Ruling on Mentioning Someone’s Name in Prayer Supplication
The Egyptian Dar Al-Ifta clarifies the Islamic ruling on mentioning a person’s name during prayer.
The Egyptian Dar Al-Ifta responded to a question asking about the ruling on mentioning someone’s name while supplicating during prayer. The inquirer said: Some people have been kind to me—may I mention them by name when I pray for them during salah?
Dar Al-Ifta stated on its official website:
There is no religious objection to praying for someone by name during salah, whether it is an obligatory or voluntary prayer. Supplication is one of the highest forms of worship, as Allah commanded believers to call upon Him humbly and sincerely.
Jurisprudential Views on Non-Traditional Supplications
Dar Al-Ifta cited several Qur’anic verses affirming the virtue of supplication:
“When My servants ask you about Me, I am indeed near. I respond to the supplication of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.” (Al-Baqarah: 186)
“Call upon your Lord humbly and privately; indeed, He does not like transgressors.” (Al-A‘raf: 55)
It also referenced the Prophet Muhammad’s saying ﷺ:
“Supplication is worship.” (Narrated by the authors of the Sunan and Al-Hakim)
The institution concluded that mentioning someone by name in prayer does not contradict humility or devotion, as long as the supplication is sincere and within the bounds of proper etiquette.
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