The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) was always in search of new ways of offering gratitude. He not only offered thanks for the favours, blessings and success, he was also grateful for being safe from vicissitudes of the fortune and safety from trials. He would feel the pain for the afflicted ones and was at the same time thankful to God for being free from such an affliction. He would pray, ‘Praise belongs to Allah Who saved us from this affliction, bestowed health upon us and made us better than most of His creation.’
Ummul-Mu’minin Hazrat Juwairiyah (ra) relates one of the novel ways in which the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) praised the Lord. She quotes, ‘Once he passed nearby while I was offering prayer. On his return the sun was quite high in the sky and I was still engaged in remembrance of Allah. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) said, “Since I have passed by you, I have recited four phrases three times each and these words carry a higher reward than your citations. ”He told me the words
سُبْحَـانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْـدِهِ عَدَدَ خَلْـقِهِ ، سُبْحَـانَ اللهِ رِضَـا نَفْسِـهِ
سُبْحَـانَ اللهِ زِنَـةَ عَـرْشِـهِ ، سُبْحَـانَ اللهِ مِـدَادَ كَلِمَـاتِـهِ
“Holy is Allah as much as number of His creations; Holy is Allah, to the extent, He likes for Himself; Holy is Allah, as much as the weight of His throne (which is limitless). Holy is Allah, as much as the ink of His words. ”’
In one of his supplications, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) prayed to his Lord, ‘Your light is perfect, You have guided us. All praise belongs to You. Your forbearance is immense. You bestow pardon. So perfect praise belongs to You alone. You are generous, You have bestowed everything, so the perfect praise befits You only. O our Lord! Your countenance is the most honourable, Your dignity the most high. The good things that You bestow are the best and the most pleasant. O our Lord! When obeisance is made to You, You appreciate it. Even If disobedience is shown to You, Your generosity does not decline. You listen to the supplications of the helpless and wretched and remove their affliction. You bestow healing on the ailing. You forgive sins and accept repentance. There is no one who can pay You back for the favours. No eulogist has the capacity to praise You to the full extent.’
God was very pleased with these songs of praise and adoration and decreed that on the Day of Judgment when everyone would be worried about himself alone and searching for shelter, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) would be raised to ‘Maqam-e-Mahmud’ (praiseworthy station). He would be given this status as he praised Allah the most.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (sa) name ‘Ahmad’ would be glorified and he would be taught new ways of praise and tutored in new words for Allah’s praise. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) would prostrate and praise Allah and in response Allah would say, ‘O Muhammad, whatever you ask today, shall be given to you.’ Then he would intercede for his ummah. This would be the greatest blessing given to him.
Muhammad (sa)–The Perfect Man (Qadian, India: Nazarat Isha’at, 2015),113-115.
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