Acceptance of Prayers
This narration is mentioned in both Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, but the details of the prayer are not mentioned. However, Imam Tirmidhi has recorded the details of the prayer under the virtues of Hazrat Sa‘d (ra). In this narration, Hazrat Sa‘d’s son, Qais narrates:
“My father used to say that the Holy Prophet (sa) prayed for him in the following manner:
اَللّٰہُمَّ اسْتَجِبْ لِسَعْدٍ اِذَا دَعَا
‘O Allah! Accept the prayer of Sa‘d whenever he prays to you.’”
In Ikmaal fi Asma ir-Rijaal, it is written that the Holy Prophet (sa) prayed:
اَللّٰہُمَّ سَدِّدْ سَھْمَہٗ وَاَجِبْ دَعْوَتَہ
“O Allah! May Sa‘d’s arrow always land on its target and accept his prayers.”
(Roshan Sitarey az Ghulam Bari Saif Sahib, Vol. 2, pp. 67-68)
Owing to this prayer of the Holy Prophet (sa), Hazrat Sa‘d bin Abi Waqas (ra) was known for the acceptance of prayers.
(Al-Isabah fi Tamyeez al-Sahabah, Vol. 2, pp. 324-325, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2001)
Once, a person accused Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) of falsehood. Hazrat Sa‘d prayed, “O Allah! If he [i.e., the accuser] is lying, then relinquish him of his sight, may he live a long life and may he be struck with misfortune.” Thus, that individual endured all three of these things.
(Jami‘ al-Ulum wa al-Hakam fi Sharh Khamsin Hadithan min Jawami’il Kalam, Vol. 2, p. 350, Mu‘assisah al-Risalah, Beirut, 2001)
In one narration Qais bin Abi Hazim states:
“Once, I was going to the marketplace in Medina. When I reached Ahjar al-Zaid, I saw a large crowd had gathered around an individual on a mount who was cursing Hazrat Ali (ra). In the meantime, Hazrat Sa‘d bin Abi Waqas (ra) came and stood amongst the people and enquired about what was the cause of the commotion. The people replied that the individual was uttering profanities against Hazrat Ali (ra). The people gave way for Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) to move forwards until he stood right in front of the individual and asked him, ‘Why are you cursing Hazrat Ali (ra)? Did he not accept Islam from its inception? Was he not the first person to offer prayers alongside the Holy Prophet (sa)? Is he not the most pious amongst the people? Is he not the most knowledgeable amongst the people? Did the Holy Prophet (sa) not give his daughter’s hand in marriage to him, thereby granting him the honour of becoming his son-in-law? Was he not carrying the flag during the battles fought alongside the Holy Prophet (sa)?’”
The narrator further states:
“Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) then turned to face the Qiblah, and lifting his hands for prayer, he supplicated, ‘O Allah! If this individual has cursed one of the friends of Allah (i.e., Hazrat Ali (ra)) then make him a sign of Your Power before this crowd disperses.’”
This is a narration of Mustadrak and the narrator is Qais. He states, “By God! The crowd had not yet dispersed when the mount he was riding caused him to fall. It placed its feet on his head and stomped on his head and crushed it, causing his death.”
(Al-Mustadrak Ala al-Sahihain, Kitab Marifatu al-Sahabah, Bab Sa‘d bin Abi Waqas, Hadith 6121, Vol. 3, pp. 571-572, Dar-ul-Kutub Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002)
There is a similar account of Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) standing guard on the occasion of the Battle of the Ditch just as he spent the night standing guard immediately after the Holy prophet’s (sa) migration to Medina. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states:
“Hazrat Aisha (ra) narrates, ‘The Holy Prophet (sa) had become extremely tired from standing guard and keeping vigilant in the nights. The Holy Prophet (sa) would also stand on guard in the nights along with the other companions. When his body could no longer bear the intense cold temperature, the Holy Prophet (sa) would return and lay down beside me in a blanket and as soon as his body would become warm, he would return to guard the damaged part of the ditch. Having not slept continuously for many days, the Holy Prophet (sa) one day became extremely exhausted and wished some devoted Muslim would come [and relieve him of the physical labour of guarding the ditch in the cold of the night] and he could sleep in ease. Soon he heard a voice. It was Sa‘d bin Abi Waqas (ra). The Holy Prophet (sa) asked him why he had come. “To stand guard for you,” said Sa‘d (ra). “There is no need to stand guard for me,” said the Holy Prophet (sa). “A part of the ditch is damaged. Go and guard it so that the Muslims may be safe.” And so, Sa‘d (ra) went and the Holy Prophet (sa) was able to sleep for a short while.’”
(Dibacha Tafsir-ul-Quran, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 20, p. 279)