Sunan Abu Dawud #792

Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat)
Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ زَائِدَةَ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ بَعْضِ، أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِرَجُلٍ ‏"‏ كَيْفَ تَقُولُ فِي الصَّلاَةِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَتَشَهَّدُ وَأَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ أَمَا إِنِّي لاَ أُحْسِنُ دَنْدَنَتَكَ وَلاَ دَنْدَنَةَ مُعَاذٍ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ حَوْلَهَا نُدَنْدِنُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏
AbuSalih reported on the authority of some Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ): The Prophet (ﷺ) said to a person: what do you say in prayer? He replied: I first recite tashahhud (supplication recited in sitting position), and then I say: O Allah, I ask Thee for Paradise, and I seek refuge in Thee from Hell-Fire, but I do not understand your sound and the sound of Mu'adh (what you say or he says in prayer). The Prophet (ﷺ) said: We too go around it (paradise and Hell-fire).
Narrated by Narrated Some Companions of the Prophet:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) engages in a conversation with a man about the supplications made during prayer. The man expresses his inability to recite as beautifully as the Prophet or Mu'adh, to which the Prophet (ﷺ) responds that they too focus on the essence of their prayers. This highlights the importance of intention and sincerity in worship.

Modern Application

Today, many individuals may feel intimidated by the eloquence of others in prayer. This hadith reassures believers that sincerity and personal connection to God are what truly matter, encouraging everyone to engage in prayer in their own way, regardless of their recitation skills.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Prophetic Conduct because it emphasizes the significance of personal supplication in prayer and the Prophet's (ﷺ) encouragement of sincerity over perfection in worship.

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But among them is he who says, "Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire."
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It was said, "Enter Paradise." He said, "I wish my people could know

Common Words

49 total43 unique4 repeated
قال4x
من2x
فى2x
حسنة2x
هل1x
يسمعونكم1x
إذ1x
تدعون1x
ومنهم1x
يقول1x
ربنا1x
ءاتنا1x
ٱلدنيا1x
وفى1x
ٱلءاخرة1x
وقنا1x
عذاب1x
ٱلنار1x
معاذ1x
ٱلله1x
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About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #792 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Some Companions of the Prophet:.

About This Hadith