Prayers of Blessings and Mercy by the Holy Prophet (sa) in his Favour
Qais bin Sa‘d (ra), the son of Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah, relates, “When the Holy Prophet (sa) came to meet us at our home, he greeted them, saying ‘Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah’ (peace and blessings of Allah be upon you)”, i.e., the Holy Prophet (sa) conveyed his peace to them. Qais (ra) then further narrates, “My father, Sa‘d (ra) replied in a low voice. So I asked him, ‘Will you not call the Holy Prophet (sa) inside?’ Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) answered his son, saying ‘Allow the Holy Prophet (sa) to send down further blessings upon us.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) then greeted them once more before departing.”
That is to say when the Holy Prophet (sa) conveyed his peace, he answered in a low tone so that the Holy Prophet (sa) would once again convey his greetings, and in turn, their home would be blessed again. In any case, he narrates, “The Holy Prophet (sa) departed after saying Salam once more, so Sa‘d (ra) followed behind and said, ‘O Messenger (sa) of Allah, I heard your greetings and answered in a low voice so that you may send down further blessings upon us.’ Hence, the Holy Prophet (sa) returned with Hazrat Sa‘d (ra). Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) then asked the Holy Prophet (sa) if he would like some water to wash, and so he did. Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) then presented the Holy Prophet (sa) with a cloth dyed with saffron or wars, a yellow plant which grows in Yemen, which is used to dye clothes. The Holy Prophet (sa) wrapped it around himself, then raised his hands and prayed, ‘O Allah, send down your blessings and mercy upon the progeny of Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah.’”
(Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 2, pp. 441- 442, Sa‘d bin Ubadah (ra), Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) (Umdatul Qari Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 2, p. 222, Daul Fikr, Beirut)
In relation to this account, the narration of Hazrat Anas (ra) states that once the Holy Prophet (sa) wished to enter the house of Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah and said, “Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah”. Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) replied, “Wa Alaikumus Salam Wa Rahmatullah” in a low voice, which the Holy Prophet (sa) did not hear. The Holy Prophet (sa) then conveyed his Salam three times and each time Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) answered in the same manner, whereby the Holy Prophet (sa) could not hear him. Therefore, the Holy Prophet (sa) returned. Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) then went after the Holy Prophet (sa) and said, “O Messenger (sa) of Allah, may my parents be sacrificed for you, every time you said Salam, I heard it with my own ears and answered in a way whereby you could not hear my voice. My only desire was to receive as much of your prayers and blessings as possible.”
He then brought the Holy Prophet (sa) to his home and presented raisins before him. The Holy Prophet (sa) ate them and said, “May the pious people continue to eat from your home, may the angels send down their merciful prayers and may those observing the fast open their fasts in your home.” i.e. the Holy Prophet (sa) prayed for him.
(Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 4, pp. 356-357, Musnad Anas bin Malik, Hadith 12433, Alamul Kutub, Beirut, 1998)
Allama ibn Sireen states, “When night would descend, the companions (ra) would take one or two people from the Ashaab-e-Suffa to their homes and give them food. Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah would take 80 companions home and feed them.”
(Al-Isabah Fi Tamyeez al-Sahabah, Vol. 3, p. 56, Sa‘d bin Ubadah, Dar-ul-Kutub al Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1995)
In other words, this would be the case on many occasions, however, there are narrations in which it is recorded that there were days in which the Ashab-e-Suffa companions (ra) would remain without food. Nonetheless, the companions (ra) would look after these poorer companions, who would sit near the home of the Holy Prophet (sa). Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah would especially take care of these companions (ra). A year after migrating to Medina, in the month of Safar, the Holy Prophet (sa) set out for Abwah, which is located 23 miles from Juhfa, in the direction of Mecca from Medina. This was also the place where the grave of Hazrat Amina, the mother of the Holy Prophet (sa), was situated. The colour of the Holy Prophet’s (sa) flag was white. On this occasion, the Holy Prophet (sa) appointed Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah as his Amir [representative] in Medina.
(Al-Tabaqaatul-Kubra li ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 2, p. 5, Ghazwatul Abwaa, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) (Atlas Sirat Nabwi (sa), p. 84, Darul Islam, 1424A.H.)