Remembrances for Leaving the Prayer, Entering the Mosque, and Leaving It
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137 / Remembrances for Setting Out for Prayer, Entering the Mosque, and Leaving It

It is authentically established in Sahīh Muslim, in a hadith narrated by Abd Allāh ibn Abbās—may Allah be pleased with him and his father—that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—set out for prayer while saying: “O Allah, place light in my heart and light upon my tongue. Place light in my hearing and light in my sight. Place light behind me and light before me. Place light above me and light beneath me. O Allah, grant me light.”1.

This hadith shows that it is prescribed to recite this supplication when setting out for the mosque. It consists entirely of asking Allah—the Mighty and Majestic—to place light in every outward and inward part of one’s being, to surround one with light on every side, and to make one’s entire being light. This is most fitting in view of what is authentically established in Sahīh Muslim: the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said, “Prayer is light.” 2 Prayer is light for the believer in this world, in the grave, and in the Hereafter. In another hadith, he—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Whoever faithfully maintains it will have light, proof, and salvation on the Day of Resurrection; but whoever does not faithfully maintain it will have neither light, proof, nor salvation on the Day of Resurrection.” Ahmad narrated it3. It is therefore eminently appropriate and entirely fitting that, as a Muslim sets out for the mosque to perform this prayer—which is light for the believer—he should ask Allah to increase his share of light throughout his entire body and to surround him with it on every side.