2/134. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 792 — Asking for Paradise in Prayer
What Has Been Narrated Concerning The Deficiency Of The Prayer
Dua for Jannah and Protection from Hell in Prayer
Sunan Abi Dawud : 792
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 792
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 " .
Narrated Some Companions of the Prophet: 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).
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 792In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 402English translation : Book 3, Hadith 792
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 792
This hadith teaches that simple dua in prayer can carry deep meaning. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم asked a man what he said in prayer. The man replied that he recited tashahhud, then asked Allah for Paradise and sought refuge in Him from Hell-Fire. He also said he did not understand the sound or wording used by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and Mu'adh. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم answered that they also went around the same matter, meaning Paradise and Hell-Fire. This hadith is comforting for people who feel their words are simple. It shows that asking for Jannah and seeking protection from Hell are central requests in prayer. The focus is not on fancy wording, but on sincere needs before Allah.
What we learn from this hadith
- A person may ask Allah for Paradise in prayer.
- A person may seek refuge in Allah from Hell-Fire.
- Simple words can carry the same main request.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم acknowledged the meaning behind the man's dua.
