Riyad as-Salihin - On the recommendation to perform the prostration of gratitude when one obtains a blessing or an affliction is averted

Riyad as-Salihin (The Meadows of the Righteous)

by Imam Nawawi

211. Chapter: On the recommendation to perform the prostration of gratitude when one obtains a blessing or an affliction is averted

1159. Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas said, "We went out with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, from Makka, making for Madina. When we were near 'Azwaza', he dismounted and lifted his hands and made supplication to Allah for a time and then he went down into prostration and remained there for a long time. Then he stood and raised his hands for a long time and then went down into prostration again. He did that three times. He said, 'I asked my Lord and interceded for my community, and He gave me a third of my community. So I went down into prostration to my Lord out of gratitude. Then I lifted my head and asked my Lord for my community and He gave me another third of my community. I went down into prostration to my Lord out of gratitude. Then I lifted my head and asked my Lord for my community and He gave me the last third of my community so I again went down into prostration to my Lord." [Abu Dawud]