in the least, and so on. Or he might speak of one of the Prophet’s traits, saying, “The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—was the most God-fearing and the most devout of all people.” He mentions him, then invokes blessings upon him, and everyone present who listens receives the same reward. In this way the gathering becomes an occasion for remembering Allah and for sending blessings upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

Better still is that, right from the moment he sits down, he begins with words such as: mā shāʾa-llāh (whatever Allah wills [comes to pass]), lā quwwata illā bi-llāh (there is no power nor might except with Allah), lā ilāha illā-llāh (there is no god but Allah), and similar phrases. The point is that an intelligent person knows how to remember Allah and to bless the Prophet ﷺ in any meeting.

Likewise, when the session ends and he rises to leave, he should say: subḥānaka-llāhumma wa bi ḥamdik, ash-hadu an lā ilāha illā anta, astaghfiruka wa atūbu ilayk (Glory and praise be to You, O Allah; I bear witness that there is no god but You; I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You).

These three hadiths therefore show that a Muslim should not let a single gathering—or even a moment of reclining—pass without remembering Allah, so that he may be among those of whom Allah says: “those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides.”