Supplication for Seeking Allah’s Love and Deeds That Lead to His Love

Short answer

This supplication appears in the narration of Abu al-Darda’ RA, al-Tirmidhi no. 3490. al-Tirmidhi graded it hasan gharib, but al-Albani graded it daif. This review selects the grading Daif because Abdullah bin Rabi‘ah al-Dimashqi is a majhul narrator. The meaning of the supplication is good and it may be used as a general supplication.

Translation

“Among the supplications of Dawud was: O Allah, I ask You for Your love, the love of those who love You, and deeds that will bring me to Your love. O Allah, make Your love dearer to me than myself, my family, and cold water.”

Narrator

Abu al-Darda’ RA

Sources and scholars

al-Tirmidhi; al-Hakim al-Naysaburi; al-Bazzar; al-Mubarakfuri; Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani

Scholarly commentary

1. al-Tirmidhi, in Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Da‘awat, no. 3490, graded it hasan gharib.

2. al-Hakim, in al-Mustadrak, no. 3621, 2/470, graded its chain of transmission as sahih.

3. al-Bazzar, in al-Bahr al-Zakhkhar, no. 4089, 10/28, explained that he did not know this wording through any route other than that chain of transmission.

4. al-Mubarakfuri, in Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi, commentary on no. 3490, mentioned Abdullah bin Rabi‘ah bin Yazid al-Dimashqi as majhul, meaning a narrator whose standing is not sufficiently known.

5. al-Albani, in al-Silsilah al-Dha‘ifah, no. 1125, graded it daif. Therefore, the claim that he authenticated this narration is inaccurate.

Explanation

1. Does this wording have a source?

Yes. It is narrated in Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi no. 3490 as a supplication of Prophet Dawud AS, related by Prophet Muhammad SAW. The Companion who narrated it is Abu al-Darda’ RA.

2. Why was the grading Daif selected?

Its chain of transmission passes through Abdullah bin Rabi‘ah al-Dimashqi, who was graded majhul. Information about his reliability as a narrator is insufficient to establish this chain as sahih. This assessment differs from al-Tirmidhi’s grading of hasan gharib; that difference should be stated fairly.

3. May this supplication be recited?

It is permissible to supplicate with a good meaning: asking for Allah’s love and help in performing deeds. However, the status of the chain of transmission must be distinguished from the permissibility of reciting a supplication. One should not claim that this wording is sahih without explaining the difference of opinion in its grading.

4. Is there a specific number or time?

The narration being asked about does not establish a number of recitations, a specific time, or a promise of any particular reward. Such specifications should not be added in the name of hadith.

Conclusion

Status: Daif because the narrator Abdullah bin Rabi‘ah al-Dimashqi is majhul. al-Tirmidhi graded it hasan gharib, whereas al-Albani graded it daif. Its wording may be used as a good general supplication.