When we come across someone in our daily life, whether physically or through a message or memory, one of the most beloved responses is to turn that encounter into a prayer immediately.

This practice helps ward off jealousy and cultivates genuine goodwill.

Rather than comparing yourself, envying their blessings, or remaining indifferent, make it your instant habit to say, “Allahumma barik lahu” (O Allah, bless them in that).

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ highlighted something extraordinary about making dua for your brother or sister without them knowing,

Allah sends a special angel who hears your dua, says “Ameen,” and then adds, “And may you receive the same blessing.”

In other words, the very favor you ask for someone else is asked for you, too, but by an angel!

Think about that for a moment.

You pray for your friend's financial success, and an angel immediately says, "And may you succeed too."

You pray for the stranger you pass who looks sad, and an angel whispers, “And may you be granted happiness too.”

So when you make that dua, imagine the angel descending in that very moment, its wings enfolding you in a gentle embrace, and praying for you just as you prayed for them.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal maintained a list of people for whom he would pray each night.

He once remarked that he felt more confident in his prayers being accepted when he made them for others rather than for himself.

When we make dua for others, there is no ego or risk of muddled intentions involved, which makes these prayers exceptionally pure and powerful.

The Psychology of Selfless Prayer

This practice isn’t just spiritually powerful, it’s backed by psychology.

Much like the Buddhist “metta” (loving-kindness) meditation, which decades of research show raises empathy, increases compassion, and reduces jealousy, regularly praying for others trains your mind to swap comparison for genuine goodwill.

Loving-kindness techniques have been used clinically to ease depression, support addiction recovery, and even help repair the neural and emotional toll of substance abuse.

“Metta” is simply offering dua for everyone, starting with your loved ones, then acquaintances, then strangers or those you find difficult, each prayer infused with the same depth of genuine love and compassion you have for those you love.

That’s why we open our dua by sending blessings on the Prophet ﷺ: by pouring out to our greatest love first, we carry that sincere emotion into every dua that follows.

Over time, this habit gives rise to what Buddhists call “mudita,” or sympathetic joy, a deep, infectious happiness we feel when we witness another’s success.

As your capacity for this love grows, you’ll notice a constant undercurrent of joy, energy, and positivity in your life.

That radiant openness draws people to you: there’s something uniquely magnetic about someone who celebrates others and feels their happiness as their own.

Making This a Daily Habit

1. Make it automatic. Whenever you see or think of someone, offer a quick dua for them:

   • Saw vacation photos? “May Allah bless their time.”

   • Heard they’re unwell? “May Allah grant them healing.”
     Treat every person who crosses your path, or your mind, as a gift from Allah, appointed for you to pray for.

2. Start where you are. If your first intention is to earn acceptance for your prayers, that’s perfectly fine. Begin with whatever intention you have. In time, you’ll feel genuine joy in others’ good fortune, and their blessings will become your own.

3. Keep a prayer list. Follow Imam Aḥmad’s example by jotting down names: family, friends, colleagues, and even those you struggle with. A simple list ensures no one is forgotten.

4. Customize your duas. Tailor each prayer to what they need: relief from anxiety, clarity in work, patience with their children. As angels whisper, “And for you the same,” you indirectly cover every aspect of your own life.

5. Push through hesitation. If you hesitate to pray for someone in an area you’re struggling with yourself, lean in. Trust that Allah’s mercy is abundant and that your generosity of spirit only magnifies your own share of blessings.

Imagine that every time you hear someone’s good news, big or small, your heart swells with genuine happiness.

Picture the freedom of celebrating each person’s journey, seeing an entire universe of potential in every soul you meet.

Life becomes richer and more expansive, and the barakah you pour onto others returns to you in countless ways, even beyond the angels’ “Ameen.”

You’ll notice unexpected doors opening, quiet moments of peace, and an ever-deepening sense of connection to Allah and those around you.