What is the ruling on a Muslim asking his Muslim brother to pray for him in his absence, given that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged the Companions to ask Uwais for supplication, and did
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
May Allah guide you and protect you, esteemed Shaykh: What is the ruling on a Muslim asking his Muslim brother, from whom he expects good, or who is going on Hajj or another journey, to pray for him in his absence, or even if he is staying in his home? This is because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), the most noble of messengers (peace and blessings be upon him), praised Uwais and encouraged the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to ask him to pray for them? Did Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah dislike this and limit the hadith to Uwais? Please inform us, may Allah guide you.
The Shaykh : Asking a man whose response is expected, either because of his righteousness or because he is going to places where the response to supplication is expected, such as travel, Hajj, 'Umrah, or the like, is originally permissible. However, if there is a concern to be feared from it, such as fearing that the one asking will rely on the supplication of the one asked, and become constantly dependent on others in what he asks of his Lord, or fearing that the one asked will become proud of himself and think he has reached a level where people ask him for supplication, leading to arrogance, then this is prohibited because it contains a concern.
As for when it does not contain a concern, the original ruling is permissibility. However, we say that it is not recommended, because it was not the custom of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to advise one another to pray for each other. As for what is narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to 'Umar:, it is weak and not authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
As for some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asking the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), it is known that no one reaches the rank of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Otherwise, Thabit ibn Qays ibn Shammās had asked him, and 'Ukashah ibn Mihsan had asked him to ask Allah to make him among those who enter Paradise without reckoning or punishment, and he said:. And a man entered asking him to ask Allah for rain for them, and he did so.
As for the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) advice to the Companions to ask Uwais al-Qarani to pray for them, there is no doubt that this was specific to him. Otherwise, it is known that Uwais was not like Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, or Ali, or any of the other Companions. Yet the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not advise any of his Companions to ask one of them to pray for him.
In summary, we say that there is no harm in asking for supplication from one whose response is expected, provided that it does not involve a concern. However, leaving it off is better and more appropriate.
May Allah guide you and protect you, esteemed Shaykh: What is the ruling on a Muslim asking his Muslim brother, from whom he expects good, or who is going on Hajj or another journey, to pray for him in his absence, or even if he is staying in his home? This is because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), the most noble of messengers (peace and blessings be upon him), praised Uwais and encouraged the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to ask him to pray for them? Did Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah dislike this and limit the hadith to Uwais? Please inform us, may Allah guide you.
The Shaykh : Asking a man whose response is expected, either because of his righteousness or because he is going to places where the response to supplication is expected, such as travel, Hajj, 'Umrah, or the like, is originally permissible. However, if there is a concern to be feared from it, such as fearing that the one asking will rely on the supplication of the one asked, and become constantly dependent on others in what he asks of his Lord, or fearing that the one asked will become proud of himself and think he has reached a level where people ask him for supplication, leading to arrogance, then this is prohibited because it contains a concern.
As for when it does not contain a concern, the original ruling is permissibility. However, we say that it is not recommended, because it was not the custom of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to advise one another to pray for each other. As for what is narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to 'Umar:
Do not forget us, my brother, or my sister, in your good supplication.
لا تنسنا يا أخي أو يا أُخَيّ من صالح دعائكAs for some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asking the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), it is known that no one reaches the rank of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Otherwise, Thabit ibn Qays ibn Shammās had asked him, and 'Ukashah ibn Mihsan had asked him to ask Allah to make him among those who enter Paradise without reckoning or punishment, and he said:
You are among them.
أنت منهمAs for the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) advice to the Companions to ask Uwais al-Qarani to pray for them, there is no doubt that this was specific to him. Otherwise, it is known that Uwais was not like Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, or Ali, or any of the other Companions. Yet the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not advise any of his Companions to ask one of them to pray for him.
In summary, we say that there is no harm in asking for supplication from one whose response is expected, provided that it does not involve a concern. However, leaving it off is better and more appropriate.