THE DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yawm Al-Khamis. 2nd day of Jumaadal Awwal, 1445AH (Thursday, 16th November, 2023). PRAYING FOR OUR ENEMIES. BismilLah. 

It was the practice of the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam to supplicate and pray to ALLAH to guide his enemies of Islam and to benefit them in the Hereafter. Islam teaches us to love for others what we love for ourselves. Each one of us wants to be guided and, therefore, we should ask ALLAH to guide others even if they are unbelievers, sinners, or oppressors. Islam is a beautiful religion and only teaches what's right. 

We should supplicate for guidance and forgiveness for people in general. It is the essence of ALLAH to be forgiving and mericful, and the Angels roam the earth seeking forgiveness for everyone upon it. By expressing mercy and forgiveness in our supplications, we fulfill ALLAH’s plan for the creation.

ALLAH says:

وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ أَلَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

The angels exalt the praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth. No doubt, ALLAH is the Forgiving, the Merciful. Surat al-Shura 42:5

It was the practice of all of the Prophets to supplicate for their oppressors, although they suffered bodily harm and pain at their hands.

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud may ALLAH be pleased with him reported: I saw the Messenger of ALLAH, peace and blessings be upon him, tell the story of a prophet who was beaten by his people and he wiped the blood from his face, saying:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِقَوْمِي فَإِنَّهُمْ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ

My Lord, forgive my people for they do not know. This is in Saheeh Bukhari. 

In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ himself said this prayer after being attacked and harmed during the battle of Uhud:

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِقَوْمِي فَإِنَّهُمْ لا يَعْلَمُونَ

O ALLAH, forgive my people for they do not know. Abu Hatim, may ALLAH be pleased with him, said:

يَعْنِي هَذَا الدُّعَاءُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ لَمَّا شُجَّ وَجْهُهُ

The Prophet said this supplication during the battle of Uhud when they slashed his face. 

This incident demonstrates the Prophet’s strict adherence to ethical virtues despite enduring persecution at the hands of unbelievers.

Imam An-Nawawi comments on this tradition, saying:

فِيهِ مَا كَانُوا عَلَيْهِ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ وَسَلَامُهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ الْحِلْمِ وَالتَّصَبُّرِ وَالْعَفْوِ وَالشَّفَقَةِ عَلَى قَوْمِهِمْ وَدُعَائِهِمْ لَهُمْ بِالْهِدَايَةِ وَالْغُفْرَانِ وَعُذْرِهِمْ فِي جِنَايَتِهِمْ عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ بِأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

In this tradition is what the Prophet practiced of forbearance, patience, forgiveness, and compassion for his people, his supplication for them to receive guidance and to be forgiven, and for them to be excused for their sins as they did not know. Saheeh Muslim 1792. May ALLAH keep guiding us all and protect us from any satanic influences. Aameen.