The Muslim Is Forgiven Whilst He Sleeps
Umm ad-Dardaa’ said, “Abud-Dardaa’ stood up one night to pray. He was weeping while saying, ‘O Allah! You perfected my physical form, so perfect my character!’ until morning.
I said, ‘O Abud-Dardaa’, your only supplication for the entire night was for good character!’
He replied, ‘O Umm ad-Dardaa’- the Muslim perfects his character until his good character takes him to Paradise. And he corrupts his character until his bad character takes him to the Fire. The Muslim is forgiven while he is asleep.’
I asked, ‘O Abud-Dardaa’, how can a Muslim be forgiven while he is asleep?’
He said, ‘His brother wakes up at night and performs tahajjud and supplicates and is answered. He supplicates for his Muslim brother and his request is answered.’”
[al-Adab al-Mufrad, #290]
This is in accordance with the hadith where the prophet PBUH said, “The supplication of a Muslim for his brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Every time he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this particular task says: `Ameen! May it be for you, too.” [Muslim].
Surah Isra 17 verse 80 says: “O my Lord! let my entry be by the Gate of Truth and Honor and likewise my exit by the Gate of Truth and Honor; and grant me from Thy Presence an authority to aid (me).”
Ameen.
Al-Tirmidhi HadithHadith 2482 Narrated by AbuHurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) used to say, ” O Allah, grant me benefit in what Thou hast taught me, teach me what will benefit me, and increase my knowledge. Praise be to Allah in all circumstances. I seek refuge in Allah from the state of those who go to Hell.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a tradition whose isnad is Gharib.