Question

What is the source of this Hadith?

يكفي من الدعاء مع البر ما يكفي الطعام من الملح

“That much of supplication is sufficient with righteousness as food is in need of salt.”

Answer

This narration is recorded in Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah and Kitabuz Zuhd of Imam Ahmad as the statement of Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “Together with righteousness, a [small] amount of du’a is sufficient, just as a [small] amount of salt is sufficient for food.”

(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 29882, Kitabuz Zuhd: 789)

This narration explains that du’a is an extremely powerful tool and a short time spent in making du’a is sufficient if a person is preoccupied with other good deeds.

(Refer: Shu’abul Iman: 1109)

Also see here

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar,

Du’a is indeed a great form of worship in itself. My Beloved Father (rahimahullah) would recommend that – in addition to making formal du’a at the times of acceptance etc.- one should develop the habit of making du’a all the time in one’s heart. This is like speaking to Allah Ta’ala continuously.