The Benefits of Praying for Others

Prayer is an integral part of many religions, and for Muslims, it is one of the five pillars of their faith. But prayer isn’t just about asking for what we need or want for ourselves. It can also be a selfless act of love, as demonstrated by the Prophet Muhammad’s example of praying for others.

According to the hadith, “There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother in his absence that the angels do not say: ‘The same be for you too'” (Muslim, Dhikr 86; Abu Dawud, Witr 29). In other words, when we pray for others, the angels join in and make the same prayer for us. This shows the power of prayer and the importance of interceding on behalf of others.

But the benefits of praying for others go beyond just receiving blessings in return. In the Quran, Allah says, “And establish prayer for My remembrance” (Surah Ta-Ha 20:14). Praying is a way to remember Allah and cultivate a closer relationship with Him. When we pray for others, we are also taking the time to focus on our own spirituality and connect with the Divine.

In addition, praying for others can help to strengthen the bonds between believers and foster a sense of community. The Prophet Muhammad said, “The example of the believers in their love, mercy, and compassion for one another is like that of the body: when any part of the body suffers, the whole body feels pain” (Abu Nuaym, Hilya, II, 34). This illustrates the idea that as Muslims, we are all connected and should support and care for each other.

Praying for others is also a way to demonstrate the reality of our faith and our love for our fellow believers. The Prophet Muhammad said, “If a Muslim supplicates for his brother in religion in his absence, his prayer is accepted” (Muslim, Dhikr 87,88; Ibn Majah, Manasik 5). When we pray for others, we are showing that we care about their well-being and want the best for them, just as we would for ourselves.

It is also important to note that the best prayers are those that are made with pure intentions, without any desire for show or recognition. The Prophet Muhammad said, “It is more acceptable in the eye of Allah to pray for a Muslim in a way that he will not hear since it will be free from hypocrisy and show off” (Tirmidhi, Daawat 110; Abu Dawud, Witr 23; Ibn Majah, Manasik 5). When we pray for others in secret, it demonstrates the sincerity of our intentions and our desire to help others for the sake of Allah, rather than seeking any personal gain.

In conclusion, praying for others is an act of love and compassion that can benefit us and our loved ones in many ways. It helps us to connect with Allah, strengthen the bonds between believers, and demonstrate the reality of our faith. So the next time you find yourself in need of prayer, don’t forget to include your loved ones and ask for blessings for them as well.