The Merit of Praying for Others Behind Their Backs

"Whenever a Muslim supplicates for his (Muslim) brother in his absence, the angels say: `May the same be for you too'.'' {Muslim}

It was Thursday night. Fatima {R} was facing the Kaaba, praying to her Lord, while her little son sat beside her, listening carefully. 

In spite of his age he watched every movement of his mother, standing, bending, prostrating. He heard her pray for every Muslim man and woman by name. She prayed that they be blessed with honour, contentment, goodness and piety. 

Now he wanted to hear what she would ask for herself.

He kept awake for as long as she prayed, only to hear what she would ask for herself.

The night passed and the new day dawned. Hassan {R} asked his mother Fatima {R} why she did not pray for herself at all, and kept praying for others all night.

His mother answered, “My dear son! First come your neighbours and friends, then your home (family), and then yourself.”

This is a good lesson to learn because Prophet Muhammad {S} had said:

"Whenever a Muslim supplicates for his (Muslim) brother in his absence, the angels say: `May the same be for you too'.'' {Muslim}

What may appear puzzling to some people is made simple by the above hadith because by praying for all those people, angels have invariably repeated the same prayers for her. 

Indirectly, she made a better prayer for herself—prayers from the mouth of the angels.

May AllahSWT put the love of others in our hearts. Aameen

Reference: Daastaan e Raastaan by Sheikh Murtadha Mutahhari