Section: Issues Pertaining to Supplication

1496 – Usāmah ibn Zayd, may Allah be pleased with them both, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever has a favor done for him and then says to the one who performed it, ‘Jazāk Allāhu khayran (may Allah reward you with goodness),’ has conveyed the fullest praise.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhī, who classified it as ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ.

Explanation

This chapter gathers a number of points drawn from the different types of supplication. Among them is the ḥadith of Usāmah ibn Zayd in which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever is shown a kindness and says, ‘Jazāk Allāhu khayran,’ has offered the most complete praise.”

If someone shows you a kindness—whether through wealth, assistance, knowledge, influence, advocacy, or anything similar—the Prophet commanded that you repay the doer of good, saying, “Whoever does you a favor, recompense him.” The form of recompense varies with circumstances. For some people you repay them by giving the like of what they gave—or even more. For others the proper recompense is to pray for them, for they would not welcome monetary repayment.

A prominent person who possesses ample wealth, status, and honor among his people, for example—if he presents you with a gift and you give him back something identical, he will see that as falling short of what is due to him. For someone like that, pray to Allah on his behalf. And if you find nothing with which to requite him, then continue praying for him until you feel that you have fulfilled your duty of gratitude.