Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 251

The Excellence of Supplicating in one's Absence

باب فضل الدعاء بظهر الغيب

This brief chapter highlights a quiet, generous form of worship: praying for another believer when they are not even there to hear it. Out of sight, with nothing to gain, the supplicant simply wishes good for a brother or sister in faith.

The hadith here add a beautiful encouragement: when you pray for someone in their absence, an angel prays the same good back for you. So this hidden kindness returns to the one who offers it.

Hadith 1494

Abud-Darda' (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أبي الدرداء رضي الله عنه أنه سمع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ ‏ "‏ما من عبد مسلم يدعو لأخيه بظهر الغيب إلا قال الملك ولك بمثل‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "Whenever a Muslim supplicates for his (Muslim) brother in his absence, the angels say: 'May the same be for you too'." [Muslim].

In plain words

When you pray for a fellow Muslim who is not present, an angel asks that the same good come to you. Quiet kindness for others returns to the one who offers it.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1494 In-book reference : Book 16, Hadith 30

Hadith 1495

Abud-Darda' (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يقول‏:‏ ‏ "‏دعوة المرء المسلم لأخيه بظهر الغيب مستجابة، عند رأسه ملك موكل كلما دعا لأخيه بخير قال الملك الموكل به‏:‏ آمين، ولك بمثل‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The supplication of a Muslim for his (Muslim) brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Everytime he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this particular task says: 'A meen! May it be for you, too'." [Muslim].

In plain words

Praying for an absent brother is described as answered, and each time you do, the assigned angel says the same blessing back for you. There is a double gift in praying for others unseen.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1495 In-book reference : Book 16, Hadith 31