The companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) were always keen that he should pray for them. They realized that his prayers were always answered in the best way they could hope for. They were happy with every good word he said to them or about them. The Prophet was always ready with a good word to say about his companions. He loved them all and he was most happy when a person declared himself a Muslim. It was his love for people that made him so keen that they should realize the truth of Islam and follow divine guidance, because he was certain that it would bring them happiness in this present life and in their life to come.
Perhaps the best example of the Prophet’s companions’ keenness that he should pray for them is provided by Saad ibn Ubadah, the chief of the Khazraj tribe of the Ansar. He was keen that the Prophet would repeat his greetings to him and his family, because the Islamic greeting, ‘assalamu alaikum,’ is a form of prayer requesting God to grant peace to the people being greeted. Once the Prophet went to visit Saad ibn Ubadah and he stood outside his home waiting for permission to enter. He said the full greeting, assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah, which means ‘peace be to you together with God’s mercy.’ Saad replied to the greeting with the same, but he lowered his voice so that the Prophet would not hear him. The Prophet repeated his greeting three times, and Saad replied every time lowering his voice. The Prophet turned back to go away, but Saad followed him and said to him: “Messenger of God! Every time you said your greeting, I replied but in a low voice, hoping that you would repeat it. I wanted to have more of your greetings and the blessings associated with it.” The Prophet went back with him into his home. Saad brought some raisins and the Prophet ate of that. When he finished, he said this prayer: “May good people always eat at your place, and may angels pray for you, and may fasting people break their fast at your place.” (Related by Ahmad, and also by Abu Dawood in a shorter version).
If Saad’s action was done to any of us we may take it as an offense. Imagine yourself standing at the door of a friend and offering a greeting, but your friend leaves you outside, waiting for you to repeat your greeting. He then owns to his deed and tells you that he left you there because he wanted you to say your greeting again. Most likely you will feel offended and you will make your feelings clear asking your friend not to repeat his misdeed again. The Prophet, however, realized that Saad only wanted the blessing of the Prophet’s greeting to include all members of his household and to have more of it.
He realized that the Prophet’s good nature will prevent any ill feelings being entertained by the Prophet. He then caught up with him and offered his hospitality.
The prayer the Prophet said to Saad at the end granted Saad’s wish in the best possible way. The Prophet’s prayer began with, “may good people always eat at your place.” This means that Saad and his family would always be in plenty and their home would be a place of hospitality for good people. Then the Prophet added, “may angels pray for you.” When angels pray for people, these must be good, deserving that angels mention them in their praises of God. Finally the Prophet said, “may fasting people break their fast at your place.” This is a prayer ensuring great blessings, because when you give a meal to a fasting person, you will get a reward similar to his own.
Anas ibn Malik was young when his stepfather, Abu Talhah, brought him to the Prophet and said: “This young lad is a good one, and he will serve you, Messenger of God.” Anas stayed in the Prophet’s service throughout his 10-year stay in Madinah and reported numerous Hadiths. His mother, Umm Sulaym, was a frequent visitor to the Prophet and he always visited her. Anas reports on one such visit that had a great effect on his life: “The Prophet went to Umm Sulaym and she put forward some dates and butter. He said: ‘Put your butter back in its container and put your dates in its plate, for I am fasting today.’ He then stood up in one corner and prayed, but this was not an obligatory prayer. He then prayed for Umm Sulaym and the people in her home. Umm Sulaym said to him: ‘Messenger of God! I have a small but special request.’ When he asked her what was that, she said: ‘Your servant, Anas.’ He prayed for me, leaving nothing of the good things of this world and the life to come without including it in his prayer. He then said: ‘My Lord! Grant him wealth and children and bless him.’ I have grown to be one of the wealthiest among the Ansar. My daughter Umaynah told me at the time when Al-Hajjaj arrived in Basrah that those who had already died from my offspring were more than a hundred and twenty.” (Related by Al-Bukhari)
It should be mentioned that Anas lived long. At the time he mentions, he was over 80 years of age. He must have had several wives giving him many children and these in turn had many children of their own, so as to give him a very large number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Because the Prophet prayed that he would be rich, he was one of the richest among his people, the Ansar.
The Prophet prayed for all people he visited. Anas reports: “The Prophet visited a family of the Ansar and ate at their place. When he wanted to leave, he requested that a corner of the house should be cleaned. He stood on a rug and offered a voluntary prayer before praying for his hosts.” (Related by Al-Bukahri.)
Abdullah ibn Busr reports: “The Prophet visited my father. We brought him food and dates that have just started to ripen. He ate of that. He was then served ripened dates. He ate of these, holding the stones between his two fingers and putting them in front of him. He was then brought a drink and he drank and gave it to the person on his right. As he was about to leave, my father held the rein of his mount and asked him to pray for us. He said: ‘My Lord! Bless whatever provisions You grant them; forgive them and have mercy on them.’” (Related by Muslim.)
