2/128. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 764 — Opening Prayer and Seeking Refuge
The Supplication With Which The Prayer Should Be Started
Opening Dua in Salah: Praise Allah and Seek Refuge from Shaytan
Sunan Abi Dawud : 764
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 764
حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ مَرْزُوقٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مُرَّةَ، عَنْ عَاصِمٍ الْعَنَزِيِّ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ مُطْعِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّهُ رَأَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي صَلاَةً قَالَ عَمْرٌو لاَ أَدْرِي أَىَّ صَلاَةٍ هِيَ فَقَالَ " اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ كَبِيرًا اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ كَبِيرًا اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ كَبِيرًا وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ كَثِيرًا وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ كَثِيرًا وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ كَثِيرًا وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلاً " . ثَلاَثًا " أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ مِنْ نَفْخِهِ وَنَفْثِهِ وَهَمْزِهِ " . قَالَ نَفْثُهُ الشِّعْرُ وَنَفْخُهُ الْكِبْرُ وَهَمْزُهُ الْمُوتَةُ .
Jubair bin Mut'im Narrated from:
Jabir saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observing prayer. (The narrator Amr said: I do not know which prayer he was offering.) He (the Prophet) said: Allah is altogether great; Allah is altogether great; Allah is altogether great; and praise be to Allah in abundance; and praise be to Allah is abundance; and praise be to Allah in abundance. Glory be to Allah in the morning and after (saying it three times). I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil, from his puffing up (nafkh), his spitting (nafth) and his evil suggestion (hamz). He (Amr) said: His nafth it poetry, his nafkh is pride, and his hamz is madness.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 764In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 374English translation : Book 3, Hadith 763
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 764
This hadith about the opening dua in salah describes the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saying repeated words of greatness, praise, and glorification in prayer. The words include Allah is altogether great, praise be to Allah in abundance, and glory be to Allah in the morning and after. The narration then mentions seeking refuge in Allah from the accursed devil, including his nafkh, nafth, and hamz. The report itself explains these words: nafth is poetry, nafkh is pride, and hamz is madness. The meaning stays close to the prayer text. Before recitation, the worshipper turns to Allah with praise and asks for protection from the influence of Satan. It is a clear example of starting prayer with remembrance and refuge.
What we learn from this hadith
- The opening of prayer may include praise, glorification, and takbir.
- Seeking refuge in Allah before recitation is mentioned in this report.
- The narration explains nafth as poetry, nafkh as pride, and hamz as madness.
- The words show dependence on Allah before continuing the prayer.
