How should a believer pray for another believer?

Dear Brother / Sister,

One of the acceptable prayers is the prayer that a believer says in the absence of another believer. For, the person who prays like that has no material interest or expectation while doing so. Therefore, he is sincere. The prayer will inshallah be accepted since he has no expectation and since he thinks of his believing brother only and prays for his needs. Besides, the Prophet (pbuh) said, “He does not refuse the prayer of a person who prays to Him.”

The points to be taken into consideration while praying (supplicating):

When a person wants to offer supplications, he should be purified spiritually by seeking forgiveness; then he should recite benedictions (salawat) for the Prophet (pbuh), an acceptable prayer, for intercession; and following his supplication he should again recite the salawat. For a prayer offered between two such acceptable prayers itself becomes acceptable.

* Praying for another without their knowledge,

* the traditional supplications and prayers in the Qur’an and Hadiths. For example,

“O Allah! I beseech You to bestow forgiveness and well-being on me and on so-and-so in religion, this world, and the hereafter.” (an-Nawawi, al-Adhkar, 74; al-Hakim, al-Mustadrak, 1: 517.)

“O our Sustainer! Give us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and defend us from the torment of the Fire.” (al-Baqara, 2/201)

* General supplications like these when offered sincerely and with humility and tranquility of heart,

* and following the five daily prayers, and the morning prayer in particular,

* and in holy places, and mosques in particular,

* and on Fridays, and particularly during “the hour when prayers are answered;”,

* and during the three months of Rajab, Sha‘ban, and Ramadan,

* and in Ramadan and on the well-known holy nights.

It is hoped from divine mercy that such supplications will be accepted.

The results of such acceptable prayers are either seen in this world exactly as requested, or they are accepted in respect of the eternal life in the hereafter of the one who offered them. That is to say, if what was sought does not occur exactly as wished, it should not be said that ‘the prayer was not accepted’, but that it was accepted in a better form. (see Badiuzzaman Said Nursi, Mektubat, p. 279)

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