from the evil of my own self from the evil of Satan and from the evil of Shirk to which he calls)."' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) added: "Recite these words in the morning and the evening and when you go to bed." [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].
Remembrance of Allah in the Morning and in the Evening
وَعَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: كَانَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، إِذَا أَمْسَى قَالَ: أَمْسَيْنَا وَأَمْسَى الْمُلْكُ لِلَّهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ" قَالَ الراوي: أُرَاهُ قَالَ فِيهِنَّ: "لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شيء قَدِيرٌ، رَبِّ أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ مَا فِي هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ، وَخَيْرَ مَا بَعْدَهَا، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا فِي هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ وَشَرِّ مَا بَعْدَهَا، رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْكَسَلِ، وَسُوءِ الْكِبَرِ، رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا فِي هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ، وَخَيْرَ مَا بَعْدَهَا، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا فِي هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ وَشَرِّ مَا بَعْدَهَا، رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْكَسَلِ، وَسُوءِ الْكِبَرِ، رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ النَّارِ، وَعَذَابٍ فِي الْقَبْرِ" وَإِذَا أَصْبَحَ قَالَ ذَلِكَ أَيْضًا: "أَصْبَحْنَا وَأَصْبَحَ الْمُلْكُ لِلَّهِ" ((رَوَاهُ مُسْلِم)).
'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When it was evening, the Prophet (ﷺ) used to supplicate: "Amsaina wa amsal-mulku lillah, wal-hamdu lillah. La 'ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu (We have entered upon evening and the whole kingdom of Allah, too, has entered upon evening. Praise is due to Allah. There is none who has the right to be worshiped but Allah, the One who has no partner with Him)." He (the narrator) said: I think that he (ﷺ) used to follow the recitation with these words: "Lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa 'ala kulli shi'in Qadir. Rabbi as'aluka khaira ma fi hadhihil-lailati, wa khaira ma ba'daha; wa a'udhu bika min sharri ma fi hadhihil-lailati, wa sharri ma ba'daha; Rabbi a'udhu bika minal- kasali, wa su'il-kibari; Rabbi a'udhu bika min 'adhabin fin-nari, wa 'adhabin fil-qabri (His is the sovereignty and to Him is all praise due, and He is Omnipotent. My Rubb, I beg of you good that lies in this night and good that follows it, and I seek refuge in You from the evil that lies in this night and from the evil of that which follows it. My Rubb! I seek refuge in You from lethargy and the misery of old age. O Allah! I seek Your Protection from the torment of Hell-fire and the punishment of the grave)." When it was morning, he (ﷺ) would recite the same, replacing the words: "We have entered upon evening and the whole kingdom of Allah, too, has entered upon evening" with "We have entered upon morning and the whole kingdom of Allah entered upon morning." (Replace the words "Amsaina, amsa, hadhihil-lailati, ma ba'daha with Asbahna, asbaha, hadhal-yaumi, ma ba'dahu, respectively.) [Muslim].
Remembrance of Allah in the Morning and in the Evening
وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ خُبيب -بضم الخاء المعجمة- رَضِيَ اللَّه عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ لِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: اقرأ: قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ، وَالْمُعَوِّذَتَيْنِ حِينَ تُمْسِي وَحِينَ تُصْبِحُ، ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ، تَكْفِيكَ مِنْ كُلِّ شيء . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ وَقَالَ حَدِيث حَسَن صَحِيح .
'Abdullah bin Khubaib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, "Recite Surat Al-Ikhlas and Al- Mu'awwidhatain (Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas) three times at dawn and dusk. It will suffice you in all respects." [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].
Remembrance of Allah in the Morning and in the Evening
وَعَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يَقُولُ فِي صَبَاحِ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَمَسَاءِ كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لاَ يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ، ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ، إلا لم يضره شيء . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ وَقَالَ حَدِيث حَسَن صَحِيح .
'Uthman bin 'Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who recites three times every morning and evening: 'Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma'as-mihi shai'un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama'i, wa Huwas-Sami'ul-'Alim (In the Name of Allah with Whose Name there is protection against every kind of harm in the earth or in the heaven, and He is the All-Hearing and All- Knowing),' nothing will harm him." [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].
