34/9. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 3857 — Asking by Allah the One
The Greatest Name Of Allah
Asking Allah by His Oneness: A Dua Linked to Ism al-Azam
Sunan Ibn Majah : 3857
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 3857
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ مِغْوَلٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَهُ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ بُرَيْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ سَمِعَ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ رَجُلاً يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِأَنَّكَ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ الأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ الَّذِي لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " لَقَدْ سَأَلَ اللَّهَ بِاسْمِهِ الأَعْظَمِ الَّذِي إِذَا سُئِلَ بِهِ أَعْطَى وَإِذَا دُعِيَ بِهِ أَجَابَ " .
'Abdullah bin Buraidah Narrated from:
The Prophet (saas) heard a man say: 'Allahumma! Inni as'aluka bi-annaka Antallahul-Ahadus-Samad, alladhi lam yalid wa lam yuwlud, wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad (O Allah! I ask You by virtue of Your being Allah, the One, the Self-Sufficient Master, Who begets not nor was begotten, and there is none co-equal or comparable to Him).' The Messenger of Allah (saas) said: 'He has asked Allah by His Greatest Name, which if He is asked thereby He gives, and if He is called upon thereby He answers.'
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 3857In-book reference : Book 34, Hadith 31English translation : Vol. 5, Book 34, Hadith 3857
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 3857
This Hadith describes a man making dua by affirming Allah as the One, the Self-Sufficient Master, who does not beget, was not begotten, and has no equal. The Prophet heard him and said that he had asked Allah by His Greatest Name, which, if Allah is asked by it, He gives, and if called upon by it, He answers. The core topic is tawhid in dua. The wording shows that praise and belief in Allah’s oneness can be part of supplication. The explanation should stay close to the text: this specific wording was praised by the Prophet as asking by Allah’s Greatest Name. It is a strong reminder to begin dua with clear faith.
What we learn from this hadith
- Affirm Allah’s oneness when making dua.
- The man’s wording was praised by the Prophet.
- Allah has no equal or comparable one.
- Supplication can include praise before asking.
