1. Does reciting prayers upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) frequently (3000-4000 times daily) increase love and closeness to him and lead to seeing him in a dream, and is this act permissible and included in the general category of Dhikr (remembrance of God), and are there proofs supporting it? 2. How can one reconcile the Hadiths that emphasize the virtue of abundant Dhikr with the Hadith of Ibn Mas'ud, who disapproved of people counting Dhikr with pebbles?

The virtue of praying upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is immense. It is a cause for the forgiveness of sins and the dispelling of worries. The more a servant engages in it, the greater proximity they gain to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. For this reason, one should not specify a certain number for it that is not found in the Sacred Law, nor adhere to a specific method or a determined time without evidence. Innovating such specifications is blameworthy and leads to misguidance. Furthermore, increasing in it enhances the servant's love for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and brings them closer to him.

Citing the hadith of Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, who reproached a group of people for remembering Allah with specific numbers and in an unprescribed manner, confirms that innovations in remembrance or acts of worship in general—whether by specifying a certain number or adhering to a specific method—are misguidance, even if good is intended by them. Scholars have mentioned that an act of worship must be legislated in its origin, description, number, method, place, and time.