Although the transmitted supplications encompass the sum of all good, all that is needed, the highest of lofty aims, and the noblest of sound aspirations, you nevertheless find many people turning away from them and desiring others instead. They may even prefer other supplications to them. Some adopt a particular litany composed by one of the shaykhs, adhering to it, observing it faithfully, attaching great importance to it, and giving it precedence over the transmitted supplications and the authentic, established litanies of the noble Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Such people are among those who stray furthest from the straight path.

Shaykh al-Islām, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “Among the most blameworthy of people is one who adopts a litany that is not transmitted from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace—even if it is the litany of one of the shaykhs—while abandoning the Prophetic litanies recited by the master of Adam’s descendants, the leader of the messengers, and Allah’s proof against His servants.”1

The eminent scholar al-Mu'allimī, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “...How ruinous is the bargain of one who abandons the supplications established in the Book of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, or in the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and scarcely ever supplicates with them, yet turns to other supplications, deliberately seeking them out and observing them regularly. Is this not injustice and transgression?”2

All good lies in following the noble Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, being guided by his guidance, following in his footsteps, and adhering to his path. He is the exemplar for his nation and their excellent model. Of all people, he remembered Allah most perfectly and supplicated Him in the finest manner—Glory be to Him.