Chapter: The Virtue of Supplicating for One’s Brother in His Absence

Allah the Exalted says, “And those who came after them say, ‘Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith.’” (Q 59:10)

He also says, “Seek forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and believing women.” (Q 47:19)

And He relates about Abraham, peace be upon him: “Our Lord, forgive me, my parents, and the believers on the Day the Reckoning is established.” (Q 14:41)

Imam al-Nawawi—may Allah have mercy on him—entitled a chapter in his Riyad al-Salihin, “The Excellence of Supplicating for Someone in His Absence.” Praying for your brother while he is away is a clear sign of genuine faith, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” Thus, when you make supplication for your brother without his requesting it, this proves that you love him and that you desire for him the same good you desire for yourself.

The author, may Allah have mercy on him, supported this with three verses from the Book of Allah, among them His words addressed to the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—“Seek forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and believing women.” Allah commanded His Prophet to ask forgiveness for his own sin and to ask forgiveness for the believing men and believing women. There are many hadiths mentioning the Prophet seeking forgiveness for his own sin, and we also know that he sought forgiveness for the believers because he was instructed to do so.

The phrase “seek forgiveness for your sin” means: ask Allah, the Glorified, to forgive and cover your sin. The Arabic term maghfirah (forgiveness) conveys both concealing the sin and pardoning it; this is evident from its etymology, for it is derived from mighfar, the well-known iron helmet that protects and conceals the head in battle from arrows. Likewise, Allah says, “And those who came after them say, ‘Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who…’”