blessing the sneezer and returning the greeting. The report is understood as meaning that he may choose from (14) the transmitted supplications and what is similar to them.

Section: As for supplication with that through which one draws near to Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, which is not transmitted and is not intended for the delights of this world, the apparent meaning of al-Khiraqi’s statement and a group of our companions is that it is not permissible, and the words of Ahmad may bear this interpretation; because of his saying (15): “But he should supplicate with what has been transmitted and with what he knows.” Ibn al-Mundhir narrated from him that he said: “There is no harm if a man supplicates for all his needs, both of his worldly affairs and his hereafter.” This is the correct view, if Allah the Almighty wills, because of the apparent meaning of the Hadiths. For the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Then let him choose from the supplications,” and his saying: “Then let him supplicate (16) for himself with what occurs to him,” and his saying: “Then let him supplicate (16) afterwards with what he wishes.” It was narrated from Anas that he said: Umm Sulaym came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, teach me a supplication I may use in my prayer.” He said: “Praise Allah ten times, glorify Allah ten times, then ask for what you wish.” He says: “Yes, yes, yes.” Reported by al-Athram. Also, because the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to supplicate in their prayers with things they had not been taught, yet the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not rebuke them. This is why when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to the man: “What do you say in your prayer?” he replied: “I recite the Tashahhud, then I ask Allah for Paradise and I seek refuge in Him from the Fire.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) approved of him in that supplication of his, even though he had not taught it to him. And when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “As for the prostration, increase your supplication in it” (17), he did not specify for them what they should supplicate with, which indicates (18) that he permitted all supplication for them, except for what has been excluded by evidence in the section preceding this. It has been narrated from Aisha that whenever she recited: {So Allah favored us and protected us from the punishment of the scorching fire} (19), she would say: “Favor us, and protect us from the punishment of the scorching fire” (20).