nor are their deeds—even if they are among the finest of people—when his Sunnah has been transmitted. Indeed, nothing may be attributed to him without evidence supporting that attribution.
For this reason, Companions such as Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, and Ibn Masʿūd would give opinions based on their own independent judgment. They might be correct and in agreement with his Sunnah, yet one of them would say:
“I offer my own opinion on this matter. If it is correct, it is from Allah; if it is mistaken, it is from me and from Satan, and Allah and His Messenger are free of it.”
For whatever conflicts with his Sunnah is either an abrogated law or an altered one. Nevertheless, scholars who exercise independent judgment are rewarded even when their opinions are mistaken, and their errors are forgiven.
When any of the Companions wished to supplicate for himself, he would face the direction of prayer and supplicate in the Prophet’s mosque, just as they used to do during his lifetime. They did not deliberately seek to supplicate beside the chamber, nor would any of them enter it to approach the grave. Greeting the Prophet with peace has been prescribed for Muslims in every prayer, and also whenever they enter a mosque, whichever mosque it may be.
As for the first kind, in every prayer the worshipper says:
“Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings.”
Then he says:
“Peace be upon us and upon Allah’s righteous servants.”
The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
“When you say this, it reaches every righteous servant of Allah in heaven and on earth.”
Thus, Muslims have been instructed in every prayer to greet the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, specifically, and Allah’s righteous servants among the angels, humankind, and jinn generally.
In the two Sahīhs, Ibn Masʿūd is reported to have said:
“We used to say while praying behind the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: ‘Peace be upon so-and-so and so-and-so.’ The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: ‘Allah is al-Salām (the Source of Peace), so when