in rank is the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family and grant him peace. His Companions knew his commands and his rank better than anyone and were the most obedient to him. Yet he never instructed any of them, in moments of alarm and fear, to say, “O my master, O Messenger of Allah!” Nor did they do so during his lifetime or after his death. Rather, he instructed them to remember Allah, supplicate to Him, and invoke blessings and peace upon him, may Allah bless him and his family and grant him peace.

Allah Most High says:

“Those to whom people said, ‘The people have gathered against you, so fear them,’ only increased in faith and said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Protector.’

“So they returned with blessings and bounty from Allah, untouched by harm. They pursued Allah’s pleasure, and Allah is the Possessor of immense bounty.”

In Sahīh al-Bukhārī, Ibn ʿAbbās, may Allah be pleased with them both, reported that Abraham, peace be upon him, said these words when he was cast into the fire. Muhammad, may Allah bless him and his family and grant him peace—meaning he and his Companions—also said them when people told them, “The people have gathered against you.”

It is reported in al-Sahīh that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family and grant him peace, would say in times of distress:

“There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, the Magnificent, the Forbearing. There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, Lord of the noble Throne. There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, Lord of the heavens and the earth and Lord of the mighty Throne.”

It has also been reported that he taught a similar supplication to some members of his household. In the Sunan, it is reported that whenever the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family and grant him peace, was beset by a difficulty, he would say:

“O Ever-Living, O Sustainer of all, I seek help through Your mercy.”

It is also reported that he taught his daughter Fātimah to say:

“O Ever-Living, O Sustainer of all, O Originator of the heavens and the earth, there is no god but You. I seek help through Your mercy.