Imam Ibn Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
Ubayy bin Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that: “When
two-thirds of the night would pass, the Messenger of Allah would get up and
call out, ‘O people, remember Allah. The raajifah
(i.e. the first blowing of the Trumpet which will shake the whole universe
and thus cause all life to cease) has come, followed by Ar-Raadifah (i.e. the second blowing of the Trumpet which will
restore life and thus mark the Resurrection Day). Death has approached with all
that it comprises. Death has approached with all that it comprises.” I said: “O
Messenger of Allah, I frequently invoke Allah to exalt your mention! How much
of my supplications should I devote to you?” He said, “You may devote as much
as you wish.”
When I suggested a quarter, he said, “Do whatever you wish, but it will
be better for you if you increase it.” I suggested a half, and he said, “Do
whatever you wish, but it will be better for you if you increase it.” I
suggested two-thirds, and he said, “Do whatever you wish but it will be better
for you if you increase it.” I said, “Shall I devote all my supplications
invoking Allah to exalt your mention?” He said, ‘Then you will be freed from your worries and your sins will be
forgiven.” This hadeeth was recorded by at-Tirmidhee, Imam
Ahmad in al-Musnad and al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak; at-Tirmidhee said it is sound
and authentic hadeeth.[1]
Abdullaah
bin Muhammad bin ‘Aqeel is relied upon for evidence by great scholars like
al-Hamaydee, Ahmad, Ishaaq and others. And at-Tirmidhee would sometimes
classify this version authentic and at other times he graded it sound. Our
Shaykh, Abul-Abbaas was asked concerning the meaning of this hadeeth and he
said: “Ubayy bin Ka’b had a supplication which he used to supplicate for
himself, so he asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) whether
he should devote a quarter of it invoking Allah to exalt his mention.
Then the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘It will be better for
you if you increase it.’ He said: ‘Half’ and the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him) said, ‘It will be better for you if you increase it’ till
he enquired: ‘Shall I devote all my supplications
invoking Allah to exalt your mention?’ He answered, ‘Then you will be freed from your worries and your sins
will be forgiven.’ This is because whoever sends one Salaah upon the Prophet, Allah will send
ten upon him, and anyone Allah sends Salaah
upon, He relieves him of his worries and forgives his sins. This is the meaning
of his words, may Allah be pleased with him.”
Source: Jalaa
al-Afhaam fee as-Salaah was-Salaam ‘alaa Khayr al-Anaam by Imaam Ibn Qayyim,
transl. by Abdus-Samee Abdus-Salaam
[1] Recorded by at-Tirmidhee (2457),
Ahmad and al-Haakim who classified it authentic and Adh-Dhahabee agreed
