Q 2: What is your opinion on adding the phrase: "We seek His Guidance" in the prelude of speech : (Part No. 24; Page No. 211) upon saying: "Praise be to Allah, we praise Him..."? Which is the most appropriate?

A: This phrase (We seek His Guidance) was not authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) or mentioned by Hadith scholars in the Hadith concerning Khutbat Al-Hajah (prelude to a Khutbah [sermon] or speech). Rather, what is authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) as regards Khutbat Al-Hajah in accordance with the narrations of the Hadith Compilers such as Imam Muslim, Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Al-Nasa'y, Ibn Majah and Al-Darimy, and the narration of Ahmad on the authority of `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud from the Prophet (peace be upon him): The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) taught us Khutbat Al-Hajah: Praise be to Allah, we seek His Help and Forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of our own souls and bad deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides aright is never to be led astray, and whomsoever Allah leads astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger). Then he used to recite three Ayahs (Qur'anic verses): O you who believe! Fear Allâh (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. [Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always] .. the narration of Muslim on the authority of Ibn `Abbas reads : Praise be to Allah, we praise Him and seek His Help. Whomsoever Allah guides aright is never to be led astray, and whomsoever Allah leads astray, none can guide, to continue.. The Hadith was narrated by the rest of the Imams with the same wording.May Allah grant us success. May peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!