The Promised Messiah(as) states in Malfuzat July 9th 1900:
“Remember that sympathy is of three kinds: physical, financial, and prayer. In the third form, one neither spends wealth nor undertakes physical effort. The scope and grace of this form of sympathy are immense.
A person can only offer physical sympathy if they possess the strength to do so. For example, if a wounded person lies helpless and in pain, how can someone without strength carry and assist him? Likewise, if a person is destitute and hungry, one cannot help financially without possessing wealth.
However, sympathy through prayer requires neither wealth nor physical strength. As long as one is human, one can pray for others and benefit them. Its grace is vast. If a person neglects this form of sympathy, they are truly unfortunate.
In physical and financial sympathy, a person is bound by limitations, but there are no such limits in prayer. One should not exclude even enemies from their prayers. The broader the scope of one’s prayer, the greater the benefit for the supplicant. The more miserly one is in prayer, the more distant they become from Allah. Limiting the vast mercy of God reflects weakness in faith.”
The Recipe for a Long Life
A remarkable benefit of praying for others is the prolongation of one’s life. Allah the Exalted promises in the Holy Quran that those who benefit others are granted lasting impact:
“As to that which benefits mankind, it remains on the earth.” wa ammā mā yanfaʿu n-nāsa fa-yamkuthu fī l-arḍi. (Ar Ra’d 13:18)
Since other forms of sympathy are limited, the most enduring and continuous aid is prayer. Through it, one can constantly benefit humanity. From this verse, we learn that the greatest and most universal benefit can be derived through prayer.
It is true that the life of one who benefits others is prolonged, while one who spreads harm is removed sooner. It is narrated that Sher Singh, who cruelly roasted birds alive, was killed within two years of coming to power.
Therefore, every person must reflect on how to embody the principle: khayru n-nāsi man yanfaʿu n-nās- The best of mankind is the one who benefits mankind.
Let prayer become a daily commitment, expansive in scope and sincere in spirit. Pray for all, beyond boundaries of self, kin, and even opposition. In doing so, one not only uplifts others but also draws nearer to Allah, becoming a lasting source of khayr and benefit for humanity.