Sunnis Recommend Dedicating 100% of Salat to Muhammad
Last updated
Last updated
TLDR: Sunnis say that if one dedicates 100% of their Salat to the prophet it is better
In an episode of Blogging Theology posted on YouTube on July 31, 2023, Imam Sami Zaharna says that the prophet recommended that one’s Salat, dua, and zikr should be 100% exclusively upon the prophet!
He bases this understanding on the following Hadith.
At-Tufail bin Ubayy bin Ka’b narrated from his father who said: “When a third of the night had passed, the Messenger of Allah(s.a.w) stood and said: ‘O you people! Remember Allah! Remember Allah! The Rajifah is coming, followed by the Radifah, death and what it brings is coming, death and what it brings is coming!'” Ubayy said: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Indeed I say very much Salat for you. How much of my Salat should I make for you?’ He said: ‘As you wish.'” [He said: ] “I said: ‘A fourth?’ He said: ‘As you wish. But if you add more it would be better for you.’ I said: ‘Then half?’ He said: ‘As you wish. And if you add more it would be better [for you].'” [He said: ] “I said: ‘Then two-thirds? ‘He said: ‘As you wish, but if you add more it would be better for you.’ I said: ‘Should I make all of my Salat for you?’ He said: ‘Then your problems would be solved and your sins would be forgiven.'”
حَدَّثَنَا هَنَّادٌ، حَدَّثَنَا قَبِيصَةُ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَقِيلٍ، عَنِ الطُّفَيْلِ بْنِ أُبَىِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا ذَهَبَ ثُلُثَا اللَّيْلِ قَامَ فَقَالَ ” يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ جَاءَتِ الرَّاجِفَةُ تَتْبَعُهَا الرَّادِفَةُ جَاءَ الْمَوْتُ بِمَا فِيهِ جَاءَ الْمَوْتُ بِمَا فِيهِ ” . قَالَ أُبَىٌّ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أُكْثِرُ الصَّلاَةَ عَلَيْكَ فَكَمْ أَجْعَلُ لَكَ مِنْ صَلاَتِي فَقَالَ ” مَا شِئْتَ ” . قَالَ قُلْتُ الرُّبُعَ . قَالَ ” مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنْ زِدْتَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ ” . قُلْتُ النِّصْفَ . قَالَ ” مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنْ زِدْتَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ ” . قَالَ قُلْتُ فَالثُّلُثَيْنِ . قَالَ ” مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنْ زِدْتَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ “ . قُلْتُ أَجْعَلُ لَكَ صَلاَتِي كُلَّهَا . قَالَ ” إِذًا تُكْفَى هَمَّكَ وَيُغْفَرُ لَكَ ذَنْبُكَ ” . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ .
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2457 https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:2457 See also: https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:579, https://sunnah.com/mishkat:929 Ahmad (20736), Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf (8706), ‘Abd ibn Humayd in al-Musnad (170) and al-Bayhaqi in ash-Shu‘ab (1579)
At-Tirmidhi rated this Hadith as Sahih Hasan. It was classed as hasan by al-Mundhiri in at-Targheeb wa’t-Tarheeb, and by al-Haafiz in al-Fath (11/168). In ash-Shu‘ab (2/215), al-Bayhaqi indicated that it is Qawiy (Strong). It was classed as Sahih by al-Albaani in Sahih at-Targheeb (1670) and elsewhere.
Many commentators have argued that there are no issues for one devoting all their Salat to the prophet. For example, the scholar Ibn ‘Allaan al-Bakri had the following to say about this narration:
The reason why one’s concerns will be taken care of if he spends that time sending blessings on the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) is that it involves complying with the command of Allah, may He be exalted, and remembering and venerating Him, and venerating His Messenger. So in fact the worshipper does not miss out on anything by diverting his time to sending blessings upon the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). Rather, by engaging in this great praise of the Prophet he will attain something better than what he had been asking for himself, and in addition to that he will attain the tenfold blessing of Allah and the prayer His angels, in addition to what may be added to that of great reward that cannot be matched by any other. What benefits could be greater than these? How could a worshipper attain anything like it, let alone anything more precious than it? How could his du‘aa’ for himself equal any of these unmatchable virtues?
According to the Hadith and commentary, there are no issues with one dedicating 100% of their worship to the prophet!!
The Quran informs us that when it comes to our worship practices, it must be 100% devoted to God alone. If one thinks they can dedicate even 1%, let alone 100%, of their worship to other than God, then this will nullify all their works.
[6:136] They even set aside a share of GOD’s provisions of crops and livestock, saying, “This share belongs to GOD,” according to their claims, “and this share belongs to our idols.” However, what was set aside for their idols never reached GOD, while the share they set aside for GOD invariably went to their idols. Miserable indeed is their judgment.
وَجَعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ مِمَّا ذَرَأَ مِنَ ٱلْحَرْثِ وَٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ نَصِيبًا فَقَالُوا۟ هَـٰذَا لِلَّهِ بِزَعْمِهِمْ وَهَـٰذَا لِشُرَكَآئِنَا فَمَا كَانَ لِشُرَكَآئِهِمْ فَلَا يَصِلُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ يَصِلُ إِلَىٰ شُرَكَآئِهِمْ سَآءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ
According to the imam, Hadith, and their scholars, such actions are not only okay it is actually better to devote 100% of your Salat to the prophet rather than to God alone, because of the esteemed status of the prophet.
[39:3] Absolutely, the religion shall be devoted to GOD alone. Those who set up idols beside Him say, “We idolize them only to bring us closer to GOD; for they are in a better position!” GOD will judge them regarding their disputes. GOD does not guide such liars, disbelievers.
أَلَا لِلَّهِ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْخَالِصُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ زُلْفَىٰٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ فِى مَا هُمْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى مَنْ هُوَ كَـٰذِبٌ كَفَّارٌ
This goes 100% against the Quran and the principle of strict monotheism. The Quran informs us that all our worship practices should be exclusively devoted to God alone.
[6:162] Say, “My Contact Prayers (Salat), my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to GOD alone, the Lord of the universe.
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
The function of the Salat is to remember God alone and not some other entity beside God.
[20:14] “I am GOD; there is no other god beside Me. You shall worship Me alone, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) to remember Me.
إِنَّنِىٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدْنِى وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِذِكْرِىٓ
The Quran tells us that the true worshipers of God alone are perfectly satisfied with the mention (zikr) of God alone, and it is only the ones who do not believe in the Hereafter are only satisfied when others are mentioned beside God.
[39:45] When GOD ALONE is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion. But when others are mentioned beside Him, they become satisfied.
وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ ٱشْمَأَزَّتْ قُلُوبُ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ
Additionally, the purpose of the Salat is for the commemoration and remembrance (zikr) of God alone.
[62:9] O you who believe, when the Congregational Prayer (Salat Al-Jumu’ah) is announced on Friday, you shall hasten to the commemoration of GOD, and drop all business. This is better for you, if you only knew.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ فَٱسْعَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلْبَيْعَ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
As if this isn’t bad enough, the imam continues by stating that our Salat reaches the prophet and that the prophet gets each person’s supplications. Here are the Hadiths that propagate this lie, and also take note that it claims that the prophet claimed that such invocations upon him should be made on Fridays.:
Narrated Aws ibn Aws: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Among the most excellent of your days is Friday; on it, Adam was created, on it he died, on it the last trumpet will be blown, and on it the shout will be made, so invoke more blessings on me that day, for your blessings will be submitted to me. The people asked: Messenger of Allah, how can it be that our blessings will be submitted to you while your body is decayed? He replied: Allah, the Exalted, has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of Prophets.
حَدَّثَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ بْنِ جَابِرٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الأَشْعَثِ الصَّنْعَانِيِّ، عَنْ أَوْسِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” إِنَّ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ أَيَّامِكُمْ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فِيهِ خُلِقَ آدَمُ وَفِيهِ قُبِضَ وَفِيهِ النَّفْخَةُ وَفِيهِ الصَّعْقَةُ فَأَكْثِرُوا عَلَىَّ مِنَ الصَّلاَةِ فِيهِ فَإِنَّ صَلاَتَكُمْ مَعْرُوضَةٌ عَلَىَّ ” . قَالَ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَكَيْفَ تُعْرَضُ صَلاَتُنَا عَلَيْكَ وَقَدْ أَرِمْتَ يَقُولُونَ بَلِيتَ . فَقَالَ ” إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ حَرَّمَ عَلَى الأَرْضِ أَجْسَادَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ ” .
Sunan Abi Dawud 1047 https://sunnah.com/abudawud:1047
To circumvent this blatant contradiction, he continues with another lie pulled from the Hadith, that the prophet is not dead but alive in his grave.
This, again, completely contradicts the Quran that once the messengers die, they are totally oblivious to what takes place in this world.
[5:109] The day will come when GOD will summon the messengers and ask them, “How was the response to you?” They will say, “We have no knowledge. You are the Knower of all secrets.”
يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرُّسُلَ فَيَقُولُ مَاذَآ أُجِبْتُمْ قَالُوا۟ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَآ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلَّـٰمُ ٱلْغُيُوبِ
The Imam tops his blasphemies by stating that we should praise and glorify the prophet!! Clearly, this person is so unfamiliar with the Quran that he doesn’t realize that it repeatedly states that only God alone is worthy of all praise and glorification.
[64:1] Glorifying GOD is everything in the heavens and everything on earth. To Him belongs all kingship, and to Him belongs all praise, and He is Omnipotent.
يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
[72:18] The places of worship belong to GOD; do not call on anyone else beside GOD. [72:19] When GOD’s servant advocated Him alone, almost all of them banded together to oppose him. [72:20] Say, “I call only my Lord; I never set up any idols besides Him.“
وَأَنَّ ٱلْمَسَـٰجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ أَحَدًا
وَأَنَّهُۥ لَمَّا قَامَ عَبْدُ ٱللَّهِ يَدْعُوهُ كَادُوا۟ يَكُونُونَ عَلَيْهِ لِبَدًا
قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَدْعُوا۟ رَبِّى وَلَآ أُشْرِكُ بِهِۦٓ أَحَدًا
