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Praying for one another- A highest form of love

 


The greatest gift that one can give to others is to pray for them. It’s a beautiful gift; the highest form of respect and care. A prayer said on behalf of a person in his absence is described as "saying prayers with a sinless tongue". And such a prayer is readily accepted. 

     A hadith mentioning how important it is for a believer to supplicate for others says: “There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother in his absence that the angels do not say: ‘The same be for you too’. The angels make du`a for the one who makes du`a for others.

     Just as one makes dua for himself and seek Allah’s aid for his own affairs, supplicating for his brothers is also very important. Such a person is bound to attain the reality of faith since he loves for his brother the good that he loves for himself. “If a Muslim supplicates for his brother in religion in his absence, his prayer is accepted. As he supplicates, the angel commissioned for carrying supplication to his Lord says: ‘Ameen’ And it is for you also’. The example of the believers in their love, mercy and compassion for one another is like that of the body: when any part of the body suffers, the whole body feels pain. This is how a believer is to another believer.  

     Anas bin Malik states that they prayed for each other as follows at night: "May Allah grant you the prayer (salah) of good people who worship at night, fast during the day and do not commit sins." It depicts the importance Allah gives to the prayers believers say for one another.  It pleases Allah Almighty when believers love one another, wish goodness and happiness for one another and pray for one another. He rewards those men who are so considerate as to think of others. When a person wishes goodness for his brother in religion or prays for him so that his trouble will be removed, the angel commissioned for carrying supplication to his Lord says: “Ameen!” That is, “May Allah accept your prayer!” Then, he says, “May what you ask for your brother be given to you too!” It is more acceptable in the eye of Allah to pray for a Muslim in a way that he will not hear since it will be free from hypocrisy and show off. Such a prayer is a depiction of magnanimity, solicitousness and sincerity with the fellow men. Those who develop a habit of praying for others, may never need to pray for own selves. This is because they take care of what is between them and Allah, so Allah then takes care of what is between them and people.

      Another incident narrated by Hazrat Umar (RA) regarding the issue is very important: I asked permission from the Prophet (Pbuh) to perform Umrah. He gave me permission and said, “My dear brother! Do not forget to pray for me too!” I became so happy when I heard it. I would not be happier even if I were given the whole world. According to another narration, he said, “My dear brother! Include us in your prayer!” So one should wish happiness and pray for his Muslim brothers. When one does good for others, it comes back in unexpected and unimaginable ways. The one who wants good for others, end up being blessed himself. Thus one should strive to cultivate a good heart and purify his intentions. The finest moments in one’s life will be those where he would have done good things to nameless people without expecting them to remember his acts of love and kindness.

     Praying for others is a selfless act of love. Nothing proves that one loves someone more than mentioning them in their prayers. When one prays for others, Allah listens and blesses them. So when one feels safe and happy, he shouldn’t forget that it’s because someone has prayed for him.

 

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