The intended meaning of dedicating all one's prayers to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)
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Question:
I read a hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) narrated by Abu ibn Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him), in which he said: "I said: O Messenger of Allah! I offer a great deal of prayer, so how much of my prayer should I dedicate to you? He said: Whatever you wish. I said: A quarter? He said: Whatever you wish, and if you increase it, it is better for you. I said: A third? He said: Whatever you wish, and if you increase it, it is better for you. I said: Half? He said: Whatever you wish, and if you increase it, it is better for you. I said: Should I dedicate all my prayer to you? He said: Then He will suffice you in your concerns and forgive your sins." Is this hadith authentic in this wording? What is its meaning? And what is the intended meaning of dedicating prayer to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)?
Answer:
This hadith was narrated by Ahmad, al-Tirmidhi, and others. Al-Tirmidhi said it is a good, authentic hadith. The term "prayer" here refers to supplication. Abu ibn Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him) used to make much supplication. The meaning of the hadith is that he asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) whether he should dedicate a quarter, half, or all of his supplication as prayer upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), meaning he would replace the supplication he used to make with prayer upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed him that if he dedicated all his supplication as prayer upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), Allah would suffice him in his concerns and forgive his sins. This is because whoever prays upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once, Allah prays upon him ten times in return. And whoever prays upon Allah, He suffices him in his concerns and forgives his sins. Thus, this hadith highlights the virtue of frequently offering prayer upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
I read a hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) narrated by Abu ibn Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him), in which he said: "I said: O Messenger of Allah! I offer a great deal of prayer, so how much of my prayer should I dedicate to you? He said: Whatever you wish. I said: A quarter? He said: Whatever you wish, and if you increase it, it is better for you. I said: A third? He said: Whatever you wish, and if you increase it, it is better for you. I said: Half? He said: Whatever you wish, and if you increase it, it is better for you. I said: Should I dedicate all my prayer to you? He said: Then He will suffice you in your concerns and forgive your sins." Is this hadith authentic in this wording? What is its meaning? And what is the intended meaning of dedicating prayer to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)?
Answer:
This hadith was narrated by Ahmad, al-Tirmidhi, and others. Al-Tirmidhi said it is a good, authentic hadith. The term "prayer" here refers to supplication. Abu ibn Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him) used to make much supplication. The meaning of the hadith is that he asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) whether he should dedicate a quarter, half, or all of his supplication as prayer upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), meaning he would replace the supplication he used to make with prayer upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed him that if he dedicated all his supplication as prayer upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), Allah would suffice him in his concerns and forgive his sins. This is because whoever prays upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once, Allah prays upon him ten times in return. And whoever prays upon Allah, He suffices him in his concerns and forgives his sins. Thus, this hadith highlights the virtue of frequently offering prayer upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Source
www.alfawzan.af.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.