1159/1 - Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We left Makkah with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) heading to Madīnah. When we approached ‘Azwarā’, he dismounted, raised his hands in supplication to Allah for a while then fell in prostration. He remained in prostration for a long time, after which he sat up and raised his hands for a while then fell in prostration and remained in that position for a long time. He did this three times. Then, he said: “I supplicated to my Lord and interceded for my Ummah and He granted me one-third of them. So, I fell in prostration in gratitude to my Lord. Then, I raised my head and supplicated to my Lord for my Ummah and He granted me another third of them. So, I fell in prostration in gratitude to my Lord. Then, I raised my head and supplicated to my Lord for my Ummah and He granted me the last third of them. So, I fell in prostration to my Lord.” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd] [1]
‘Azwarā’: a place near Makkah.
1) It is legitimate to offer a prostration of gratitude upon the occurrence of a blessing or relief from an affliction.
2) It was the Prophet’s guidance to supplicate Allah Almighty and turn to Him in a persistent manner. Whoever knocks with supplication on the door of His Lord, his supplication is hoped to be answered.