118 / Among the Morning Remembrances

One of the great and beneficial supplications that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) consistently observed every morning is the one authentically reported in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad and the Sunan of Ibn Mājah, in the hadith of Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her): When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed the dawn prayer, upon concluding it with the salutation, he would say: “O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, wholesome provision, and deeds that are accepted.”1.

Anyone who reflects upon this great supplication will find that saying it at this time, after the dawn prayer, is entirely fitting. Dawn marks the beginning and opening of the day, and a Muslim aspires to nothing during his day but the attainment of the great objectives and noble aims mentioned in this hadith: beneficial knowledge, wholesome provision, and accepted deeds. It is as though, by beginning his day with these three matters in particular, he is defining his objectives and aims for the day. There is no doubt that this better focuses a person’s heart and brings greater discipline to his course and conduct. This is unlike someone who enters the morning without being conscious of the objectives, aims, and purposes he intends to pursue that day.

We find that those concerned with education and proper conduct recommend setting objectives for every task a person undertakes and every path he follows. This is more conducive to achieving his objectives, safer from distraction and confusion, and better able to keep his course and work disciplined. There can be no doubt that one who proceeds according to clearly defined objectives and specific aims is more complete, disciplined, and secure than one who proceeds without defining his objectives or specifying his aims.

A Muslim’s only aspiration throughout his entire day—indeed, throughout all his days—is to