If the Prophet approved a Companion's action, is it obligatory or recommended?
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The questioner : May Allah preserve you, O Shaykh. Does the approval of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) of a Companion indicate recommendation or obligation? This is regarding the Companion's saying in the opening supplication of prayer: "Allah is the Greatest, the Great; praise be to Allah, much praise; and glory be to Allah, morning and evening." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih Muslim 601 So, is this said in the opening supplication?
The Shaykh : If the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) approved someone's performance of an act of worship, and it was part of his guidance, then it is recommended. If it was not part of his guidance but he approved it, then it falls under the category of what is permissible, such that if a person does it, he is not criticized. For example, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) sent a man on a military expedition, and whenever he prayed, he would conclude his recitation with "Say: He is Allah, the One" (Qul huwa Allahu ahad). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was informed of this and approved it. However, this is not part of the Sunnah, because if it had been part of the Sunnah, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) would have done it.
It (its utterance) surprised me, for the doors of heaven were opened for It.
عجبت لها، فتحت لها أبواب السماءThe Shaykh : If the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) approved someone's performance of an act of worship, and it was part of his guidance, then it is recommended. If it was not part of his guidance but he approved it, then it falls under the category of what is permissible, such that if a person does it, he is not criticized. For example, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) sent a man on a military expedition, and whenever he prayed, he would conclude his recitation with "Say: He is Allah, the One" (Qul huwa Allahu ahad). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was informed of this and approved it. However, this is not part of the Sunnah, because if it had been part of the Sunnah, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) would have done it.