Maqil bin Yasar (ra) said that he came to the Prophet (ﷺ) with Abu Bakr (ra). He said, "O Abu Bakr, polytheism enters your people more quietly (secretly) than the movement of ants." Abu Bakr asked, "Is there a kind of polytheism besides associating anything with Allah?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said," By him who has my life in his power, polytheism is more concealed than the movement of ants. Shall I not teach you something which if you say will eliminate minor or major (polytheism)?" He then said, "Say `O Allah! I seek refuge in you lest I associate anything with you while I know it, and I seek your forgiveness for what I do not know.’"
حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللهِ، عَنِ مُبَارَكِ بْنِ حَسَّانَ، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: سُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم: أَيُّ الْعِبَادَةِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ: دُعَاءُ الْمَرْءِ لِنَفْسِهِ.
'A'isha said, "The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
was asked, 'Which type of worship is best?' He replied, 'A man's supplication
for himself.'"
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ ذَرٍّ، عَنْ يُسَيْعَ، عَنِ النُّعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: إِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ، ثُمَّ قَرَأَ: {ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ}.
An-Nu'man ibn Bashir reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace, said, "Supplication is worship.' Then he recited,
'Call on Me and I will answer you.'"
