What is the ruling on making an exception in supplication for others, and does this include what was reported in the supplication for the sick: “A purification, if Allah wills”?
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The questioner : O Shaykh, may Allah reward you. What is the ruling on making an exception in supplication for others?
The Shaykh : An example?
The questioner : For example, “May Allah forgive you, if Allah wills,” or “May Allah guide you, if Allah wills”?
The Shaykh : Or do you say: “O Allah, forgive me, if Allah wills”?
The questioner : O Allah, forgive me, if Allah wills. And is that included in the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) to the sick person:Sahih al-Bukhari 5662?
The Shaykh : As for the supplicant saying, “O Allah, forgive me if You will, O Allah, have mercy on me if You will,” that is forbidden. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) prohibited it. As for saying “if Allah wills,” it is of a lower rank, but it is not recommended.
As for the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih al-Bukhari 5662, this is a matter of hope. This is because the illness of the sick person may be a purification for him, or it may not be. If this sick person did not have patience and his heart was filled with dissatisfaction with Allah (Mighty and Majestic), it would not become a purification. So “if Allah wills” is a matter of hope, meaning I ask Allah that it may be a purification for you if you have patience and seek reward from Him.
The questioner : Even in supplication for others, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : And who is the “other”?
The questioner : I mean, if the supplication is...?
The Shaykh : “May Allah forgive you, if Allah wills”?
The questioner : Yes, exactly.
The Shaykh : No, do not say it that way. For a thing whose benefit is known, do not say “if Allah wills,” because Allah does not do it except by His will. So if you qualify it with His will, it implies that you are independent of your Lord (Mighty and Majestic).
The Shaykh : An example?
The questioner : For example, “May Allah forgive you, if Allah wills,” or “May Allah guide you, if Allah wills”?
The Shaykh : Or do you say: “O Allah, forgive me, if Allah wills”?
The questioner : O Allah, forgive me, if Allah wills. And is that included in the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) to the sick person:
an expiation for your sins
طهور إن شاء اللهThe Shaykh : As for the supplicant saying, “O Allah, forgive me if You will, O Allah, have mercy on me if You will,” that is forbidden. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) prohibited it. As for saying “if Allah wills,” it is of a lower rank, but it is not recommended.
As for the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him):
Don't worry, Allah willing, (your sickness will be) an expiation for your sins.
لا بأس طهور إن شاء اللهThe questioner : Even in supplication for others, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : And who is the “other”?
The questioner : I mean, if the supplication is...?
The Shaykh : “May Allah forgive you, if Allah wills”?
The questioner : Yes, exactly.
The Shaykh : No, do not say it that way. For a thing whose benefit is known, do not say “if Allah wills,” because Allah does not do it except by His will. So if you qualify it with His will, it implies that you are independent of your Lord (Mighty and Majestic).