2/128. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 766 — Night Prayer Opening Dhikr
The Supplication With Which The Prayer Should Be Started
Night Prayer Opening Dhikr: Ten Takbirs, Praise, and Forgiveness
Sunan Abi Dawud : 766
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 766
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا زَيْدُ بْنُ الْحُبَابِ، أَخْبَرَنِي مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي أَزْهَرُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الْحَرَازِيُّ، عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ حُمَيْدٍ، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ بِأَىِّ شَىْءٍ كَانَ يَفْتَتِحُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قِيَامَ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَتْ لَقَدْ سَأَلْتَنِي عَنْ شَىْءٍ مَا سَأَلَنِي عَنْهُ أَحَدٌ قَبْلَكَ كَانَ إِذَا قَامَ كَبَّرَ عَشْرًا وَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ عَشْرًا وَسَبَّحَ عَشْرًا وَهَلَّلَ عَشْرًا وَاسْتَغْفَرَ عَشْرًا وَقَالَ " اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَاهْدِنِي وَارْزُقْنِي وَعَافِنِي " . وَيَتَعَوَّذُ مِنْ ضِيقِ الْمَقَامِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ . قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَرَوَاهُ خَالِدُ بْنُ مَعْدَانَ عَنْ رَبِيعَةَ الْجُرَشِيِّ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ نَحْوَهُ .
A'isha Narrated from:
Asim ibn Humayd said: I asked Aisha: By what words the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would begin his supererogatory prayer at night? She replied: You ask me about a thing of which no one asked me before you.When he stood up, be uttered the takbir (Allah is most great) ten times, and uttered "Praise be to Allah" ten times, and uttered "Glory be to Allah " ten times, and uttered "There is no god but Allah" ten times, and sought forgiveness ten times, and said: O Allah, forgive me, and guide me, and give me sustenance, and keep me well, and he sought refuge in Allah from the hardship of standing before Allah on the Day of Judgment.Abu Dawud said: This tradition has also been narrated by Khalid b. Ma'dan from Rab'iah al-Jarashi on the authority of 'Aishah.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 766In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 376English translation : Book 3, Hadith 765
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 766
This hadith about night prayer opening dhikr answers a direct question asked to Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her. She said that when the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم stood for the supererogatory prayer at night, he began with repeated remembrance: ten takbirs, ten praises of Allah, ten glorifications, ten declarations of la ilaha illa Allah, and ten requests for forgiveness. He then asked Allah for forgiveness, guidance, sustenance, and well-being. The report also mentions that he sought refuge from the hardship of standing before Allah on the Day of Judgment. The teaching is simple and moving. Night prayer begins with remembering Allah, asking for basic needs, and being mindful of the meeting with Him.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم began night prayer with repeated dhikr.
- The supplication asks for forgiveness, guidance, sustenance, and well-being.
- The report mentions seeking refuge from the hardship of standing on the Day of Judgment.
- Night prayer is shown with both praise and personal need.
