79 – Sawwar ibn ʿAbd Allah al-ʿAnbarī narrated to us; Yaḥyā ibn ʿUmar ibn Shaddād al-Taymī, a client of the Banū Taym ibn Murrah, narrated to me. He said:

“Sufyān ibn ʿUyaynah once said to me—at a time when I had tried to join a military expedition but failed and had spent everything I possessed. When news of my situation reached him he came to see me, for he had long known me through frequent companionship. He said, ‘Do not grieve over what has eluded you. Know that had any provision been allotted to you, it would certainly have reached you.

‘Rejoice, for you are upon goodness! Do you know who has prayed for you?’ I replied, ‘Who has prayed for me?’ He said, ‘The bearers of the Throne have prayed for you; the Prophet of Allah, Noah, has prayed for you—yes indeed—and the Friend of Allah, Abraham, has prayed for you.’ I asked, ‘Have all of them really prayed for me?’ He answered, ‘Yes—and Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, has prayed for you as well.’

“I said, ‘Where did all of them pray for me?’ He replied, ‘In the Book of Allah. Have you not heard His words: “Those who bear the Throne and those around it exalt Him with praise of their Lord, believe in Him, and seek forgiveness for those who believe” (Q 40:7)?’

“I asked, ‘Where did the Prophet of Allah, Noah, pray for me?’ He said, ‘Have you not heard His words: “My Lord, forgive me, my parents, whoever enters my house as a believer, and all the believing men and believing women” (Q 71:28)?’

“I asked, ‘Where did the Friend of Allah, Abraham, pray for me?’ He said, ‘Have you not heard: “Our Lord, forgive me, my parents, and the believers on the Day when the reckoning is established” (Q 14:41)?’

“I asked, ‘Where did Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—pray for me?’ He shook his head and then said, ‘Have you not listened to Allah’s words: “Seek forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and believing women” (Q 47:19)? The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was more obedient to Allah, more loyal, compassionate, and merciful toward his community than to be commanded to do something and then fail to carry it out.’”