"Some poor people came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), the rich pray as we pray, and they fast as we fast, but they have wealth that they give in charity and with which they free slaves.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'If you pray and say SubhanAllah thirty-three times, Al-hamdu-lillah thirty-three times and Alahu Akbar thirty-four times, and La illaha illaAllah ten times, then you will catch up with those who went ahead of you and will go ahead of those who come after you."
Narrated by It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said:
Context
Ibn 'Abbas narrates a moment when the poor approached the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to express their concerns about being unable to compete with the rich in acts of charity. The Prophet (ﷺ) provided them with a solution through specific phrases of remembrance to recite after prayers, assuring them that these acts would elevate their status. This interaction highlights the inclusivity of Islam and the importance of spiritual practices.
Modern Application
In contemporary life, this hadith encourages us to incorporate dhikr into our daily routines, especially after prayers. It serves as a reminder that spiritual practices can bring us closer to Allah, regardless of our material circumstances.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Charity and Good Deeds because it illustrates how spiritual remembrance can serve as a form of charity and good deeds, enabling individuals to connect with Allah.
And he who does not find [a slave] - then a fast for two months consecutively before they touch one another; and he who is unable - then the feeding of sixty poor persons. That is for you to believe [completely] in Allah and His Messenger; and those are the limits [set by] Allah. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.
Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [Allah 's blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] - then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.
This hadith is #1355 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer). It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said:.