A card with Du`a'

Q 2: A small card containing a Du`a' (supplication) and blessings sent over the Prophet (peace be upon him) was distributed in Al-Haram-ul-Makky by a person who keeps placing such cards on the shelves or distributing them among people in Al-Haram. I have obtained one of these cards after the said person put it in front of me.The Du`a' contained in this card reads: "Bismillah Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim [In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful], O Allah! Send peace and blessings upon our master Muhammad (peace be upon him) by virtue of which I am granted self-confidence, contentment; my task is eased for me; my aims fulfilled; my sins forgiven; my mention exalted; my afflictions removed; my distresses relieved; my poverty turned into richness; my life prolonged and my grave enlightened.

A: This card in which Salah (Prayer) over the Prophet (peace be upon him) is mentioned in such a manner is innovated, and neither the Qur'an nor the Sunnah of the Prophet provide evidence to support it. Subsequently, it should be neglected and should not be recited, as the Hadith reported on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Anyone who introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it will have it rejected. (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim), and this is the exact wording of the narration reported in Sahih Al-Bukhari. Invoking peace and blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) is a kind of Du`a' which, in turn, is considered `Ibadah (worship). In light of this, it should be said that all worships are Tawqifiy (bound by a religious text and not amenable to personal opinion) i.e. they are not practiced unless there is evidence from the Qur'an or the Sunnah in their support. Related to that is the Hadith reported on the authority of Ka`b ibn `Ujrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the Companions asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) how they could pray for him (Part No. 2; Page No. 213) he said, "Say 'O, Allah! Send prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim.You are indeed the Praiseworthy and the Glorious. O Allah! Bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed the Praiseworthy and the Glorious. (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).It is therefore incumbent upon a Muslim to restrict himself to the authentic supplications, as all goodness is to be found in them, and to avert others which are groundless in terms of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet. Indeed, that is better in order to protect one's religion.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.