Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 319

About Begging in the Name of Allah

باب كراهة أن يسأل الإنسان بوجه الله عز وجل غير الجنة وكراهة منع من سأل بالله تعالى وتشفع به

The name of Allah is weighty, and these narrations teach us to honour that weight in two directions. First, we should not ask 'by the Face of Allah' for trivial worldly things; that supreme appeal is reserved for the greatest request, Paradise itself. Second, when someone does invoke Allah's name to ask us for help or shelter, we are urged to respond.

Read together, the two hadith form a courtesy of the heart: keep the most sacred form of asking for the most sacred goal, and when others come to you in that name, meet them with generosity, gratitude, and prayer. This chapter is about reverence for Allah's name and the kindness it should awaken between people.

Hadith 1722

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

عن جابر رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏ "‏لا يسأل بوجه الله إلا الجنة‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه أبو داود‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "No one should ask in the Face of Allah for anything except Jannah." [Abu Dawud].

In plain words

One should not ask 'by the Face of Allah' for ordinary worldly things; that most sacred form of asking is reserved for the greatest request, Paradise itself.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1722 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 212

Hadith 1723

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said:

وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏ "‏من استعاذ بالله فأعيذوه، ومن سأل بالله، فأعطوه، ومن دعاكم فأجيبوه، ومن صنع إليكم معروفًا فكافئوه، فإن لم تجدوا ما تكافئونه به، فادعوا له حتى تروا أنكم قد كافأتموه‏" ‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏حديث صحيح رواه أبو داود والنسائي بأسانيد الصحيحين‏)‏‏)‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Grant shelter to him who begs for it in the Name of Allah, give to him who begs in the Name of Allah, accept the invitation of him who invites you, and requite him who does a favour to you, but if you are unable to requite him, go on praying for him till you are sure that you have requited him adequately." [Abu Dawud and An- Nasa'i].

In plain words

When someone asks of you in Allah's name, give to them and grant them shelter; accept invitations, and repay kindness, or keep praying for the person until you feel you have repaid them. Honour Allah's name with generosity.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1723 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 213