Tafsir of Ash-Shu`ara' 26:85

The meaning of inheriting Paradise has already passed, so recall it. One might infer from his—peace be upon him—supplication for this, after the prayers that preceded it, that righteous deeds do not necessitate entry into Paradise, and likewise, neither does a servant’s status in the sight of Allah, the Exalted and Majestic. Otherwise, he—peace be upon him—would have sufficed with seeking perfection in knowledge and action, or seeking to be joined with the righteous who possess proximity to Him, the Exalted, rather than requesting this. You know that elaboration is appropriate in the station of supplication, and one does not suffice with a necessitated thing (malzum) over its necessary consequence (lazim) in speech. Thus, it is better to infer that from evidence other than what was mentioned, as such evidence is abundant and well-known. Furthermore, in some reports, there is that which indicates the greater virtue of these supplications.

Ibn Abi al-Dunya in al-Dhikr and Ibn Marduwayh narrated via al-Hasan, from Samurah ibn Jundub, who said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "When a servant performs ablution for an obligatory prayer and perfects the ablution, then leaves the door of his house intending the mosque and says upon leaving: 'In the name of Allah who created me, and He guides me,' Allah, the Exalted, guides him to what is correct—the wording of Ibn Marduwayh is 'to the correctness of deeds.' 'And it is He who feeds me and gives me drink,' Allah, the Exalted, feeds him from the food of Paradise and gives him to drink from the drink of Paradise. 'And when I am ill, it is He who cures me,' Allah cures him and makes his illness an expiation for his sins. 'And who will cause me to die and then bring me to life,' Allah grants him the life of the blessed and causes him to die the death of the martyrs. 'And who I aspire will forgive me my sin on the Day of Recompense,' Allah, the Exalted, forgives him all his sins, even if they were like the foam of the sea. 'My Lord, grant me authority and join me with the righteous,' Allah grants him authority and joins him with the righteous of those who have passed and those who remain. 'And grant me a reputation of honor among the later generations,' it is written on a white parchment that 'So-and-so, son of so-and-so, is among the truthful,' and Allah then grants him success in truthfulness thereafter. 'And make me among the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss,' Allah, the Exalted, provides for him palaces and dwellings in Paradise." Al-Hasan—may Allah be pleased with him—used to add to it: "And forgive my parents, as they raised me when I was small." It is as if he derived it from His saying [the verse].