Are the supplication and request mentioned in the Hadith: "Who is it that calls upon Me, so that I may answer him? Who is it that asks of Me, so that I may grant him?" intended to mean supplication for the good of both this world and the Hereafter? Is the request the same as the supplication? What is the wisdom behind expressing it with "calls upon Me" and "asks of Me"? Is this restricted to night prayer or to the last third of the night in general? Is it permissible to mention a specific shortcoming when seeking forgiveness?
Our Lord, the Blessed and Exalted, descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, and says: "Who will call upon Me that I may answer him? Who will ask Me that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness that I may forgive him?" Other additions have been reported in various narrations, such as: "Is there any repentant person that I may accept his repentance?" and "Who is it that seeks provision from Me that I may provide for him? Who is it that seeks relief from harm that I may relieve him of it?" Supplication at this time is absolutely desired, both inside and outside of prayer. The most elevated station is to combine prayer, supplication, and seeking forgiveness at this time. The wording of seeking forgiveness is absolute; it includes all its legitimate forms, whether general or specific to a particular sin.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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